New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-15
THE PENSION QUESTION.
Appeal for Minimum General Ser
Uice .AUo7eance for DiSabiLtq.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: At the recent annual encampment Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic. IN San Francisco
resolution was adopted recommending pension OF
So a month TO all honorably discharged veteran
soldiers and sailors of the late Civil War applying
for the same. This proposition is somewhat diner
ent from a service pension. which has been neiore
the Congress the United States at different ties
but without success. The time has now come, IN
the judgment OF the Grand Army. when some pro-
vision should be made for the assured aud certain
support Of ex-soldlers over siXty-two who cannot
comply with the strict requirement OF the pension
laws and the rulings OF the Pension Department.
but VINO at the same time are entitled 10 the
bounty OF the government
No sooner, however, the resolution spread
broadcast than John J. Bryan, OF brunswick
n J. under date OF August 3. writes a letter 10
The Tribune and enters protest against the pen
sion demands made upon the American people"
and asks that you lend the "weighty influence OF
your paper in the formation Of right sentiment
against any such proposition Mr.. Bryan seems 10
forget the historical fact that civilized ma
ton has provided in some form for its aged and
infrm veteran soldiers. The United States has al
ways made such provision The survivors OF the
Revolutionary War were all pensioned' the sur
vivors Of the War OF 1872 and OF the Mexican War
who served sixty days were pensicned. and no pa
riotic citizen this republic would for an instant
claim that the inestmable services rendered IN the
War Of the Rebellion were not much entitled TO
consideration those rendered IN any other war
IN which our country has been engaged.
General Thomas J. Stewart, late commander In
chief Of the Grand Army. states the average age
OF the survivors of the war to be about sixty-rVe
years SO that the amount would be paid on an
average for about three years, and that could not
possibly bankrupt the country, with its surplus OF
&e0o00.0) The Commissioner OF Pensions All.
Ware in his forthcoming annual report. makes
this statement las published in The Tribune OF Sep
tenber IL:
The uupensioned survivors Of the Civil War ex-
elusive OF deserters. are. in round NUMBERS <JoVV
This unknown army IS meeting with olsease, anu
for pensions the rate OF 1900 a year. IN Ten
years the unknown army will have ceased 10 De
factor
The promises OF the government Of the United
States al the beginning Of the great struggle ane
during every stage OF Its continuance, ano eve
since were and are sufficient to guarantee TO
Ia the Grand Army resolutions. II no other prom
Use had been made that OF Abraham Lincoln, in his
last inaugural message. OF March T. 1852, ought 70
be conclusive. He sale: lth nance to"aLu
none with charity fer all; with hTmness IN the
right, as God gives TO see the right, let Us
strive on to finish the work we are into ono up
have borne the battle. and for his widow aH9
orphan" Every consideration OF PATRIOTISM ana
duty requires the carrying out by the government
Of the United States in good faith, TO the unrest
extent and liberality, the words OF the Martyr
President TO care for him who shall have borne
he battle" Every national convention OF edCu
great political party since the war has pronounced
III favor Of liberal pensions for the soldiers
II seems TO me that The Tribune would De cere-
wears TO lend a helping hand TO deprive the sur
v1fng soldiers and sailors OF the small allowance
mentioned IN this Grand Army resolutlon- INC
the Congress Of the United States should see to II
HORACE D. BALDWIN.
Formerly member Company T., 3ith New-York Vol
ASdn. y Y. Sept. L. 1903