The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-13
Some Suggestions
Hbolf Pensions
From the st. Paul Pioneer-Pross.

Il IOIl inc ot. Iaul 1lOneer-IrcSS.
When Observation-Disclosures patriotic
and however willing to indulge the senti-
ment of gratitude toward the men who
periled life, health, and the welfare of
their families in the nations defense
contemplate the still swelling aggregate
OF our pension rolls, now mounting to-
ward Sl1OOOO,OOO annually, they may be
pardoncd if they seem inclined to assume
q questioning attitude as to whether all
the legislation under which that immense
outlay is being made has been sufficiently
well considered. This attitude has be-
come more and more pronounced since
it is seen that thousands of young widows
are being added TO the rolls, to take the
place of the veterans who are dropping
off, and whose pensions, which are for
life, seem likely to prolong for another
full generation large part of the ma
tional burden hitherto so patiently borne.
The bold stand taken by the present conn
missioner of pensions in objecting to this
class of beneficiaries is looked upon with
general commentator. While the people
are wilhng-nay, eager-to save from
want the women who sent their husbands
into the field in the critical days of the
Sixties" they cannot easily discern what
claim the woman who has married an
ex-soldier long after the war ended can
have upon the nation. Marrying a veter-
practice which has now become common
cannot be classed among the acts of pa
triotism for which pensions are usually
bestowed.
While in this critical mood people are
also inclined to push the question little
further, and to ask on what ground the
government should continue the payment
Of pensions to people who plainly do not
I'GnpCiq1lN wi eh
porous and well-to-do men, in business
and in the professions, draw an annual
stipend from the government, while 9TH
er veterans who served their country
equally well, or better, but who now find
it hard work to make a living, receive
nothing whatever, because no rebel bull
let happened to hit them, or because their
health remained so good that they were
able to serve their country TO the end of
the war without contracting a disabling
or even n constructively disabling dis
ease? If the pension rolls were cleared,
first of the names of all individuals who
are in no need of aid from the govern
ment to enable them to live in comfort
and secondly of all widows who have
married veterans since the war, the enor-
nous burden of pensions which the
American people are now bearing would
be vastly reduced-so much reduced that
the nation could perhaps then spare some
thing with which to sweeten the last
days and perhaps save from the aims
house some splendid soldiers, who did
grand service, but We're not lucky enough
to "get hit while doing it.
%
There is no doubt that the larger por-
| tion of the men now receiving pensions
were good soldiers. We are glad to ad-
| NIT that all of them have deserved we'll
of the government. But the popular SEN
timent Is that pensions should be be-
slowed, not to match deserts, but to re-
| lieve necessities. Where no necessity for
relief exists the claims of the man who
was hit by bullet or injured by disease
| in the service are no greater than that
| of his comrade who fought equally we'll
| and perhaps longer, but whS went through
| the war without getting hit and with his
| health unimpaired. And it is a matter of
common notoriety that in almost every
| neighborhood there are men who were in
| efficient soldiers, but who are now rich,
| who are receiving pensions from the gov
| ernment, while men who were good SOL
diers, but who are now poor, receive moth
| ing. All well-to-do soldiers ought now TO
| be willing to consent to a readjustment.
| Let some honorary medals be struck off
and bestowed upon these in lieu Of fur
| ther pensions.