The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-03-20
PENSION TALK.
Grand Army Trying to Raid
Treasury for ST, 100000, 600.

Washington, March 14.-Undeter-
red by the enormous total to which
the pension list has attained, the
Grand Army, backed by the pension
attorney sharks, is hard at work advo-
eating fresh schemes for despoiling
the treasury both by means of new
Legislation aod by putting new inter-
pretations on old laws So utterly
extravagant is the plan advocated by
that great pension grabbing organiza
tion that Senator Gallinger, of New
Hampshire. chairman of the Senate
Committee on Pensions. himself a
Republican of deepest dye, has de-
clared, after making q careful study
of it's terms, that if il should be enact
ed into law the total pension expeDdi
lures of the Government would reach
the enormous sum of 100000, 900
per year or one and one third times
as much as the total expenditures Of
the Government for all purposes at
the present time
1t is owing to the refusal of Con
grese to enact this extravagant legis.
lation and TO the stand that Commits
sioner Evans has takeu against max
ing new laws by putting unwarranted
constructions on old ones that the
pension expenditures remained prac
tica!ly stationary during the last four
years But even now, despite the
fact that the veterans of the Civil
War are dying off quite rapidly and
many names are being constantly
stricken from the rolls by minor
children passing the pensionable age
limit, there has been a net increase
in the number of names on the pen
sion rolls of 1,500 since July l last.
very little of this being due the Span
isb and Philippine wars.
For three months ell the republican
talent in New York State. at sbe CON.
maud of Mr. Plsss, has been utilised to
devise State commissions which will
take from New York city and Brooklyn
aud other populous democratic ceusets
the control OF their own local affairs
Some of these projects have been
so extreme and outrageous as TO disgust
all bat the most bigote'i and uarelsns
ing partisans
In Peunsylvsuia NJ Quay aud his
subservieut legislature have not evea
troubled to get up ballot to eliminate
those who do not CONCUR with their
views, bat have at one fell swoop abol-
ished elections altogether. In cities like
Pittsburg aud Allegheny, With huu-
dreds Of thousands of population, and
10 other cities where tbe voters have
indicated dissatisfaction, it is now pro-
vided they shall be ruled over by
appoiutees of the governor, who is the
tool aud creature of Qaay aod the
republican macbioo. Ii the Southern
States iu express terms should declare
that 90 negro shoold be allowed TO vote
in local elections. it would be DO more
than the act Of Mr. Quay's legislature
taking away local self-government from
Pistsbufg aud Allegheny. Yet We
bear no protests agaiuss this outrage
Meanwhile efforts are being made to
bring about Commissioners Evaus' re-
tiremeus By insinuatiops that be is tired
Of the work of the pension bureau,
desires some diplomatic posts, ete. etc.
Mr. Evans, however, has let it be clear
ly understood that eli such asser
lions are caoards snd that il be leaves
the bureau it will be because President
Mckinley yielded to the pension sharks
ADD forced him to do so
Il suppose all this ealk about q new
pension commissioner" be said recent
ly, grows out Of the fact that took
the oath of Office on sbe Grss of April,
1897, aud my four years is. therefore.
very nearly at au end. L have uot,
however, rendered my resignation. nor
has the matter been discussed by the
president wbeD | have had occasion to
see him -
COZ course. if the president asks for
yoar resignation, it will be rendered 2"
'Yes," was the reply Il am not
financial pauper nor political meudi
caut "
But if it is not asked, will it be
rendered p
II do not think it will be-" said Mr.
Evans
While the Republican papers 10 New
York and Pennsylvania are yelling SO
loudly about disfranchisemens in the
south, aud particularly about the pro-
posed electoral law 10 Maryland. it
might be as we'll if they would take a