Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-12-13
Since that time the criminal business of the
federal courts and the expenses attending 1t
have enormously increased.
THE PENSION ROBBERY.

FEDERAL courts and the expenses attending IL
have enormously increased.
THE PENSION ROBBERY.
On the 3Oth day of June, 1898, there were on
the pension rolls 966Ol2 names, an increase
of 1924 over the number on the rolls June
30, 1892. or these there were II widows and
daughters of revolutionary soldiers; IS sur
vivors of the war of 1872; 5,425 widows OF sold
iers of that war; q ,5lS survivors and widows
of the Mexican war; 1882 survivors and wild
ows of Indian wars; 2S4 army nurses, and
756i5 survivors and widows and children of
deceased soldiers and sailors of the war of
the rebellion. The latter number represents
those pensioned on account of disabilities or
death resulting from army or naval service.
The number of persons remaining on the
rolls June 30, lS93 who were pensioned un-
der the act of June q, 1890, which allows pen
sions on account of death and disability not
chargeabe to army service was 459,l55. The
number added TO the rolls during the year
1854, and the number dropped was $500
The first payment on pensions allowed dur
ing the year amounted to $33, ,756,549. This in
cludes arrears, or the accumulation between
the time from which the allowance of pension
dates and the time of actually granting the
certificate. Although the law of 1890 permits
pensions for disabilities related to military
services, yet as "a requisite to its benefits
disability must exist incapacitating appli-
cants "from the performance of manual Ia
Dor to such degree as to render them un-
able to earn a support" The execution of
this law in its early stages does not seem to
have been in accord with its true intentions,
but toward the close of the last administra-
tion an authoritive construction was given
to the statute; and since that time this con-
struction has been followed. This has had
the effect of limiting the operation of the law
to its intended purpose.
l am unable to understand why frauds in
the pension rolls should not be exposed and
corrected with thoroughness and vigor.
Every name fraudulently put on these rolls
Is wicked imposition upon the kindly sem
timent in which pensions have their origin.
Those who attempt in the line of duty to rec
tify these wrongs should not be accused of
enmity or Indifference to the claims of hon.
est veterans The sum expended on account
OF pensions for the year ending June 30, 1893,
was $l56,740, ,467l4. The Commissioner esti-
mates that $l65,OOO,0OO will be required to pay
CIVIL SERVICE.
The continued intelligent execution of the
civil service law and the increasing approval
by the people of its operation, are most graft
flying. The recent extension of it limitations
and regulations to the employees at free de-
h..,
and promptly accomplished by the commits
sion,with the hearty cooperation of the Post
master General, is an immensely important
advance in the usefulness of The system. l
am, If possible, more than ever convinced of
the incalcuable benefits conferred by the
civil service law, not only in its effect upon
the public service, but also, what is even
more important in its effect in elevating the
tone of political life generally.
The course of civil service reform in this
country instinctively and Interestingly IL
1ustrates how strong hold movement
gains upon our people, which has underlying
it a sentiment of justice and right and which,
at the same time, promises better admins
tration of their government. The law en-
bodying this reform found its way to our
statute books more from fear of the popular
sentiment existing in its favor than from
any love for the reform itself on the part of
legislators and it has lived and grown and
flourished in spite of the covert as well as
open hostility of spoilsmen and notwith
standing the querulous impracticability of
many self constituted guardians
Economy in public expenditure is a duty
hot nj in Mt tlv ha a1la tod hvt 4 hos
intrusted with the control of money drawn
from the people for public uses. 1t must be
confessed that out of apparently endless re-
sources the familiarity of our people with
immense accumulations ofwealth; the grow
ing sentiment among them that the expen-
diture of public money should in some man.
ner be to their immediate personal advan-
tage. The indirect and almost stealthy man
ner in which large part of our taxes are
exacted and degenerated sense of official
accountability, have lead to growing extrav-
agances in governmental appropriations.
! At this time, when depleted public treas
ury confront IS us, when many of our people
are engaged in hard struggle for the neces-
sites of life, and when enforced economy is
pressing on the great mass of our country
men, desire TO urge, with all the earnestness
at my command, that Congressional legisla-
tion be so limited by strict economy as to ex-
hibit an appreciation of the condition of the
treasury and a sympathy with the straitened
circumstances of our fellow citizens. The
duty of public economy is also of immense
importance in its intimate and necessary re-
lation to the task now In hand, of a revenue
to meet government expenditures, and yet
reducing the peoples burden of taxation.
TARIFF REFORM.
After q hard struggle tariff reform is di-
rectly before us. Nothing so important
claims our attention, and nothing so clearly
presents itself as both an opportunity and a
duty-an opportunity to deserve the grati-
tude of our fellow citizens and a duty impos-
ed upon us by our oft repeated professions
/ and by the emphatic mandate of the people.
After full discussion our countrymen have
spoken in favor of this reform, and they
have conided the work of its accomplish
ment TO the hands of those who are solemnly
pledged to it. If there is anything in the
theory of representation in public places
of the people and their desires, If public Of
fcers are really the servants of the people,
and II political promises and professions
have any binding force, our failure to give
the relief SO long awaited will be sheer rec
reancy. Nothing should intervene to dis
tract our attention and disturb our effort un-
til this reform Is accomplished by wise and
careful legislation. While we should staunch-
ly adhere to the principle that only the ne
cessity of revenue justiies the imposition of
tariff duties and other Federal taxation, and