The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-06
THE GRAND ARMY AND PENSIONS

1t is probable that the Grand Army, at
its annual meeting which begins to-day,
will have something to say to the President
for not needing the request from differ
ent army posts for the dismissal of Pen
sion Commissioner Evans. Commissioner
Evans does not give satisfaction to the
pension attorneys, and these attorneys
have succeeded in making a great many
members of the Grand Army believe that
because the commissioner is from Ten
nessee, he is hostile to Union veterans.
They want to get the commissioner out
of the pension office because he does not
interpret the pension laws TO suit them.
Since he has been in office they have not
been able to get their hands as deeply into
the treasury as they have been accustomed
to do. That is the real ground of their
opposition 10 him. They dislike him be-
cause he is faithful to the trust which ne
was appointed to administer.
But does it not seem strange that the
great organization of the Grand Army of
the Republic does not investigate the
charges made against the pension COM
missioner rather than accept them as be-
ing true on the mere assertions of pension
attorneys? 1t would be an easy matter
for the members of the Grand Army TO
find whether the commissioner is keeping
back pensions from any who are enitled
to them. 1t is safe to say that he has
complied strictly with the law ever since
he has been in office, and is stiE complying
with it. The only difference between his
administration and that of some of his
predecessors is thai he has not strained
any points of law in order to pass claims
of questionable character Whenever he
has doubts about claim he holds it up
until it can be properly investigated. That
doesn't suit the pension attorneys, be-
cause the claims some of them present
will not bear too close an investigation.
The Grand Army has always taken a
greater part in politics than it ought There
is some ground for saying that it has ever
been on the lockout for pensions. The
threat sent to the President that he
wouldn't stand much chance for re-elec-
ton, unless he put Commissioner Evans
out of office, is a pretty good indication
of its disposition to NEEDLE in political
matters.
| 1t has been almost thirty-five years since
the close of the civil war. and yet appl-
cations for pensions for persons who serv-
| ed in that war are being filed by the thou
| sands every month. 1t is true of course
that the applications are for disabilities
| for which pensions have been authorized
! by recent legislation. Still. it does seem
about time that We We're through with
cession. The applications for pensions for
disabilities incurred in the war with Spain
and in the war in the Philippines are now
being made. II looks from the number of
these applications as if the pension charge
would soon again be above 100000 a
| year. Notwithstanding the high death rate
among the Union veterans of the civil war.
II would not be surprising, however. il
the politicians in Congress should give
! pension to every one who was ia any way
| connected with the war OF secession on
the Union side before they are satisfied
that there is nothing more to be made
out OF the pension business from the
standpoint of politics.
The prospects are good for another great
strike in the shipping trades of England
At Liverpool, Hull Cardiff and Bristol 1t
is said the hremen and sailors are pre-
pairing for a strike in the event that their
demand for increased wages should be re-