The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1893-02-16
THE PENSION QUESTION.


City (Mo) district, has made an excel
lent speech in Congress on the pension
question. Congressman Tarsney is a
Democrat, and a veteran soldier. The
Republicans have no soldier in this
Congress whose war record is as brill
liant or enduring.
Congressman Tarsney served through.
out the war in that great fighting regi-
ment the 4th Michigan infantry. He
was wounded at Fredericksburg, and
severely wounded and taken prisoner at
the battle of Gettysburg, He suffered
a worse than death at Andersonville
prison pen. Hence Congressman Tars-
ney talks as a soldier--tried and true.
Congressman Tarsney is opposed to
the present pauper pension law, that
was enacted in 1890, and is earnestly in
favor of its repeal, and the enactment
of service pension law. Read what
MIR. Tarsney says:
"Mr. Chairman, by the enactment of
that measure the principles of equity,
considerations of merit, regard for the
value and length of service would for
the first time find place as elements OF
consideration in our pension system.
And while dealing literally, equitably,
and justly according to the merit of the
pensioners, it would reduce the cost of
our pension system by from S50,0OO,OOO
to SGO,OOO,OOO year. This may seem
an astounding proposition, but it is
nevertheless true.
"There would under that measure be
about 100000 pensioners today. The
average period of service of this 100000
men is estimated at one year. The
average rate per month for each would
then be 1866 and the total for the SO0,-
600 would be S2,92OO00 per month, or
$50, 100000 annually, while the annual
charge under the act of June,
1890, will, when it reaches the
maximum approximate 100000.
600. Should this repeal and substi-
tuition not be made, then the act of
1890 should be amended SO as to more
clearly define the pensionsble status
that would entitle to a pension under
it aud avoid any excuse for further
misconstructions or interpretations,
such as those contained in the Order
No. 164 from the Interior Office; and
provision should most certainly be
made for dropping from the rolls those
wrongfully placed thereon under said
order.
"No person should be granted a pen
sion unless his service was honorable
and he was honorably discharged there
from. Our pension rolls are dishonored
and the meritoriOus pensioners of the
country are dishonOred because these
rolls bear the names of men dishonor-
ably discharged from the service.
at thus appears that from the date
the Pension Bureau commenced the
Issuing of certih :ates Of allowance of
pensions under the act of June q, 1890,
and continuing until subsequently to
January of the present year, during
which time more than four hundred
thousand pensions were granted under
that act, the intent of the law relating
to the pensionable status required to be
shown was totally disTegarded.
"Who doubts that many of those who
are drawing pensions for disabilities
incurred in the line of duty were never
in the liue of duty, and that they have
established their claims by the most
fragrant perjury There are tens
of thouaands of men on the pension
rolls who should not be there who, by
being classed as soldiers, are robbing
real soldiers of all there is of honor IN
the name of soldier; and if you would
deal out exact justice to this class in
stead of granting to them re-ratings and
increased pensions you should strike
them from the rolls.
I'm conclusion, Mr.. Chairman, let me
say that no higher sentiments of patri-
otism to my country or greater degree
of respect, kindness, sympathy, or love
for the true, brave, heroic soldiers of
the Union, my comrades, actuated me
when together under that flag we stood
upon the bloody fields of Fredericksburg,
Charlottesville, and Gettysburg, or
suffered together in the prison pens of
Belle Isle, AndersOnyille, and Milan, or
rejoiceG with each other in the sun
light of final victory at AppOmattax,
than now actuates me as stand here
and in the name Of country and COM
rade, pleading for the honor of both,
beseech Of this House patriotic consid-
Grafton OF this problem" prolonged
applausel