The National tribune., 1903-05-07

,Jfo' HIS ucth appropriated
| business have been the most diligent read
ers of these publications. 1t is the benefit
which these men have derived that justi-
| ties the continued expenditure for free
education of this kind.
For these educational benefits. this De-
partment is justified and will always be
| maintained. with increasing scope and use
fulness, notwithstanding its paternalistic
| nature. For it is merely paternalistc and
not socialistic as tie postal service. in one
sense is, although the latter may be justi-
fed. too, on purely educational grounds.
If the Agricultural Department raised and
sold its seeds in the market in competition
with private enterprise, it also would be
an, object lesson in state socialism.
THE COST OF OUR FOREIGN INTERCOURSE.
The principal disbursements of the
State Department for foreign intercourse
We're:
Salaries of ambassadors and ..A.
Ministers SOB, 219.3I
Salaries, Charges dAfairs nd
interim NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 2S,41S.63
Salaries, Secretaries of Embas
sizes and Legations 49,. 44,SiG.11
Salaries, Interpreters to Lega
tons 15.5712l
Salaries. Consular service . JJ6 12i 16
Allowance for clerks at Con
suIates ................. 114.973.OO
Salaries, Consular clerks ..... 11,O16.ol
Salaries. Marshals for Con-
sular Courts ....... 7,779.5G
Salaries, Interpreters to Con-
suiates NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 15,Sf6.S2
Contingent expenses, foreign
=, missions .............:... 204,O17.90
Contingent expenses, United
States COnsulates ..... 249 S323 81
Buildings and grounds for Lee
-, Cation in Pekin, China -. 100000
Transporting remains of diplo-
matte officers, Consuls. and
:, Consular clerks ....:...... 2,O7s.41
Emergencies arising in the
Diplomatic and Consular
Service ................. 144116.23
bringing home. criminals..... 2,1G2.G0
Expenses of prisons for Ameri-
:, can convicts ..:......... 4,15S.53
Relief and protection of Ameri-
- can .seamen ......:....... 21,3O1 .43
Rescuing shipwreckcd Ameri-
can seamen ............ 2,99SOO
DISBURSEMENTS FOR PENSIONS.
The Post Office appropriat atoms are for
the hscal year next ensuing the largest
made by Congress. Until now, the pen
SONS appropriations have been the largest.
for several years past. There is still more
or less growing in certain quarters over
this expenditure, which during the last 10
years has ranged from $139,0 600 TO
f''"'NpODDco IL Is, however.
one of the most popular disbursements
made by the General Government and one
OF the most useful-tO say nothing of its
patriotic features.
When the last great act of general pen
sion legislation, that of 1890, was pending
in Congress, Bishop Potter of New York,
in an address at Harvard University
classed the sentiment which demanded its
passage, among the menacing periIs of
the Republic! This cold-bloodcd utter
ance. shameful to him who spoke and de-
grading to those who heard without re-
buke, finds an occasional echo in the rub
lie press. One journal in New York City.
conspicuous for its hostility to all rcco,-
milton of the men who fought the battles
OF the Union, sought to cast odium upon
our pension system by a contrast between
its cost and that Of the standing armies of
some European states. But the LOYAL peo-
pie of America who vowed that their
debt to the Nations creditors should he
paid to the utmost farthing, and heroical-
~ fulhl!ed their VOW, were and still are
equally resolute that the no less sacred
debt to the Nations broken and needy de-
tenders shall also be paid. That there has
been delay in pressing the payment is
TO them no excuse for pleading the statute
of limitations. Wall street ecclesiasticism
may protest, and satanic journalism may
revile, but the plain people, whom Lincoln
''o''u, VIII never pIbNe IaISe TO their
Obligations of gratitude and honor.
A RECURRING QUESTION.
1t is not new question. As long ago
as 1907, John Randolph, of Virginia.
pleading for larger measure of justice to
the survivors of the Revolution, used this
expressive language:
with what face could the Government
call on the youth of the Nation to turn
out in the public defense. when their ewes
were everywhere assailed by the spectacle
Of their countrymen and kindred. veterans
of the Revolution, who had raised the
proud fabric of our independence begging
from door to door for morsel of bread
1t is impossible to contemplate the condi-
ton of these gallant men, who, after Civ
ing to their country everything, are con
signed by it to beggary and want, with
out sensations of Indignation and shame.
as well as of commiseration. But it is n
subject on which l will not dwell. l can
not supply feelings for those who are desti
tute of them, and should as soon under
take to raise the dead, as to excite those
whom the subject itself is unable to
move"
The War Of the Revolution had ended
"A years before those words were spoI,en