Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-10
TIE NEW PENSION ACT.

s The last Legislature enacted no law
Of more general interest than that en-
titled "An act to give aid to soldiers,
sailors and marines disabled In the war
between the States and to each Of
them who. by disease or other inflrmi-
ties OF age. is disabled from earning or
is without the means OF procuring a
support, and to the widows Uf their
husbands were Virginians) OF such as
lost their lives in said war in the mill
tary or naval service, or have died
since the war.
Nothing Illustrates and confirms more
fully that oft-quoted text of scripture
the love OF money is the root OF all
evil"-than pension laws. 1t has long
been known that the Federal pension
list. instead of a roll OF homer as it
ought to be. Is one of the most stupen-
dous frauds that ever oppressed ma
ton. Think of It: the war over for
more than the average life Of a genera
ton. and nearly q million names on the
pension rolls. and the clamors Of the
horse-leech still unsatisEed!
The Federal pensions are large
enough to constitute brides both to the
pensioners and the pension sharks
their attorneys. Care of the nations
defenders has long been a party
slogan; and the Grand Army is so large
and so compact n political organization
that 1t may well hold timid politicians
and time servers in awe.
But this cannot be said of the poor
plttance that this impoverished but
generous Old Commonwealth grants to
her needy and stricken sons.
The petty sum OF fifteen dollars a
year is what the great bulk OF our dis
abled Confederates have been receiv-
ing; one dollar and n quarter month,
about four cents day! One would
think that here was not much tempta-
ton to frnud-that the game was
hardly worth the candle. The fact is
otherwise. Indeed it had become mat
ter of general notoriety that great
many people were drawing pensions
many deserving veterans failed to get
their dues because there was not
enough money to so round.
To the credit OF the veterans be 1t
said they demanded the repeal OF the
old law and the enactment of the new
one. If Il fair and just apportionment
Of the sum the State can afford to APP
propriate be not made under the pres
ent law the veterans can only blame
themselves. 1t Is their law and they
are mainly charged with the RESPONSE
bility of determining who of them are
the worthy objects of Its bounty.
The act is too long for a complete
analysis in these columns. The leading
features OF it are as follows:
"Thc Circuit Court OF each county
and city shall appoint five residents,
three of whom shall be ex-Confederate
soldiers. as Confederate pension
board. before which all applications for
pensions must be filed. No person hold
Ing any Office. or having any income in
excess of $500 q year. or who in his own
or his wife's right, has property as
sessed at more than $1,000. or who
draws n pension from another State or
the United States. or is the inmate Of
any soldiers home. is entitled to the
benefits of the act"
The pensions are graded as follows:
For the loss of an arm, or hand, or leg,
or foot. $50; both eyes, feet, hands or
n foot and hand 500; total disability by
reason of wound or infirmitles Of age,
$50; partial disability from said causes.
SIS: widows OF soldiers killed in the line
of duty. IL remaining unmarried, $40; or
if husband were n true and loyal sol
der and has died since the war, and
the widow has not remarked. has no
children who support her. nor an in
come greater than 500 per annum, $25.
All these payments to be made an
nually on the LIST day of April.
The boards are required to meet at
the Clerks office of their respective
counties and cities on the first Monday
in April of each year. and every person
applying for n pension must make ap-
plication for the same on blank form.
which will be furnished, end which
must set out, in great detail, the facts
on which the claim for pension is
based. and which must be verified by
oath.
The board may examine such evil
dence IS is adduccd, and il satisfied
herewith, shall certify and approve the
same. but It seems there is no appeal
from an adverse decision.
No fec is allowed the board, clerk or
any attorney, and any claim allowed
Is exempt from levy or punishment.
The Auditor of Public Accounts must