The Irish standard., 1894-05-26
SATURDAY, MAY Is, 1894.
THE PENSION BUSINESS.

THE PENSION BUSINESS.
The pension system now ID operation
in this country for the relief OF deserving
soldiers who were disabled in the late
war is one of the most gigantic frauds
ever practiced on generous people IN
the name Of patriotism. For downright
dishonesty and extravaganza nothing ap
preaching it in magnitude has ever OK
listed under any form of government.
The United States is paying more for
pensions to-day than all other nations
combined. It pays more to OK soldiers,
twenty-nine years after the civil war,
than any European country expends tor
the maintenance of standing army. No
American worthy Of the name grudges
our deserving veteran soldiers their full
share Of the nations bounty. Every man
disabled in the Union army is entitled to
a pension and ought to have it, but there
are thousands of men throughout the
country who have been preying on the
people for many years and have no right
to the large pensions they receive
through false representations made in
their behalf by specializing and dishonest
pension agents and attorneys.
The New York Times recently pub
lished series of articles exposing the
rascality Of pension sharks who have sue
ceeded in. robbing the government OF
illions OF dollars on fraudulent claims.
1t showed that lots of men are drawing
pensions for disabilities never incurred
in the service OF their country; that
strong, able bodied men who are earning
living at manual labor are on the pen
sion rolls; anil that rich men, who are
living in luxury, are draining the United
States treasury, and blush not for shame.
The Times gives some interesting figures
about the pension business, and shows
that instead of the number of pension
ers, soldiers widows and dependent SOL
diers' parents being on the decrease, as
might be expected in the ordinary course
of things by death and other causes, the
number ia constantly increasing to an
alarming extent. In 1876 the number of
pensioners was 232,1 1877 and the amount
paid to them was $28, 1851, 5000. In 1893
or seventeen years after, the number on
the pension rolls was 966,Ol2, and the
amount paid out was 1856, FAC, 467. ID
This year it is still larger in spite OF the
ripid examination of Pension Commits
sioner Loohren who has been roundly
abused by pretended patriots for at
tempting to rid the rolls OF frauds and
impostors. In addition to the enormous
number drawing pensions last year, there
are I'll $50 claims, original and for in
crease, to be yet acted upon, according
to the latest report from the depart
ment. In fact, the number Of names
now on the pension rolls exclusive OF
applicants, is larger by far than the
number Of soldiers in active service at
any period of the war. There are nearly
twice as many names on the rolls thirty
wears after the rebellion as there were
men killed in all the bloody engagements
st four years. From 1861 to 1893 the
fabulous sum Of Sl,576, 5854442 has
been paid out in pensions by our gov
eminent, and probably as much more is
yet to be paid out in the future, not only
to the brave men who deserve them, but
to the host Of mendicants in the guise OF
patriots who want to be supported by .
generous government for imaginary phys.
ical disabilities. at
Who are responsible for the gigantic
frauds? The Republican politicians and
The unscrupul ons pension attorneys. The
men at the national capitol lent 9 willing
Ell; mi % the pension attorneys, who we're G g,
solely aotuated By cupidity in presenting
vi inns for the soldiers. Pension Conn
oners ochren, under 8 Democrati
|sd iini1ia "a out h1e nun,-
f53k % ndulant cales from the
Il @ he IN wof Isl1 u q q