Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-27


diers than all the other southern states
combined.
This last claim is n splendid tribute
10 the patriotism Of our people and pre-
sents a sentiment Of duty and loyalty to
our old heroes and their widows which IL
is to be hoped may never be narrowed
down to a cold blooded business propo-
sitiOn so long as a single one of these
hcnored veterans and their widows are
left to remind us OF their devotion and
sacrifices during the dark and bloody
days OF the civil war and the reconstruc-
ton periods. The great principle OF
PATRIOTISM which has actuated the people
OF ali nations to grant pensions to their
war heroes and survivors. has never been
based upon property qualifications. Nor
can IL be said that a pension granted TO
Confederate soldier was the mesure OF the
value OF that soldiers services. The true
principle Of the pension is when voluntar-
ily rendered as a partial substantial rec
ognition Of the services Of such soldier
and IL goes to him annually as badge
OF honor. conferred by the love, respect
and admiration Of his countrymen.
Should Go to People.
1t is a weIl-known fact that the invalid
soldiers and widows pensions are annu-
ally decreasing. The increase in the rolls
comes largely from the INDECENT class.
Reducing the invalid class TO an INDECENT
basis. at this time would not materially
reduce the fund. Perhaps few thousand
dollars could be saved While the people
of Georgia are not yet ready to be taxed
70 pension every Confederate veteran
who did his duty I'm the late civil war, II
is quite evident that the taxpayers Of this
state are willing 20 pension all those
who are justly entitled to a pension under
existing laws. This Is evidenced largely
A. 20
the general assembly are unwilling TO
consider a bill providing that all soldiers
and Widows. shall be absolutely restricted
70 the INDECENT basis. II IL is purely
question OF dollars and cents. there should
be no distinction, but the proposition now
provides that the property qualifications
OF the invalid class shall be narrowed
within certain limits. This is question
which I think, should be settled by the
people. who have in successive amend
ments TO the constitution directed the
general assembly TO annually appropriate
funds TO pension these various classes OF
pensioners. II the taxpayers Of the state
favor reducing all invalid pensioners to
an INDECENT basis, then the viii OF the
people becomes the majesty Of the law.
The thing most needful to do, and that
which viii more than all else meet the
wisnes OF our people is for the general
assembly. the grand Juries and pension
commissioners TO cooperate in an earnest
active effort TO keep the rolls free from
fraud and imposition. Let the roll be one
OF honor. and see to IL that only those who
are justly entitled to this honor are ac-
corded recognition at the hands Of the
general treasury. An empty sleeve,
wooden leg or scars and wounds upon the
body can be seen and known of all men.
II the pension laws Of the state are to be
reduced to a purely business proposition,
then there should be but one class Of
pensioners, and that class indigents.
There should be no distinction.
Making a slight property qualification
for the invalid pensioners and widows to
escape the pauper AFFIDAVIT OF that class,
is unjust to the INDECENT pensioners; If
the whole proposition IS to be reduced TO a
cold business basis. The invalid roll is al
ready decreasing annually by reason of
the higher death rate among that class
OF our pensioners. The INDECENT roll is
rapidly Increasing, and IL is in that de-
partment more particularly where the at
tention of the general assembly should
be directed. Money appropriated to Sc
cure a perfect roster OF the soldiers from
this state. the creation Of board or
boards of examining physicians before
whom all applicants should appear, would
save the taxpayers of Georgia far more
money in one year than the reduction Of
the old Dattle-Scarred Invalid pensioners
TO an invalid basis would in 1--WE years. A
great many pensioners on the INDECENT
rolls have gotten there by transferring
their property 20 their wives or children,
and then two years later take the pau
per's affidavit.
II we must reduce the pension fund, let
US do so by wedding out first those who
are not entitled TO draw pensions under
existing laws. and amend present laws so
as 10 prevent men from other states NOV
ing into Georgia for the prime purpose OF
taking advantage of our generous peh-
sion laws. Present laws are too easy OF
compliance; make them more difficult. so
that none except the worthy and those
fully entitled will be enrolled. Go further
and purge the rolls of all who cannot
fully measure up TO every legal require
ment II may cost money to do this. but
IL viii be money well expended. and viii
be far more just and righteous to the old
veterans and the people than to begin re-
form by turning the key to the treasury
against the man with the empty sleeve,
the highest evidence Of his bravery, 10y
atty and patriotism to his country in her
darkest hours.
HARvIE JORDAN.
The legislature doesn't make Saturday