St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-23
A CREDITABLh SHOWING.

The charge that the present admins
tratlon is any way hostile to the vet
Grams of the late war ought to be effect
ually disposed of by statement just
issued by the pension bureau. 1t ap-
pears from this statement that the total
number of pensions granted since March
4, 1898, is 5000. OF these 4,12S were
issued since August, of which 1,7l2 were
original and l ,497 increases. OF the
original pensions granted 326 were for
disabilities contracted in the service and
in the line of duty, and 3l6 under the
act Of June ~, 1899. Comparative fig
ures are not at hand, but to any fair
minded person the above will be re-
garded as very fair showing for less
than seven months work. There is not
the slightest danger than any soldier
of the war who is entitled to pension
under the most liberal construction OF
existing laws will be denied it. or that
any of those now properly on the roll
will be deprived of the stipend which
he is. now receiving. 1t is only those
who are clearly disqualified, and have
no right upon roll of honor, who Will
be refused bounty provided by the ma
ton for its heroes.
A great deaf of nonsense re latiye to
pensions is being printed i'll the partisan
press, with the purpose of awakening
prejudice against the national admin
istration in the minds of the veterans.
No official action of the pension bureau
has given cause for such prejudice. On
the contrary, there has been an exceed
ing liberallty shown. All claims have
been patiently yet speedily inyeSti-
gated, an whenever those claims have
been just the applicant has received the
full benefit of the laws provisions. The
few delays that have occurred nave
been inevitable, and caused by the
changes that it has been necessary to
make in the administrative and clerical
offices of the bureau. Now everything
is in smooth working order, and it is the
testimony of those who have business
with the bureau that never before has
the work been more eXpedltiously or
satisfactorily transacted. Several of
the most notorious pension sharks, like
Van Leuven, have been held TO an ac-
Stlu pldCbiCC OC-
fore the bureau. This has been direct
and positive benefit to all honest pen
sloners and applicants for pensions, by
relieving them of the suspicion of dis
honesty. 1t has improved the morale Of
the service and greatly simplitied and
facilitated the business of the bureau.
Both Secretary Smith and Commits
sioner Lochren are entitled to the high
est praise for the efficient and energetic
manner in which they nave conducted
the affairs of the pension bureau. They
have aimed TO make 1t of benefit to the
deserving soldiers instead of the dis
honest solicitors and sharks who have
heretofore haunted the offices at Wash
ington and elsewhere, and, while they
have no doubt cut off the means OF sab
Sistence of these parasites, they have
made it far easier for the veterans to
procure their just dues. Pension at
torneys will continue to rail at the
bureau, but deserving veterans will reap
a substantial benefit from the change,
which has placed their affairs upon
businesslille basis and assured them
the full benefits of their pensions with
out danger of being fleeced by dishonest
and interruptions middlemen.