The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-04-19
MEXICAN WAR VETS
WIN Hardly Get Increase in Pensions
by This Congress.
EXPENDITURES BE TOO LARGE.
Soldiers of other Wars Would Come
in for the Same Privilegss-Known
as a Service Pension-Number Of
West Virginians Assisted.

Special Dispatch to the InteIlIgencer.
WASHINGTON. D. C., April ls'-ln
answer to a communication addressed
by Senator Elklus to the chairman of
the COMMITTEES on pensions, relative to
the Increase of pensions to the surviv-
ing veterans of the Mexican war, and
to the widows Of Mexican soldiers. the
senator was furnished with two re-
ports made in previous Congresses ad-
verse to the proposition. Mr. Elklns
was informed that, Notwithstanding
the desire OF the committee chairman
TO coincide with views favorable to the
veterans, 1t was regarded as foregone
CONCLUSION, in the face of the negative
reports on file. that Congress Will not
grant the increase.
Expenditures Will be Enormous.
1t was shown in the reports referred
to. upon bills for the increase OF Mexi-
can soldiers pensions from IS to Si2.
and the pensions of widows of the SOL
diars in the same service to SIC per
month, that the extra expenditures
would be enormous annually, with the
prospect Of having demand made for
similar action in behalf of the veterans
of other wars.
The pension given the veteran of the
Mexican war is what is known as a
service pension, at the rate of 81, per
month. An allowance of &12 per month
is made in all cases where the appli
cant can show extreme physical dis
ability or destitptlor. There are now
on the rolls 5.O27 of these pensioners
drawing each IS pes month. To in
crease this amount to $f2 per month
would add $24l,29 to the annual ex-
pendlture. There are of soldiers and
widows, for the same service, 1881
pensioners. at the rate OF 81 per
month, which would bring up the total
paid out on such pensions annually to
Sl.2sS,sO6.
In addition there are I,12l survivors
Of that war drawing SIC each. To in
crease to SIG would make the aggre-
gate Of that pension roll amount to
SI.Acs. H. and at thesame time give Just
grounds for the pensioners on other
rolls to demand equal lIberali,y
No Such Bill Will Pass Congress.
For these reasons it is believed no
bill to grant the increase asked for will
ever pass Congress- Senate: Elklns
has communicated the substance of the
reports quoted from to his wcss vir-
glnia constituents who are Interested In
the inquiry made.
Among the bills recently passed by
the senate ware three in the interest of
West virgInlans. One places on the
pension roll the name OF Benjamin F:
Kurtz, late OF Company A, Second
West Virginia volunteer infantry. and
to pay him pension at the rate OF
$40 per month in lieu of that he is now
receiving, Another authorizes the pay
ment Of pension, at the rate OF Sl2 per
month, to Missouri B. Ross. Of Hardy
county. the widow Of Orlando II. Ross,
late Of Company D. Twentieth regl-
ment, Illinois infsntry. a captain and
aide-de-camp, staff OF General Grant,
in the civil war. The third bill refer
red TO granted an increase OF pension to
Isaac N. Locke. late Of Company F,
Fifteenth regiment. West Virginia vol
unteer infantry. The rate Of pension is
to be $50 per month. in lieu OF what he
Is now receiving.