The National tribune., 1900-01-25

his disabilities in the army or not. is suf.
fering from disabilities. he is entitled to a
pension from this great Government of ours
MIR. President, | believe thai there is n
disposition in some sections OF The country
to restrict and TO complain that VIC are put
! ting upon the pension rolls too many men.
| believe the time will come when every
man who was in the army who survives
to that period will be either on the pension
roll or have a service pension, and Justice
requires that that should be done.
Senator GalHnger attempted to defend
the Pension Bureau by saying that it was
overwhelmed with calls for the condition
of cases, and that Immediately upon an
allowance being made an attorney would
file claim for an increase. To this Sena-
tor Allen replied:
] merely want to suggest to the Senator
tins thought, that If. instead OF increasing
the pensions to applicants dollar or two
dollars month, the Pension Office should
take that case up aS Il court of equity would
take up case pending before it, examine
IT thoroughly, examine all the evidence. all
the facts. ascertain what the applicant is
entitled to at best under the most favorable
circumstances, and make the allowance
comply with this finding, these repeated
applications would not appear Sofrequently
i'll the PenSionsOffice.
Mr.. President, one thought has i'm
pressed itself upon my mind in connection
with the administration of the Pension
Office am not speaking now ofthe present
Commissioner, for | think he is doing his
duty, as he understands it, faithfully and
wcll-that is what may be called the con-
stant determination or policy of doing
nothing.
Mr. President, to dole out pensions
in small quantities to applicants who are
entitled TO recognition at the hands of the
Government IS not good policy; 1t Is not
justice, If a man has been disabled in con
sequence of his service to the country, let
that disability be ascertained toits full ex-
tent and promptly recognize it by allow
ing him compensation adequate, so far rs
money can compensate him, for the injury;
not start a man who is entitled to S25 or
$50 a month at 81 or S8 month, and Their
increase 81 or 81 from time to time, so as
to invite repeated applications from the
same person for an increase, but let 1t come
all at once.
These men are growing old. The young
est OF them has passed 80 years at this
time. If they are ever going to receive
relief at the hands Of the Government, 1t is
time that relief was extended to them.
Their wives are growing to be old women;
they are incapactated to a large extent
from performing any duties except the
most pcrfunctOry duties of the house.
Why keep them hoping and waiting for an
increase OF llcIr pensions. why not In
crease the clerical force in the Pension
Office, take up all these cases, ard fix the
final sum- and fix that sum speedily; or, if
they are not entitled 10 anything, promptly
say SO to them. and put an end to their
expectations? 1t is the delay-that is the
thing that is complained of most-it is
the endless and ceaselcss delay in granting
pensions or in determining pension cases
that is the evil most complained Of by
applicants.
The true theory Of the law pensioning
soldiers and their dependents is that the
pension is some slight compensation for
injuries sustained in the service of the
Government. | know there are those who
look upon Il pension as gratuity; but, Mr..
President, no Government is worthy Of a
volunteer soldiery that viii not compen-
safe the soldier who is wounded or injured
in its service, or compensate his widow
and children if he loses his life in its service,
with some degree Of adequacy for the loss
they have sustained.