New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-28
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE SUBJECT OF PENSIONS.
Shall the Expenditure Be Enlarged "A
Vigorous Protest.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The recent annual encampment Of the Grand
Army of the Republic, in California suggests anew
10 the American people the subject Of pensions.
We are now over thirty-eight years removed from
the close Of the Civil War. and pension roll is
about s140O0OOOO The old veterans passing
away, they tell US, at the rate Of about 10000 a
year. and yet by new and moro generous laws and
the enrolment Of now names the immense sum
above mentioned holds its own strenuousy- At
various times forecasts have been made indicating
sure reduction in the amount required, but reality
has ever proved these incorrect. No one dreamed
in the '7Os or sos, even, that the new century
would md the appropriations much larger than
they then were.
All honor 10 national defenders; the writer always
votes the Republican ticket. but wisdom should
be exercised in all matters. and the sense of pro-
portion should be evident in the expenditures
of the rich United States Treasury Human life
shows about three generations to a century; each
generation is liable have its own war and
burdens. and so limitations should appear In re-
spect TO time and amounts
We firmly believe that the long continuance Of
the enormous sum OF pension expenditure is a dis
appointment to many of the best and most thought
full of our citizens. When more liberal provision
has been made by laws. it has always been
found that the law PANIED out" larger than,
expected. 1t seems clear to the writer that
fresh demands should be made of the gen
erous American people until the present sl400OOC00
is considerably reduced. But the Grand Army
passes resolution and sends il across the country
TO the President. requesting Congress to make a
law that every veteran who reaches the age Cf
sxty-two shall be Pensioaed- And General Stewart.
the retiring comma uder in chief in his annual
report says: Il believe it would be wise appoint
a committee whose duty would be TO frame
proper bill and present the same to Congress pro-
VidIng for pension Of not less than So month
for all honorably discharged soldiers sailors or
marines VINO may choose 10 apply The applica-
ton. of course, may be taken for granted
We 1T the beginning Of a new century, and
glory all the ItJalnmentS or cation.
but when future generations ponder our expendi
lures and see how the great bulk o. our resources
is consumed for army, navy. battleshipS and PEN
siCns. will they not think that only touch
ing the hem OF the garments OF IDEAL civilized life?
Here. for instance, is the problem Of eevating
million blacks. An address by Regent Gardiner
before the convocatiOn of the University of New
sistance'' in the task of negro education: and it
kas received much favorable comment. When one
like Mr.. Slater or Mr.. Peabody gives for
educa ton. how precious IL appears! What blessings
IL brings Wise men meet TO appropriate the in
comes for most efficient uses, and yet these gen
erous amounts are the mereSt tribe compared with
that which enormous revenues might Weld
for the enrichment OF human life ana the safety
OF the republic
formation OF right sentiment Has any paper in
than The Tribune? We feel that it would be
great service TO the republic il the paper would
speak out and help exercise judicious restraint
the pension demands made upon the American
people JOIN }. BRYAN.
New-E3 Brunswick y. J, Aug % 1868.