Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-10
MORE MONEY
NEEDED FOR
PENSIONS
ROLLS NEXT YEAR WILL RE-
oUIRE MORE THAN LAST.
LINDSEY SAYS THE ROLLS
SHOULD BE PURGED.

Commissioner of Pensions ]. ". Lind
say in his annual report TO the legislature
states that $4,000 will be needed to meet
the pension rolls of Georgia next year.
He makes his estimation from the names
on the old rolls and the new names which
have been added to the rolls during the
year 1902
The total amount paid out for pensions
during the year 1872 was SS22695. In 1881
the amount paid out was sSS5.SS5. The re-
port shows, therefore, that instead Of de-
creasing the amount required to meet the
pension payments is increasing every
year. Since the close OF the war Georgia
has paid out ss.sSSS2o in pensions to the
Confederate veterans and their widows.
The following is Commissioner Lindsey's
estimate:
Disabled soldiers paid for 12oa.....-3.4il
New ones added for 1893 -...--...... =
Total Of roll for 1sa ............al7
Estimated loss from this roll since
last payment az Der cent
Ne ray On $50 ron. - :. :. :. ..as00
Amount required e. 1ss.OOO Co
WidoTs' roll paid for 800 .......5.2I
WIDOWS added 20 this for Is2
Total on this roll for $50 -..--.---S'z-s
Los By death. etc. since last pay
payment estimated az a. per
cent -.-... IA
To pay on rolls Of 1910 ..........aoH
Amount required ---.-...-.--..-. $500 %
Indieens soldiers paid for 1soz ...sOsI
Added % this roll for iss BY ap-
prevails --l.-so
Total On this ron for ISos ....T.ss7
Estimated los By deaths etc. since
last payment az per cent ss
Net number to pay for lsOs ......sSsi
Amount required -.-.-...------.- $1,000 %
InaiEent widows to be paid for 1905 ISIS
Added 70 this By appruvals for laoo 4is
Total number on rolls for 800 LIZ
Estimated loss BY death. etc, att
Net number to pay 1870 ..........1.ssI
Amount required. o. - .. -. Ioo.ooo 90
Total amount estimated that will
Be needed TO pay on all rolls.
Commissioner lindsey in his report says
that the rolls are now burdened with men
who never saw the enemy. On this line
he says:
The pension system established by the
state will soon be costing the people
million dollars annually. and IL Is impos-
sible 20 administer that system properly
and disburse this large sum OF money
without some way OF ascertaining who
those are that are entitled TO IL. The PEN
burdCned with men who never saw the
enemy. and in many instances. deserters.
To allow such is a disgrace 10 the soldier
and the state, and IL is fastening upon the
state a class OF unworthy benehciaries.
A roster viii bring about a purging Of
rolls and drive away the unworthy, and
put the true soldier as a pensiOner in his
true light before the world, and make the
pension rolls what they were intended to
be a roll OF honor.
Another great need is 10 break up an
other class OF frauds that is fastening it,
self upon the pension system. That is, 10
provide BY law for the appointment Of
oficial examiners OF all applicants for
pensions not local In character, and pay
them for their work.
There are lots OF honest and trustwor-
thy doctors in Georgia. and there are lots
OF bad ones who will not scruple at any
thing: and the applicant for pension has
learned TO evade the honest doctor. and go
20 the bad one. which brings him 70 the
front as one willing 10 make and swear
70 an examination that viii get pension.
There are exceptions to this under the
present system. but the practice should
be stopped BY providing by law for truth
full and trustworthy examinations by state
officials. TO be appointed by the govern
or"
He also recommends that payments be
made quarterly instead OF annually.