Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-07-13
PENSION NOTES.
Since Judge Lochran has taken

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up the duties of office as pension
commissioner the press all over
the country have agitated the
question Of cutting down pension
lists. While there may be frauds
in the rank and file of the pension
lists, it is unseemly in those who
are enjoying the benefits, and reap
ing the rewards of a government
saved by the brave and heroic self
sacrifice of soldiers who consti-
tute the pensioners, to be captious
or over Jealous in depriving them
Of their pensions. What though
a man has, after taking several
years out of the best years of life
when the foundation of successes
are usually laid; after losing a
leg or an arm and with them
vigorous health, gone or and over
come the difficulties of life and
made a success in business, is it a
reason for his pension to be with
held? What man is there in the
ranks of the grumblers who would
for any sum of money face shot
and shell on hostile battle grounds
risk pestilence and torrid heat, OF
winters cold with only the pitiless
skies to cover them?
Ex-Congressmen Halbert E
Paine, lost leg at Port Hudson
Miss, and draws a pension of $50
a month for it. Gen. Lucius Fair.
child lost an arm at Gettysburg, &
pension of S45 a month is small
recompense for it. Corporal Jas
Tanner lost both feet at Bull Run
He draws a pension Of s72 pei
month while heroically battling
for a place high on the ladder
where sound men find it weary
work to reach. John c. Black
carries the scars Of battle on both
arms and has been successful but
the 100 dollars per month pension
was earned fairly. We might
make column after column O.
names of men fairly we'll to do
who are receiving pensions, and
who are fairly entitled to them
The question of pensions is not
in justice ought not to be, at the
mercy or in the interest of party
Republican or Democrat we are
beyond all else Americans, and as
Americans marched shoulder tc
shoulder in defense of our national
life. That there are wrongs that
need righting none deny and re-
forms are needed but let it begin
in high places. The Milwaukee
Telegraph says of the cutting
down Of the list: "And in the
work let there be included the
cutting off of $1,000 pensions to
the rich widows of ex-presidents
and 1000 pensions to the rich
widows Of departed generals, Mrs.
Grant is worth half a million; SO
is Mrs. Garfield. Why should
they draw a $1,000 pension? Mrs.
Logan is worth 100000. Why
should she draw a $4,000 pension?
Equally grand women, widows Of
private soldiers, who sew, wash,
scrub and do kitchen work for a
living, must be content with from
SIS to SI2 a month. I believe that
every patriotic soldier Of that
grand volunteer Union army,
wants the pension laws and regu-
lations revised, and as soon as
possible"
The question of who shall be
pensioned is answered in the same
papers at length we quote a few
paragraphs:
First, the wife who gave her
husband to her Country'S service,
and who was widowed by an
enemy's bullet, Or by disease con-
tracted in the army. She earned
it. She made the greater sacri-
flee.
Every mother who gave son
upon whom she depended for a
livelihood, and who did not re-
turn. I think the pension of these
two classes should be increased.
Certainly it should never be de-
creased.
Every soldier who lost an arm,
or a leg, or who was disabled in
any manner in the line of duty,
earned the pension granted him.
The soldier who lost his health
while in the service, as a result of
that service, if he needs it.
Men in destitute circumstances
who faithfully performed tie
duties assigned to them, and who
since the war have become dis
abled through accident or disease,