The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-20

of the average taxpayer. The amendment
certainly ought to meet the approval OF
the gentleman from Maine, the author or
the tariff law under which we are now
living. because while doing justice 10 the |
soldier. It would at least help TO keep the |
expenditures within the revenues OF the !
government.
The distinguished gentleman from iowa |
(Mr Hepburn said on yesterday.
Pensions are not granted as "A reward |
for service but their purpose is to equalize |
as nearly as possible the earning capacity
OF tho men who are injured In the military
service and those who are not. The gov
eminent says to Il man about TO enlist, II,
having taken your place in the ranks, you
should suffer such disability as partially
or wholly to lncapacitate you for earning
lived hood, we viii by pension make good
that loss That Is the theory upon which
pensions are allowed
accept that MS correct statement OF
| the reason why pensions are gwen. NOW.
IL Is known fact that our laws provide
| that in competition for ciYil service posi-
| lions preference shall be given to tnipn
veterans, We all know too. that in seek
| ing political preterment success Is often
| achieved In many States by reason Of hon
| cradle military services. Therefore, when
| we put such a soldier upon an equality with
| the man who is not disabled, by giving him
| an Office, elective or appointiye, which an
! able bodied man is willing to MI for less
money, why should we moi withhold his
pension during the time of such civil
employment? Certainly there is nothing un-
fair In that.
1t Is a Just provision, which ought to
! commend itself to every fair minded man.
| am aware OF the fact that we OF the
| South can not expect TO gain anything by
| cautious assaults upon the pension system
We can only hope to assist gentlemen who
! are honestly 10 favor of Dauson reform by
bringing to bear such fair arguments and
| Influences as will commend themselves as
altogether just and help 10 show way
| OUT Of The dilemma which embarrassed the
government in its efforts 70 collect revenue
enough TO meet expenditures.
If this amendment should become law,
IL will only withhold pensions from men
who are in the enjoyment OF incomes ~
more than 500 per month from some cIVll
employment, and only during the cOntin
uance Of such employment ! am Informed
that there are members of congress on
this loor who, In addition 10 the salaries
they receive as such are drawing pensions;
that Federal Judges, In addition TO thoir
lucrative salaries are drawing pensions.
While ] do not crlticise them for taking
what the government gives, yet do be-
lieye they ougt. &c be sufficiently pa'rotc
when they have b2eu elevated to dlstin-
guished positions tperhaps on account Of
their war records to forego during their
term OF service the amounts which they
There are many Unicn soldiers who have
been given civil employment on account
of their war records in preference 10 those
not so fortunate, or unfortunate, II you
! please as to have seen service during the
late unpIeasantness. This is true both as
to elective and appointive onices ana OF
this we make no complaint
Wo might Justly gave a large amount all =
nuslIy and where proper TO do 20 increase
me pensions of those not receiving COM
pensation from govern ment POSITIONS, Dy
Withholding pensions from the men who
have been preferred politically ana VINO
receive incomes Of more than 500 per
mouth from the government me mint
suggested is a far greater sum than the
average BAY Of toiliug millions who earn
their living by the exercise NJ unimpalren
meptal and physical exertions. IL does
| not seek to touch the pensinner enjoying
! n position with only modest demands upon
: the treasury. II will reach only those "no
draw large salaries from the government
In addition 10 pensions When the civil
epnployment ceases, the pension will be
restored AS 10 the proprie,y of this
amendment there can be no doubt.
This amendment has elected much favor
able comment on both sides Of the house
and Mr.. Balls remarks have been com
nended highly by the element who are in
I favor OF pensions to honest soldiers.
An cid soldier OF "Bragg's Iron Brigade
said to Mr. Ball and 10 others that Ms
amendment ought 10 become a law, anf
thai real soldiers would favor 1t. He sale
Is was shame that men who were ora"
ing large salaries from the government
were drawing big pensions AT the SAM
time.
! Many Western democrats who have larg