Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-03-10
OUR PENSION SYSTEM
Denounced by New York
Grand Army Men.
OLD SOLDIERS WR0NGED.
Opinions Plainly set Forth in Series
Of Resolutions.

New YORK, March l0.-An organization
G old soldiers in this city has begun a
movement against the existing pension
laws, setting forth as the reasons for their
action the injury which is being done TO
their good names, the misapprehension by
| national legislators of their wishes and the
desire TO have it made known that there
are many soldiers who would be gratifed
at any remedial measures to renoyate the
whole obnoxious pension system.
The resolutions were adopted by the
Noah l.. Farnham post ASS, Grand Army,
at regular bi-weekly meeting. They are
a repetition in tone and substance of reso-
lutions which this post adopted i'll 1891,
and went TO the then president and legis-
lature, and to all the principal Grand
Army posts. The action of 1891, as was
said by the mover of the resolution,
Had Come to q bad End
in the failure Of congress two weeks ago to
adopt the amendment to the appropriation
bill offered by Mr.. O'Neil of Massachu-
sets, which amendment was the final re-
suit of the action of the Farnum post.
Colonel Charles Mex. Leoser, past COM
mander of this post, on offering and adj
Yocating the adoption of the resolutions,
kaid that action would be taken in several
clubs of this city to make clear that there
was widely extended public opinion
against the present pension laws, but that
many people besides the Legislators were
eluctant TO stand forth plainly In their
opposition to the pension system because
hey were afraid Of displeasing the Grand
Army.
"Now," added the speaker, 1--WE old sol
iers who rightly draw pensions are chiefly
Vronged by the abuses of the pension laws.
hese abuses are in many cases not only
endered possible, but are made legal by
he existing law. The law must be radi-
ally renovated and the first action should,
nd, hope will be taken by very large,
nd excepting in size, an average and rep
esentatiye post Of old soldiers"
The Resolutions
yere adopted without a dissenting vote,
follows:
Whereas, 1t Is apparent TO this post that the
l-considered speeches Of some legislators are
llculated To do serious injury 10 the reputa-
on of old soldiers and sailors and TO the
rand Army of the Republic, and
Whereas, The only veterans entitled to PEN
ons are those who by wounds or disability
CURED in the service of their country, are
evented from earning a living in their re-
ective callings as they might have done had
ounds or disabilities not been incurred, and
hose circumstances are such as TO justify
EN- in calling on the country for aid or sup
)rt; and
Whereas, The Grand Army of the Republic
an association organized for the purpose OF
abling old soldiers and sailors to take care
themselves and each other; and
Whereas As much real patriotism may he
own by refraining In time Of peace from In
citing unnecessary burdens on the country as
coming TO her defense in time Of war,
erefore, be IL
Resolved, That any old soldier or sailor who
plies for or accepts pension except under
conditions above set forth is in the opinion
this post guilty of conduct calculated TO in
re the good lhen who were and are willing
give their lives for their country without
y reward save the approval of their own
hscience and that honorable fame that is
Due to Every Patriot.
Resolved, That a copy Of these resolutions
sent TO the President of the United States,
the United states senators from this state,
d 20 the representatives in congress from
= city, accompanied by letter from the
nmander of the post, urging upon them to
their best endeavors TO have the pension
vs. SO revised as to make them applicable
TO such soldiers and sailors are in
ated in the preamble 10 these resolutions
TO such persons were Immediately de-
ldent upon such soldiers and sailors during
within 10 years after the expiration Of their
m of enlistment.
|esolved, That this post urgently requests
posts in the Grand Army of the Republic
axe, as soon as may be, similar action to
:. to the end that the reproach may be
en- away from the Grand Army, viz: That
a charity seeking organization and a tool
he hands of the claims agents.
resolutions having like purpose will
offered in the Union league club.