Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-12-08

understanding of the case, and present
ing history of all the material events
leading up to the present situation.
PENSIONS.
The secretary of the interior has the
supervision of so many important sub
iects that his report is of especial value
and interest. On June 80. 1898, there
were on the pension rolls 056,0l2 names,
an increase of S9,94l over the humber on
the rolls June 30, 1892.
OF these there were II widows and
daughters of revolutionary soldiers,
Sc survivors of the war of 1872, 0l20
widows of soldiers of the war, 2l,0lS
survivors and widows of the Mexican
war, 1882 survivors and widows of
Indian wars, 2S4 army nurses, and 41o,-
G45 survivors and widows and children
of deceased soldiers and sailors of the
rebellion. The latter number represents
those pensioned on account of disabilities
or death resulting from army and navy
service. The number of persons remain
ing on the rolls June 30, 1893, who
were pensioned under the act of June
81, 1890, which allows pensions on ac-
count of death and disability not charge
able to army service was 459, 100.
The number added to the rolls during
the year was l23, G34, and the number
dropped was $1,000. The first payments
on pensions allowed during the year
amounted to S3S, 75G, 549,93. This in
cludes arrears, on the accumulation be-
tween the time from which the allow
ance of pension dates and the time OF
actually granting the certificate.
Although the law of 1880 permits pen
SONS for disabilities not related to mill
tary SCI vice, yet as a requisite to its
benefits disability must exist incapacita-
! ting applicants "frOm the performance
of manual labor to such a degree as to
render them unable to earn support
The execution of this law in its early
stages does not seem to have been in
accord with its true intention; but to-
ward he close of the last administration
an authoritative construction vas given to
the statute, and since that time this con-
struction has been followed. This has
had the effect of limiting the OF Grafton
of the law to its intended purpose.
/ am unable to understand why frauds
in the pension rolls should not be expos
ed aud corrected with thoEuughness and
yigor. Every name fraudulently put
upon these rolls is wicked imposition
upon the kindly sentiment in which pen
sions have their origin.
The sum expended on account of pen
sions for the year ending June 30, 1893.
was Sl5G, 40, l67.l4. The commissioners
estimates that SlGj, 000,0O0 will be re-
quired to pay pensions during the year
ending June 30, 1891.
TARIFF REFORM.
After IA hard struggle tariff reform is
directly before us. Nothing so import
ant claims our attention, and nothing so
clearly presents itself as both an oppor-
tunity and IA duty-an opportunity to de-
serve the gratitude of our fellow citizens,
and duty imposed upon us by oft-re-
peated professions and by the emphatic
mandate of the people. After full dis.
cussiOn our cOuntrymen have spoken in
favor of this reform, and they have con.
tided the work of its accomplishment tC
the hands of those who are solemnly
. pledged to IT.
Manifestly if we are to and the people
directly through tariff reform, one of its
most obvious features should be in Il re-
duction of present tariff charges upon the
, necessaries of life. The benefits of suct
reduction would be palpabe and sub
stantal, seen and felt by thousands who
would be better fed and better clOtheC
and better sheltered. These gifts should
be the willing benefactions of govern
, ment whose highest function is the pro
motion of the welfare of the people.
; Not less closely related to our people:
prosperity and well-being is the remOya
, of restrictions upon the importation o.
the raw materials necessary to our man
ufactures. The world should be oper
, to our national ingenuity and enterprise
This cannot be while federal legsla
ton, through the imposition of higl
= tariff, fOrbids to American manufactur
er, AS cheap materials as those used b,
t their competitors. Ii is quite Obvious
| that the enhancement of the price of on
manufactured products resulting from
this policy not only confines the marke
for these products within our own Dor
ders, to the direct disadvantage of on
manufacturers, but also Increases the
cost to our citizens.
! The interests OF labor are certainI Y
though indirectly, involved in thi
S feature of our tariff system. The sharl
competition and active struggle anon!
2 our manufacturers to supply the limitet
: demand for their goods soon fill TIN
[ narrow market to which they are con
e fined. Then follows a suspension O
, work in mills and factories, a dIschar0
of employees and distress in the homes o
: our workingmen.
Even if the often disproved assertion
could be made good that lower rat
of wages would result from free raw
e materials and low tariff duties, the i'm
: telligence of our workingmen lead
S them quickly to discover that thei
: steady employment, permitted by fire.
e raw materials, is the most importan
factor in their relation to tariff legisla
tiOn.
: A measure has been prepared by tn
+ congressional committee embodvin.
S tariff reform on the lines herein suggest
: ed, which will be promptly submitte,
: for legislative action. 1t is the resul
: of much patriotic and unselfish work
j and believe it deals with its subiec
: consistently and as thoroughly as exist
: ing conditions permit.
| am satisfied that the reduced taril
t duties provided for IN the proposed leg
islation, added to existing interna
: revenue taxation, will in the near future
e though perhaps not Immediately. pro
, duce sufficient revenue to meet the need
I of the government.