Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-09-17
That Pension Order.

Perhaps no single ACT VI MI 1NOOoe-
Welt has drawn on him so much or such
serious criticism as the famous special
order No. IS. by which pensions We're
granted to practically all the Union
soldiers of the civil war, whether they
needed them or not, says the New Or
leans Times Democrat. There were
several reasons why this should be so.
The president in issuing the order-for
1t is recognized as coming from him
rather than from his appointee, the
commissioner of penSionS-shoSed the
greatest possible diSrespect for the con-
stitution. Upsetting the balance of pow
er established by the fathers of the re-
public ard invading the privileges of
another equal and coordinate branch
OF the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES The meas
ure. being distinctly Il revenue one,
could originate only in thc.lower branch
of congress.
The service pension had been brought
before the house. but could not pass,
and it was well known that congress
would not pass il at the last session.
1t was for this very reason-that the
measure was hopeless Mr.. Roosevelt
took it UP and, believing that by this
act hc would win the support of the
veterans. issued the famous order His
action i'll violating the constitution,
overriding congress. raiding the treas
ury ut a moment when our expenses
are already running above orr rove
4, IL p
Il presidential campaign. apparently for
tie purpose of winning votes, has nat
urally aroused interest. disgust and
great opposition. As We have said. no
act OF his administration has brought
him more diScrctiit.
Those who condemned his arbitrary
action viii hear with much satisfaction
that order No. IS. instead of having
the effect expected of it ana winning
him the applause of the veterans. has
fallen perfectly fiat. The veterans not
only do not return him thanks for if.
but practically suggest that they will
not recognize his authority ia acting
rs he did ana that they would greatly
prefer congress to.act on this case.
1t is said that Mr.. Roosevelt was
very anxious to 20 to the g. y. Il.
meeting ut BOSTON ana waS prevented
from doing 50 only by the urgent ad-
vice of his friends, who suggested that
such action would look most undigni-
fed ana as though lie was begging for
votes. Coming Immediately after order
No. IS. it would be popularity inter
pr9tcl rs meaning that the president
wanted 10 see how the order had tax
en-" and to receive the shouts that
would greet the benefactor Of the vet
eraNs.
It IS difficult to say how the presi-
dent would have been welcomed but
the action Of the convention shows an
unexpected lack of enthusiasm. The
presidents "a>tonishingly generous ac-
ton" as the Roosevelt organs speak of
his order giving the peoples money to
the veterans, was accepted NJ 4 mat
ter of course. and no thanks whatever
We're returned.
In his address to his comrades the
retiring commander in chief. General
Black. declared that they must not
cease their labors 10 have a service
pension law written on the statute
books. ana formal action was taken di-
recting the committee on legislation to
strive to effect the very same object
which the president secured to them.
but through the medium of legislation.
No special notice was paid to the pres
ident's anticipation of this achieve
meut. though the veterans are perhaps
aware that if legislation should be at
tempted rs proposed by them the
courts might deem it unconstitutional.
in which eventuality the order No. IS
would share. very likely. the same
fate. The president will observe how
the Grand Army takes his action in its
behalf" a strong Roosevelt paper re-
marks. apparently he STAYED off n
service pension law for n period, and
possibly he did the veterans no good at
all"
The New York Post, which is not
friendly 10 Roosevelt seizes the Oppor-
tunity 10 give him the following blow:
The report has. Of course. something to
say about the arbitrary increase in the
EiZe " pensions on account OF advancing
age Evidently executive order No. IS
did not have time before the close of the
last fiscal var really TO display its be-
netiCcnt character. Under II 4-.lO9 claims
were fled 10y June 90. and in the last
three months Of the year 1857 claims
were allowed. OF these 5 .76l We're two dol
between ming and adjudication" that the
amount OF money due prior to July l
amounted 20 less than so coo. IN other
words. II was i'm possible in the time at
IT'S disposal for the pension department to
use Up more than this Of the 81 5fu 90
voted by congress TO carry out order No 3
=. and the balance had TO go back into
the treasury. Plainly the order viii have
10 do better than this il will be regard !
81 With contempt by the Grand Army OF ,
the Republic. In fact. that orEanfza ton :
Is already viewing 81 a. insecure stan Z
At its meeting recently IN Boston Il was
urged 70 keep up the good fight for serv-
ice pension legislation. just as II order
No. 5 had never been issued Is IT afraid .
that after all. legislative law IS better
than executive law Is II fearful that 3
some future president, or even Roosevelt
himself. Will when least expected. take IL
into his head TO repeal the order?
The presidents bid for the veteran
vote at the expense of the taxpayers,