Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-27
A WORD ABOUT PENSION LAWS

- OR several years the general as
- sembly OF this state has been max
ing suasmodic efforts 10 place
cheek upon the annually increasing
ron OF the Confederate pension list For
many years. especially since the constitu-
tional amendment authorizing the PEN
sioninz OF INDECENT Confederate veterans
the appropriation for pensions has in
creased about $4,000 per annum and the
best authorities on the subject claim that
this annual increase win continue for ten
years longer before the limit has been
reached. After that period OF time il Is
thought that losses By death In the ranks
OF the old veterans viii begin to more
than Offset the annual new claims added
70 the rolls The grand total required 20
pay All classes OF pensioners now on the
rclls viii amount in round numbers TO
$4,000
Figuring an increase annually on the
above basis for a period OF ten years the
state VIII be paying out In 49, the sum
or s.. 275.O00. Il may be generally accepted
then as a fact that the limit for the pay
ment, OF our Confederate pension roll VIII
be reached In I913 There are four classes
OF pensioners for whom the people OF
Georgia have. by overwhelming matoriues
in three different elections declared that
the general assembly shall annually pro-
vide for. We have four classes OF PEN
sioners the invalid veterans and their
widows. the INDECENT veterans and their
widows. No widow OF an invalid or indi-
gent soldier Is entitled 10 a pension UNI
less she became the wife OF such soldier
prior 70 April. 1855. The invalid soldiers
we're the hrst to receive the benefits Of
public appropriations and embrace that
class who are disabled by reason OF
wounds received or chronic diseases con-
tracted while IN the service.
The INDECENT class embraces those who
BY reason OF misfortune. old age and In
nrmitfes have no property and are phys
fcaliy unable 70 provide for themselves
a support In the invalid class the Ques-
ton OF property Is not invalid An in
valid soldier who lost a limb in battle is
entitled 10 a pension OF 500 annually no
matter whether he be millionaire or pau
per. and the same Is true as to the right
OF his widow 20 a pension An INDECENT
soldier on the other hand must not only
certify as TO his poverty. but afadavits
from at least one other citizen or comrade
must be made 10 fully establish the fact.
and the same legal requirements are ex-
acted OF the INDECENT soldiers widow. II
viii be seen therefore. that we have two
separate and slstinct methods OF granting
pensions 20 our Confederate soldiers and
their widows I'm this state
Making All Indigents.
The proposition which has been under
discussion for the past four years BY
the general assembly IS 10 determine up
on a property qualification as regards the
invalid soldiers and their widows re-
ducing the whole system practically to an
INDECENT basis II IS suggested by the
advocates OF this measure that a consid-
cradle reduction IN the pension fund can
be made and the taxes correspondingly
reduced. as quite q number OF the invalid
soldiers and the widows OF such soldiers
are now drawing pensions who are fnan-
ciaIly able TO support themselves with
out assistance from thsastate- IL is fur
Their stated in connection with this propo-
sftion 20 apply the pruning knife to our
present pension rolls that Georgia Is con-
triburfng more money annually 70 the
cause OF pensioning her Confederate sol