The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-01
MRS. LINCOLN'S LETTER
EVIDENCE That ONE PRESIDENTS
WIDOW DID ASK PENSION.
General GrosvenOr Not Accurate in
His Observation-Disclosures Bureau
Building Not Fireproof.
ipecial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, April 30.-General Gros-
venor said, in discussing the pension for
Mrs. Mckinley, that no Presidents widow
ever asked for a pension" The following
letter from Mrs. A. Lincoln, taken from
the files of Congress. disproves this:
ITO the Honorable Speaker of the House
of Representatives.:
Sir herewith most respectfully pre-
sent TO the honorable House of Representa-
tives an application for a pension. l an
widow of a President of the United States.
whose life was sacrificed in his countrys
service. The sad calamity has very greatly
impaired my health, and by the advice of
my physician / have come over 10 Germany
TO try the mineral waters and during the
winter TO so to Italy. But my financial
means do not permit me to take advantage
of the urgent advice given me, nor can 4
live in a style becoming the wife of a chief
magistrate of a great nation, although I
live as economically as L possibly can. In
consideration of the great services my dear
ly beloved husband has rendered TO the
United States and of the fearful loss I
have sustained by his untimely death, his
martyrdom, | may say, L respectfully sub
nit to your honora BILE body this petition,
hoping that yearly pension may be
granted me, so that / may have less pc
cuniary care. L remain most respectfully.
Frankfort, Germany"
There was little fire in the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing building the other
day. Only $500 worth of damage was done
but this calls attention to the fact that
this is the one modern structure in Wash
ington and could burn about the same as a
cracker factory or office building 1t is true
that IL is called fireproof, but the same
may be said of many up-to-date brick and
steel buildings which burn as readily as
pine structures when fire has a proper
start.
A big fire in this building would cause
national Inconvenience. 1t is only by rush.
ing TO the limit that the supply of money
and stamps is provided. The country is
right on the heels of the output all the
bridged over until new means of printing
could be found. IN case this plant was dis
abled, but the question of stamps would be
more serious. This is the only department
of the government where three eight-hour
shifts of workmen are employed day in and
day out, the year round The plant is being
constantly enlarged, but the present plans
are not sufficient to meet the demands of a
prosperous country.
One of the things that is causing an extra
demand to be made on this department is
the knowledge the people are getting that
they are entitled 10 clean money instead of
dirty money. Dirty money is dangerous. as
well as unpleasant The government agrees
TO supply all the clean money required foi
business. If clean money is requested at a
bank 1t will be given. The Treasury De-
partment reports that the banks of the
West rapidly recognizing the right OF
the people 10 have clean money over their
counters and are taking the trouble 10 have
new bills to pay out instead of old ones.