The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-27
WHAT IS TO BE The OUTCOME.

WHAT Is TO BE THE OUTCOME.
Members of the Pension Committee
realize apparently that the burden that
is being put upon the taxpayers of the
state by. pension legislation is greater
than they can carry with comfort. and
yet no steps are being taken to tighten
it. On the contrary, it is becoming
heavier all the time. Year after year
the pension charge is becoming great
er, Notwithstanding the fact of the
large death rate Of Confederate veter-
ans.
The pension system began with leg
islation providing artificial limbs for
veterans. That was highly approved
by the people, and the burden it i'm
posed was not great. Then, as many
did not need a renewal of artificial
limbs every five years. the price of
limbs was given to the veterans. That
cost the state about slS5,OOO in 1892 In
1898 pensions were given to widows of
Confederate veterans, and $244, $50 a
year was added to the pension charge.
In 1896 INDECENT soldiers were put ON
the pension rolls, and at the start this
cost the state $4,000 a year. In 1902
INDECENT widows of soldiers were given
pensions and at the start the cost was
about $4,000 a year. These figures
were gathered by the Atlanta Consti-
tuition from the records, and there is
no doubt about the correctness of them.
In 1901 the amount paid out for pen
sions was $685., 1856; this year it is 1922,
Cos, and the Pension Commissioner
asks for next year $SSO,0OO. The Pen
sion Committee has scaled this amount
down to $S45,000. 1t is apparent there
fore. that the commissioner will not
have enough money with which to pay
all the pensioners.
There is no doubt in the minds of
those who have given this subject OF
pensions thoughtful consideration that
within two years the amount required
for pensions, unless there is legisla-
ton wedding out those from the pen
sion roll who have fair incomes or are
able to earn a livelihood, will be as
much as 100000 a year. Indeed,
there are opinions expressed by men
capable of judging of the matter fair
ly, that within five years a great deal
more than s1,OOO.OoO will have to be ap-
What does the Legislature propose to
do about it? Find new sources of rev.
enue or put pensions on strictly in
digent basis? In the campaign for the
nomination We pointed
out time and again that the pension
charge threatened trouble, but the poll
ticians paid no attention. They seemed
to be afraid to touch the pension ques-
tion-afraid they might lose some of
their popularity. We believe the peo-
pie wish only Confederate veterans
and widows Of veterans who are act
uaIly in need of assistance given PEN
sions. This was their intention origi-
nally and it is their intention now.
How is it that so many persons have
succeeded in getting on the pension roll
who should not be there? The expla-
nation doubtless is that the method for
who are entitled to PEN
sions is Inadequate. In the report of
the grand jury for this county. made
on Tuesday, it was stated in respect
to applications for pensions, that the
grand jury did not have time TO give
them attention. Probably in every
county the grand jury for want OF
time or for other reasons passes upon
pension applications without investi-
eating them carefully
How is it possible to find out who of
those on the pension roll are entitled
to pensions and who are not? AS far
as we can see the best way is that
suggested by the Pension Commission
er, namely, wipe the slate clean and
begin over again under the supervision
of a state board appointed for that
purpose. If pensions were placed
upon an INDECENT basis 1t is probable
that between 100000 and 100000 year
would be saved to the state. That
amount would be sufficient to meet all
the demands of the state and leave a
balance.