The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-12-31
FINANCIAL DISHONESTY.
Republican Method of Dealing win
Pensioners.

IenstOuerss
Republican cowardice was never more
olainly exhibited than in TIE recen; ac-
ton OF the house on pensions.
Commissioner Evans had appeared be-
fore the subcommittee having in charge
the pension appropriation bill prepared
M the extra session and had shown
clearly the necessity of Increasing the
original appropriation at least Slo'ouo'-
900 i'm order TO avoid the unpleasant
party embarrassment of facing heavy
deficit in the pension account nj the
close of the fiscal year.
He told the committee OF the big
moadhly deficit pilins up on him. ana
unblushingly revealed his methods OF
deceiving the country and imposing a
hardship upon the pensioners ~ mold
ing out the certificates that were due
last June until the following month IN
order that the deficit might not appear
In the reports made at the close of the
first fiscal year.
THAT is only one of several hides,
was the calm remark of Representative
Helden. a republican member of the
subcommittee. who thereby confessed
that his party was in the habit OF Jug
Cling with figures in the manner de-
scribed by Commissioner Evans.
DESPITE the representation of the APP
proximateiy true condition and pros
poets Of the pension account. the sub
committee refused to increase the APP
propriation to within anything like the
7 IN M
have to assume the responsibility for an
emergency deficiency bill on this ac-
count at the close of the Fifty-fifth con-
gress.
The democrats face the issue with 4
courage and consistency that should
put the republicans TO shame and show
the country who are the real friends of
the honest and deserving pensioners
When the bill was reported back to the
house the democrats moved to increase
the appropriation to Sl50.00O,000. The
motion was lost on n strict party vote
The amendment was not proposed be
cause the democrats approve the pres
cnt fraudulent administration of the
pension Office. but in strict accord with
democratic principles Of government
which can find no better form of expires
sion than "pay as you 60"
The democratic party is not opposed
to the pension system. On the con
trarv, the system has found its warm
est supporters among democrats.
1t is the abuse of the system to which
the democratic party is opposed. Ever,
effort Of the party has been to maxi
the pension lists "a roll Of honor" Fo
that reason democratic legislation an'
administration have strenuously en-
deavored to purge the rolls and plac
them on strict basis of merit. TIL
amount involved has never concerned
democrats. so long as ii was known tina
fraud was not being perpetrated. Dem
ocrats have never asked for retrench
mcnt that interfered with the relief o
any veteran who was disabled in th
service and who needs the assistance Q
the government. All that is demande
by them is the abandonment of n polio
which degrades the standard OF patrio
ism and manhood in this country. whic
encourages spirit of mendicancy an
disposition to defraud the govern
, ment. 1t is poor politics as well
fraudulent administration for the r
publicans TO pursue the pension cours
marked out In congress.-St. Louis IL
public.