The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-02-25


and the proper scope and limitation of
measures that should be enacted to secure
such revision.
Pensions have been increasing at the rat e
of twenty millions a year, and unless whole
some legislation is interposed will reach a
maximum cost of two hundred and twenty
millions of dollars. In 1889 the expendl-
lures for pensions amounted to sSi,624,-
T79lI. aud for 1894 there have been ap-
propriated sI66.OOO,0 600 and this sum is
confessed to be many millions short of the
amount that will be required. But if no
more is required, here is doubling of the
pension expenditures in FIVE years, and
several hundred thousand applications for
pensions still pending.
The knife must go deep, or the people
will want to know why, and the next Ad-
miuistration WILDE held to strict account
ability. If in the next four years the PEN
sion expenditures are reduced some thirty
or forty millions, economy praeticed III
other directions, the Democratic party will
be granted further term, 1t not, Its fate
will be doubtful.
If there were no pension list at all, the
pensioners and the government wonid be
better off, The pensions granted to civil
ians. to Mrs. Grant, to Mrs. Logan, to sIrs.
Hancock and thousands of Others, can not
be defended. The government pays lib.
eral salaries, and the certainty of pen
sions leads 10 extravaganza and not to econ
omy that must be practiced in private life.
1t is an outrage that persons whose incomes
are FIVE and ten thousand year should be
paid five thousand more, while millions OF
people are struggling with poverty and still
are taxed to paw tribute to already rich
pensioners. il Is an outrage that able
bodied people are maintained by the gov
eminent at Soldiers Homes, and are re-
eeivins pensions in addition II is an out
rage that persons who could not earn fve
hundred dollars in private life are drawing
mon, than that amount in pensions and are
receiyin. A. much rs twelve hundred dol.
lars year in government employ. 1t is an
outrage that men are drawing pensions aud
At the same time drawing salaries of i've
thousand year as Senators or Represen-
,a,ives. 1t is inoOneeivable that prosperous
professional and business men should apply
for government AID. but the fact is too pat
ent for doubt. We believe We ape within
bounds when We say that fully one-half of
the pensioners do not need government aid,
and fewer still are incapacitated from earn
ing living.
The war has been over nearly twenty
eight years, and persons who received no
injuries 10 the service are applying for
pensions for diseases alleged To haye been
contracted during tue war. In SONS cases
the claims may be Just, but in the great
majority Of them hard swearing is necessary
! to establish connection with army service
and present condition
+. Pensions are allowed for many trifiins
causes, bu, it was not publicly known unit
few DAYS ago thst the los of hair was a
4 cause for claim upon government bounty,
Mr.. Tarsney asserted it on the foor of ths
! House in his speech of February 10Th, Ii
the course Of his speech on pension reform
/ he said
.sSir, 1 speak not ia lest, bat in sober truth
and from the record, when | declare TO this
House and 70 the country that pensions have
T been granted under the Law OF 1890 on account
Of the loss OF hSir-on account OF badness
In another speech week later, when
his assertion that pensions had been grantee
on account Of los of hair had been chal
lensed. he said
3 And say 10 this House nov. Mr.. Chair
man, that If the Pension Commissioner VII
say that no pensions have been granted eifhe
+ under the Law OF 1890 or prior laws on sc
count of the loss Of hair, after two weeks treu
next Saturday, when honest employees Of tia
Buresa are free from the fear Of punishmen
from these who control its methods, Vii
demonstrate to the country the truth Of ever
rtterance in my remarks Of last Friday
Up to the present time the Commissions
of Pensions has not accepted Mr.. Tarsney'
challenge. and no pension demagOgue il
Congress has pressed Mr.. Tarsney for tn
facts in the csses to which he alluded
In the last two weeks efforts at Pensioi
reform were made in the House of Repre-
sentatives. and the mOvemen, was led b
three gallant ex-Federal soldiers. The ef
forts we've unsuccessful, because enoagl
Representatives we've afraid to risk thei
chances Of reelection, believing the soldie
vote would be alieuated, and they woul'
rather SIC the government brought to tn
verge Of bankruptcy than to go out Of Pab
lie life
There Is No parpose 10 disturb the pen
siOns Of the deserving, and thesewili readil.
aid in Eeesiing ont the frauds andperjurers
The pruning knife must be inserted ans
the Congressman whovoses against : jas
reform Of the pension laws win be relegaseS
To private hfe. The people are in earnest
and shere are twenty nOa-peasiOners to en'