Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1901-02-15
OLD AGE PENSIONS.
something About the Present Movement
In England.

something About the Present Movement
In England.
How best To help the aged and do
serving poor is a question that is we'll
worthy the attention OF every civilized
community. II is a question that has
recently been brought before the Brit
ish Parliament through the report OF
q committee specially selected for the
purpose. The committee was appoint
ed to consider and report upon the
best means OF improving the condition
Of the aged and deserving poor. and OF
providing for those of them who are
helpless and infirm.
AS country we have been extremely
liberal TO our soldiers and their famn-
les, but no State assistance has ever
been given to old soldiers who have
fought only in life's battle. and fought
bravely and honestly. until Old ge has
lncapacitated them rom fight ng any
longer.
OF course we have poornouses and
private charities, but so have other
countries which give public aid to the
aged and Ceserv NJ cor. Let US see.
then, what our Engl sd cousins propose
to do.
In The opinion OF the committee the
general Ines upon wnicn a scheme for
cid age pensions might best be passed
should include the following condi-
lions
ANY person who satisfies the pen
sion authority that he. first, is a Brit
ish subject; scc,nd is xty-flve years
OF age, th1 d. has rot within the last
twenty years been convicted OF an Of
fence and sentenced TO penal servitude
or Imprisonment wdiCUt the option o.
fine, fourth, has IT,. resolved pcor
relief other than modica, relief. unless
under circumstances CT a wholly ex-
ceptional character. Gu ing twenty
years prior 10 the application for n
pension, fifth. is resident within the
district OF the pension authority; sixth.
has not an income from any source OF
more than ten shillings a week; and
seventh. has endeavored TO the best OF
his AGILITY by his industry o. by the
exercise OF reasonable providence. 10
make provici-n fer himself and those
Immediately dependent on him; shall
receive certificate 10 that effect and
be entitled to a pension"
On the Continent most proposals for
old ace pansi ms are c1nnc cted with
compulsory insurance divided between
the workman and his emp oyer. In IN
accent inquiry on tie subject which
has taken place in Holland the desira-
bility OF such insurance was nearly the
only tcnc,us on reached. and n Ger
many IL is rigidly enforced. 1t appears,
however, 10 be e. orally admitted that
In England the extreme unpopularity
Of such compulsi ia places il outside
the range Of practical poll ics.
or al Contire-ta tai countries Den
mark has the most Successful old age
pens on system. and this has erved ne
n model for the one proposed to the
English Parian ent. This VS. ena tel
by law passed in 1891
The three main qualifications for a
pension are that the applicant must be
native born, more than eixty years old
and practically destitute
There are also three disaualifica-
ucns. The pensioner must not have
undergone sentence for any tran aeon
accounted dishonorable. ana IN resrec
OF which he had not received ren bill
taticn, his poye ty must not be the
consequence Of any actions by which.
tor the benefit II hi children or Others.
he has deprived himself of the means
OF subsiste~c O. c.Csed by sord r
ly and extravaganza mode OF life, OF in
any other way be brought about by his
own default. and he must not have re-
ceiVed Poor law relief at any time
within ten years previous TO the appii-
cation.
Although the communal auth orIty
canno- refuse a tension to any person
who fulhis all the conditions. the ma
ture and the amount CT the relief to be
given is left to their discretion. The
act says, The relief must be sufficient
for the support OF the person re.ie ell
and or his family, and fo- their treat
ment in sickness. but il may be given
In money, or in kind as circumstances
require and consist in free admission
TO suitable asylum IT other estabish-
ment intended for this purpose"
AS to the sources of this pension
fund it seems that half is &c lived from
local funds and half is paid by the
State. but the total State contribution
Is limited to a certain annual maxi
mum.
The old age pension scheme has
worked successfully in Denmark eand
has been adopted in many civilized
counties. and suggests the question
why it should not he doe In the Unit
ed States. There has always .been n
dread OF paternalism in this country.
and perhaps this i The reason why
Uncle Sam is c1ICd uncle and not
father. At all events, the subject Is
worth some thought.