The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-26
RIGHT TO PENSION.
Mr.. Harries Says Any Veteran Who
Has Suffered Has 1t.

To the Editor of the Globe
In your article on editorial page in this
mornings paper, headed Revision by It's
Friends" you say mo man should have
the disloyalty or the opportunity to receive
a pension who is capable of self support en-
phasizing your prior statement that mo man
has any moral right to be pensioner who is
capable of self-support' You made, sub
stantially, the same assertion in a prior arti-
Gle some time ago, and | thought then some
one would take exception to 1t, but it passed
without notice, so far as l am aware. l do
not believe you are correct in this statement,
and will briefly give my reasons for the
same.
Pensions are granted, not only to aid the
recipient in his support but for pain and
suffering in the past by reason of the dis
ability. Is the injury less severe or the suf-
fering any less because a man who has lost
his leg or arm In battle support himself
comfortably with his brain? Gen. Black
whom you mention, can and does make
enough out of his practice as a lawyer TO
support himself, but he is pensioned by a
special act of congress, and could only be
reached by the repeal of that act, and so it
would be just as well not to take his case
as an illustration. But Judge Longs case,
which you cite may properly be used in
this connection. He receives large salary
as a Judge of the supreme court of the state
of Michigan He also, while in the line of
duty in battle, lost an arm and was wounded
in the hip and the latter wound occasionally
breaks out and causes much suffering. Be-
cause he receives good salary or by his
provident management has laid by good
sum which bringsxhimssa good income, it is
no reason, in my Judgment, why he should
not receive a pension Esuch as the law en-
titles him to. Judge Lochren did right, I
think. in rating his pension at the amount
he did because Judge Long did not require
the constant help eof an attendant but he
did periodically and frequently need his help.
and for that he was entitled to receive d
pension in accordance with that fact.
The pain and suffering, he sustains is just
as great as If he did not have cent in the
world, nor does the fact of his getting a
good salary as jddgeao of the supreme court
You sometimes protest against class legis-
Iation land l Think JUSTLY, but to give a
pension only to those who are poor. and
needy, it seems toMne would be class legis-
Iation. 1 think If you will direct your efforts
toward other abuses connected with our pen
sion system you will make more Roadway.
In nv Judgment a man is entitled to a pen
sion who has been disabled in the service
while in the line of duty. without regard
to his wealth or salary, according to the eX-
tent CT his injury, and believe the American
people will never consent to anything less.
You consider it dsloyal act for one to
receive pension who can support himself.
If that is true then lot OF men who
breasted the storm of battle and were dis
abied in defense of their country's flag and
in obedience to her demand. have become dis
loyal without intending anything OF the kind.
Respectfully yours w. II. Harries.
st. Paul, Mimi, Nov. %. 1897.