The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-07-15
Purify the Pension Rolls.


The determination of the pension bureau
to drop from the rolls the names of those
who have no right to the money they are
drawing aud to reduce to the proper rates the
pensions of those who are receiving more than
they are entitled TO under the law ought TO
RECEIVE the approval and support of people OF
all parties and especially that of members of
the Grand Army of the Republic. 1t is alb
surd TO suppose that the present administra
ton or any of its members are engaged in
crusade against that organization, or are IN
auenced in the action that has been taken by
political considerations. In common with
their cOuntrymen in all parts of the country,
Mr.. Cleveland and bis associates entertain
the highest respect for the brave aud worthy
men who compose the larger proportion of
that honorable body of veterans. But the
administration owes a duty to the general
public which il cannot evade without dishon-
esty and cowardice, and the very respect and
regard which il feels for the Grand Army as
a whole furnishes an additional reason and
incentive for the prosecution OF the work OF
purifying the pension lists. No man who
honestly deserves the pension be is drawing
can object to the exposure OF fraud or the
striking from the government books of names
which have been improperly placed there.
On the contrary, every pensioner who re-
spects himself aud the cause in which he re-
ceived his honorable scars should be inter
ested in making that roll a roll Of honor and
preventing its being degraded into an instru-
mentality for private fraud and plumber
The true soldier does not want to share
either his fame or his reward with those who
bore none of the burden and heat OF the con-
1ict. Having come TO the rescue of the
government in lime of war, he should come
4 -. -. and l,altN 10
dislodge those who have unlawfully ensconeed
themselves in the national treasury. Such
reflections as these will doubtless occur to
the members of the Grand Army posts of
Western Pennsylvania, which, it is said, are
to be called together TO discuss this question
aud to present memorial for the action OF
the National Eneampment at Indianapolis in
September. II the Western Pennsylvania
posts and the National Encampment will
consider the subject calmly and disposition
ately, and will investigate the allegations oil
haGly or improper action on the part OF the
administration with half the care the pen
sion bureau has given 10 it, they will mol
only indorse its course, but offer Mr.. Cleve-
land and the Democratic party their hearty
thanks for the good work that has been done
in this direction.
| No one has the right to assume in advance
that the Grand Army will lend itself I'd the
efforts to protect illegal pensioners or TO per
petuats violations Of right and law that are
/ us Injurious to its own best interests as they
are TO those of the country at large. Bui
whether it approves or condemns the COURSE
of the present administration in regard tC
pensions, the procession is likely to move OF
all the same. Mr.. Cleveland is not the mar
to put his hand to the pillow and to look bach
i for unjust or factional clamor. He and hi'
4 sabordlnates propose to do only what IS RICH
/ in this matter, and the country, and it is t
be hoped the Grand Army also, will support
him in doing it.