The silver star., 1899-09-22
INDIANA PENSIONS.
STATE oErs Lors OF MONTY.
Exceeds All Other States Per Capita, Re
ceiv ng s1o,ooo.OoO Per Yesr-Polit-
ical Eject.


Indiana takes the lead as a pension
state. The annual statement of the
pension department has just been is
sued. In round numbers the states
ID ing the highest pensions are Ohio,
VIZ 15,OOO,OO Pennsylvania, S12,.
100000; New York. $12,OOO,OOO; Indi-
ana, $10,OOO,OOO and Illinois, $9,OOO,-
OoO Indiana has $4,000 pensioners,
who draw an average pension Of
traction over $160 per annum. In the
list Indiana has 22J veterans Of the
civil war who are drawing the limit
OF VIZ month, and seventy veterans
OF the civil war and one of the Mexi-
can war who are drawing $50
month. In number of pensioners and
number of high pensioners in the aver
age for all in the state, Indiana leads
any other state In the Union by
broad margin. Indiana, with n popu-
lntion 10000 less than that Of Massa-
chusetts by the census of 1890, re-
ceives in pensions $1O,443,OOO annual
~, while Massachusetts gets but $5,.
42O,OOO. Similar comparisons will
show that Indiana is the greatest
pension state in the Union according
to her population.
Commissioner Evans has analyzed
the pension apportionment by congress
sional districts. and that makes very
fair basis of comparison. On this basis
Indiana shows clear lead. while Kan
sas comes In good second. The In
diana pensions run $SO3,OOO per dis
trict, Kansas $775OOO. Among the
states mt the front are Missouri, with
$44S,OOO, New Jersey with 1912 600
and New York with 1852 600 per dis
trict. Massachusetts averages $417, 600
per district. The average pensions in
the five leading states are $50 in
Ohio. $126 in Pennsylvania, $142 in
New York, $1GO in Indiana and STAG
In Illinois. Though there is differ
ence of $14 average between Indiana
and Illinois, there are over 1900 more
pensioners in that state. The differ
ence In average. however, gives Indi-
ana pensioners 100000 more per an
mum. Though Ohio ranks first as a
pension state. still, like Illinois, on a
basis of population and pensioners, 1t
ranks below Indiana.
students of the question are endeav-
oring to find solution for the seeming
unequal distribution of pensions, In
diana and Kansas being favored. Pri-
marfly Indiana's prestige is due great
Iy to the part played by William w.
Dudley Of Indiana, who was commits
sioner Of pensions during the Arthur
administration and who was a most
liberal being when Indiana was to be
considered. He got the reins Just when
the days of pensioning were having
their greatest ascendnncy. and any
thing that came from Indiana was
well looked after This gave Indiana
great lead to build on.
Then. too, both political parties have
made Indiana their battle ground. for
national victory or defeat. repeatedly
In recent years. Indiana. too. was one
Of the states putting the largest num-
Der Of men into the field. Among the
states Of the Union 1t stood fifth. with
New York. Pennsylvania, Ohio and
Illinois leading and Massachusetts and
Missouri following.
1t put 2O6OOO men into the field,
and In partial explanation of the great
number Of heavy pensioners. 1t can he
said that no other state In the Union
spilled so much blood. or participated
In as many bloody engagements.
The $1O.OOO.OOO which finds Its way
Into Indiana annually by four INSTALL
ments Of $2.5OOOOO. has u very great
influence upon the state. The pension
money coming into Indiana this year
Ii as great as the proceeds OF the 1899
wheat crOD and more certain