New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-09
OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Kansas is not the only State in which the
drift away from individualistic principles in
government is gaining Roadway. Massachu-
setts. too, seems to be edging toward expert
ments in legislation calculated to try the soul
of the old fashioned JeffersOnian. The Bay
State Legislature has been wrestling for some
years past with the old age pension problem.
The House Of Representatives debated on
Wednesday a pension measure adversely re-
ported by one of it's leading committees. But
in spite of this handicap the bill received
surprisingly generous support. 1t got So votes
against 81 in opposition. Last year similar
measure was defeated by 80 votes to 81.
In itself the defeated age pension scheme
was far from radical Its limitations were
numerous and far reaching. Y proposed to give
50 a week to all male citizens Of Massachusetts
of sxty-fve years or over. But the applicant
for pension was to have paid poll taxes con-
tinuOusy for twenty-five years. He was to be
required also to show that he had not within
five years previously been convicted Of a felony
that he possessed a good moral character and
that he was not addicted to the use of intoxi-
eating liquors. 1t was argued in support Of
the project that it would greatly increase the
States revenues from poll taxes, and that it
would also greatly reduce the number of paupers
now maintained at public charge in the local
almshouses. No estimate of the probable cost
of the experiment was submitted, however. and
the measure was attacked and defended mainly
on theoretical grounds. It's advocates declared
in effect, that the State owed every worthy
citizen a certain support in his old age regard
less of his own efforts TO secure himself against
heIpIessness and Indulgence. The opponents of
the scheme denounced it a hindrance to thrift
and selfdenial and as a departure from the
doctrine Of free competition and individual re-
sponSibility.
Certainly a general old ICE pension strikes at
the very root Of the individualistic theory Ac-
cordng to that theory every one is expected to
work out his own political and economic saliva
ton, If he fails to provide for his old age he
must pay the penalty. JeffersOnans believe in
the least possible governmental Interference
with the individual in his struggle for advance
ment. On humanitarian grounds they are willing
to offer some succor to those who have proved
unequal to the struggle Of life-tO the derelict
and the pauper. But they cannot logically admit
that the mere attainment of a certain age in
vests an individual with claim on the assist
ance of his fellows. To concede that would he
to invite a general assault on individu9Iisn in
economics and politics.
In our own ogislature-and i'm the Iegislat
ures of most Of the States-an old age pension
scheme would probably be classed as out-and-
out freak legislation. The American peOple will
have to unlearn a good deal before they con
sent to create an old age pension list main
tanned from the public treasury But the fact
that proposition Of this sort is being seriously
considered in commonwealth as progressive
and intelligent as Massachusetts is politically
suggestive. Is Massachusetts going to trv IN
rival Kansas a political experiment station
If so, we may look for suggestions even moro
radically Observation-Disclosures than that NJ sad
ding the State with the maintenance of nm
army of emeritus old age pensioners.