The National tribune., 1909-10-28
TIE OLD AGE RATES.

| What we propose to do in advancing
the age rates as embodied in The Ma
tional Tribune Bill is in the line OF a
policy universally followed by all CIV
ilized Nations. Every Nation which
pretends to vigorous government and
progressive existence finds an army ana
navy necessity, and the cultivation OF
a military spirit among its people vital
to its existence and progress. Nothing
contributes moro to this than tender
care in their old age of the men who
in their youth fought the battles OF the
country and maintained the honor Of
It's Flag. This is always a conspicuous
object lesson continually presented to
the attention of the rising generation
and most powerful way of inculcating
in their minds the duty and glory of
serving their country in time Of need.
| No description of France is ever COM
plete without full mention of the In
valides, where the veteran soldiers of
the Empire were affectionately cared
for, and this care was made manifest
\ to all who visited the country. France
continually boasted of what she was
doing, and continually pointed out how
everywhere were her veterans and
| widows provided for in some way in
places under the Government and spe-
cial opportunities given for providing
for their own support. The same is
true Of Germany and England. Ger
trr1a nrrat
Of her veterans and their widows as
France, tho we do not hear so much
about it.
In all Of these countries story of
veteran or his widow being allowed to
suffer from want arouses the keenest
advance in years the care and provision
for them becomes much more conspic-
uous.
We have followed out the same policy
in this country from its beginning, but
it has not been so well organized and
systematic as in Europe. As the vet
Grams of the Revolution and the War of
1912 advanced in years they were
watched over carefully and from time
to time special bills were passed giving
them up to 800 a month.
The National Tribune Bill simply
proposes to systematic and make gem
eral the policy which the Government
has followed with the veterans of its
previous wars. Instead of having these
veterans made dependent upon the ef-
forts of politicians and the uncertain
favor of congressman, as was the case
with their predecessors. we propose
that they all be placed on the same
footing by a general law which will ad-
vance their pensions as their years in
|crease. Instead of having some one
being singled out by some active Repre-
sentative or Senator for the receipt of
a large pension, we propose that all
shall be taken care of upon exactly the
this will mot only be an act of the
simplest Justice, it will not only be a
small repayment by the Nation for SER
vice rendered, but 1t will also be worth
many times the money that it may cost
in the stimulus 1t will give to the patri
otic and military spirit of the rising
generation. Nothing can be more i'm
pressive upon young minds than to have
in the community a man who served
his country in his youth and is now in
his old age being supported by the
generous provision of The Government.
a few veterans and their widows in
every community receiving this allow
ance from the Government will be worth
any number of recruiting Sergeants in
arousing the patriotism of the youth.
1t will be the strong reinforcement of
practical object lesson to all the teach
ings OF patriotism and all the rhetoric
about the glory and dignity Of the coun-
try and the duty Of sustaining it at
times OF crisis.
MISSOURI TAXES.