La Junta tribune., 1904-10-15
ORDER NO. 7s
which Judge Parker VIII Not Have
Chance TO Revoke.

. Chance to Revoke.
Nothing In the Democratic Quivss OF
whereases against President Roosevelt
has failed 30 utterly as that arraigping
his pension order No. IS, making the
proof OF certain ages by old soldiers
evidentiai facts of certain degrees Of dis
ability.
II the order had been cunningly de-
vised to betray the great constitutional
lawyers of the Democracy into making
more than the usual kinds OF continental
asses of themselves IL could not have
succeeded more completely and lndicrous-
ly. When the great Parker Constitu-
ton Club" OF New York, started in to
urraiRn Theodore Roosevelt for going
through the constitution as il II were
a paper hoop in a circus ring, it attack
ed his issuance of order No. 7S in these
words:
I'VE ind that President Roosevelt de-
tberately disregarded Article 1, Section ..
of the Constitution. providing NO money
shall be drawn from the Treasury, bur IN
consequence Of appropriations made BY
law"
Now, what are the facts?
Order No. IS assumes that an old
soldier who Is c. years of age Is prob
ably able to earn only one-half Of the
support the statute provides in case Of
total disability. at which stage he ar
rives when he is seventy. sand says he
shall be entitled to the munificent sum
of 80 per month AS a pension; and II
finds that at 65 he IL two-thirds disabled
and entitled to 50.
There can be no serious objection to
the principle OF the order. which l.
based on the experience Of mankind -
to the gradual decay OF human powers.
II ~ nDfIs
as able TO ''earn q support" at seventy
as at thirty. but the vast majority at
sixty have passed the line where they
are fully capable Of doing so in the
performance Of manual labor" and the
evil days approach when "the grasshop-
Der shall Be q burden and desire shall
fail"
Order No. 7S merely recognizes the
course Of nature, but It draws no money
out Of the treasury without authority
Of law. II was ijkued March Is, 1904.
to be elective April 13. 1904. Congress
being In session it was reported to that
body with the request that $1,5OO.OO0
be appropriated to carry il into eject.
The sum was embodied in the pending
deficiency bill, after free discussion the
money was voted, and In due order under
the Act Of Congress, the pensions began
to issue, and not till then Every cent
paid under Order No. IS was drawn
from the treasury In consequence Of 'an
appropriation made by law"
Exit the Parker Constitution Club. Of
New York, with It's constitutional sars
at half mast.
Now, mark the sequel: On September
10 last, S1.41O.OO0 was covered back
into the treasury as the unexpsnded
balance Of the appropriation of $1.500.-
600, after paying 10000 on 1897
claims adjudicated In April. May and
June to the end Of the fiscal year. OF
the certificates issued only $3.50 Vsrs
for original pensions 10 veterans whs
had reached the age Of sixty-twe -
upward, asd 14,76e were increases al
bowed to elaimants who were recsjvtag
pensioos for disability less than tie
amount 70 which they were ssettjs1
under the pension for age.
Thus. Il will be perceived. the 6f1aa
e . hsavy pension raid oa the tfea1asy
b. rsason Of Order No. - has opae
eil00esinG along With the constitutiesal
AyanFSes q the Parker Constituf3so
CloD e HOV Yogh.