The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-08
THE PENSION QUESTION.


Declaration That Smith and Lochren Are
Exceeding Their Authority.
The matter which overshadowed all
others in interest WAS next in the order of
business. Col l. n. w ak er of Ind lana. C air
man of the pension committee. then arose
and read carefully prepared report. every
word of which was listened to with IN
tense interest. There was scarcely ripple
of applause until he closed, when the five
hundred hearers broke out in volleys of
applause. The report was as follows:
Your committee on pensions begs to submit
the folio wing report and resolutions on the sub
"To bind up the Nations wounds; TO care for
him who shall have horne the battle. and for his
widow and orphan" Thus spoke Lincoln. the
Great, Lincoln, the just, standing reverenty,
with uncovered head. IN the immediate presence
of a cruel and devastating war that had already
lasted four years, the end of which. although so
near. his prophetic vision was not able to see
speaking To, Tor and by the authority of the
American people. concerning one or the supreme
duties OF the hour and the future, when entering
for the second.tine upon the discharge OF O trust
committed to him by that people.
Within q few short weeks that end so long
hoped for had come, but his dying eyes were not
privileged 10 see the full fruitOn OF his labors.
aud the work so well begun and carried on by
him fell into other hands. charged with all the
trusts that the condition implied and required.
and those who had ''b0rne the battle" after SO
many days. turned their happy feet toward
their Ions g-deserted homes"
A grateful Nation met and received them, and
gladly showered upon them the plaudts and the
honors they had so well and hardly earned.
These "bearers of the battle were then. in the
main, in the prime and vigOr OF young manhood
with all the honors and possibilities OF lie be-
fore them. with all the hopes born OF lofty cour-
age and patriotic and successful achievement
beating high In their bOsoms and they iittle
needed, and still less cared for, material aid
from the country they had preserved and made
N lfn ltraRh fr1sn rad
health and broken constitutions were presently
visible. and for such IN the main, ample and
prompt provision was made by that country
But as the years passed by. middle life too
frequently developed into premature old age,
and youth passed INTO riper years with gallop-
Ing feet aud. alas. too soon the exultant
and hearty soldier found that ia the race
OF life there were weights upon
his feet and burdens upon his shoulders,
as the result or premature and overheavy
draughts upon his vitality that sadly interfered
with successful competition in the crowd and
Jostle of the fierce struggle for advancement.
And still the Nation sought TO keep abreast OF
the necessities OF her heroes, and by additional
enactInents TO measuraOly make provision for
the necessities OF those who had borne the
battle
quarter of o century had elapsed. The
young had become old. the middle-aged had
become feeble. and the old had crossed the river.
Time. with It's ruthless fingers, had joined hands
with the ravages OF war; and the two combined
had proved ourder: upon the ageing soldier
greater than he could hear, and the cry went
abroad that in too many instances for the credit.
honor good name OF the Nation, many who
had followed the flag and faced the fiery furnace
or battle. had. In want. fallen by the wayside.
and In the poorhouses were looking longngly
for the relief and comfort of the grave.
Their sylnpatbizing comrades and patriotic
people, with one accord. voiced the sentiment
that such was not humane administering OF
the sacred trust recognized and announced by
mems minds differed Many, possibly ma
jOrity of the survivors OF the war. believed
that the time had fully come when the name OF
every hoDora6iy-dischared survivor should
be placed upon the pension roll. Others, denying
the right that they should receive aught from
their country through the penSion-r0ll, stoutly
resisted his demand.
IL was under such circumstances and dealing
with these conri ctlng opinions that Congress
enacted the disability pension law OF June 1890.
This act was accepted by the surviving soldiers
and 10y the people in general as a settlement OF
the question Under the administration or the
law the poOrhouse gave up its veteran; he who
mad borne the battle was cared for. ana thus the
sacred trust accepted and left as "a legacy 10 the
Nation was faithfully administered.
Within few months We hear with profound
sorrow anti regret that all this must be changed:
that the construction OF the law has Deeu
changed. and tho regulations and rules n regard
TO proof aud Iatings under which more tn au
100000 claims have heen allowed and paid have
been revoked. and another construction OF the
law has been established and new regulations
for proof and ratsngs, less favorable 10 claim
ants have been adopted: that board or re-
vision has been organized In the Pension Oflice.
charged with the duty ofrevising all these adJu-
dicated claims in accordance with this new
constr uction, and such changed regulations as
10 proof and ratings Under these changes
thousands or pensions have been suspended
without notice. and thousands or pensioners
have been dropped from the rolls. It is claimed
that an adjudication OF pension settles
nothing; that the Secretary OF the Interior
and Commissioners Of Pensions are invested by