The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-18

III -l.UN
PENSIONS Tor next year. $50, 00o. 90
1t will be seen from these figures that
il the cost of congress. the printing office.
the library, and the botanical garden, ex-
pressed I'm the item legislative. and the az
riculturai department be taken out of the
above column the pensions for next year
will equal the total cost of the remaining
government service. That IL TO say. the
cost of pensions will. with the small ex-
ceptions noted, equal the entire salary list
OF the government in Washington ani
throughout the country, the expenses of
all the departments. including the whole
judicial system, the cost OF the army and
navy, poStoffice deficiencies public build
ings, fortifcations and ships rivers and
harhors, the department IF labor, and the
whole expense OF the White House and
its salaries. A long array Of prominent
items. such as those for the coast sur
vey, the life-saving service. the lighthouse
system. the Indian service the general
land Office, the marine hospital service.
the National Soldiers homes. the Gus
toms service, which are included in the
above figures. might be added to still fur
Their emphasize the point under consider
alton.
Such comparisons as these have at last
attracted the attention which they de-
serve, and Washington upon the eve Of
the opening of congress is full OF talk
based upon such presentation Of the sub
jecr.
Pension reform has been a question
which for years has been forcing itself
upon the attention OF congressman. 1t
has been put aside from year to year be-
cause. from motives which are easily un-
derstood and which have much 10 COM
mend them. there was a general dfspo-
sition to provide for the growing burden
rather than seem even to be turning the
cold shoulder 10 veterans. But with pen
sion expenditure requiring more than
half the present yearly revenues. and at
time when these revenues are falling
many millions below the total annual ex-
penditures. the question becomes one In
volving not only justice 10 the old soldier.
but fairness to the rest Of the nation.
There IL no dissent worth consdera ton
from the proposition that IL $50 0ao 90 Is
fairly due 10 soldiers. or those who have
been or are dependent upon them on &C.
count Of disa abilities incurred In the serv-
ice. every cent Of II should be paid. Fur
Their than this there Is general assent 70
the proposition that the government owes
20 all who were disabled and impcver-
ished by the casualties Of the service. not
the mere pittance which so many of chese
row receive. but sum which. with other
means that the pensioner may be able 70
command. would Eft him and those de-
pending on him abo e want.
There is a growing feeling that the
pensions enjoyed by many thousands who
are in fun health and comfortably fixed
In life should he terminated and the
government BE- thus enabled 20 more near
~ discharge its duty toward the helpless
and the miserable.
IL the pension lists could be printed. ev-
cry community in the land would be dis
gusted with It's revelations Wealthy men
I'm large numbers would he found upon H..
Thousands would BE- revealed whose aisss-
hilitteS were only temporary. and so long
since disappeared. A small army ~ men
would he discovered to whom their pen
sions are ia no sense a necessity While
this sta q Of facts would appear. Il
should not he forgotten that there are
men In good circumstances. and many IN
public positions Of honor and emolument.
whose disabilities and persistent wounds
are Of a character for which no pension
which the law provides can even approx
tr1ately compensate. At every step they
have found themselves handicapped n
the battle of life For such. and indeed
for all Of every rank and position. through
the various grades Of disabilities. pen
sion is not only due as fully prepoFfloned
70 the needs and deserts ~ the Ease as
the government can afford. but II Is also
a naesKt OF honor To those who are not
thus incapaeitated for full ~rsrt In ne
struggle q Isfe ard who do net need II.
because Of the c0rnforta bic ffe which sHey
can command without It, pension sn5aid
re a badge ~ shame. These sentiments
are rapidly gaining ground amefls uiFh
whose friendship for the soldier nsSss