The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-22
'IREPIIr.s TO NATIONAL SCANDAL
kansan Resents Editorial in New York
World

To the Daily State Journal
In its issue of December Is of the
New York Tri-Weelzly World, paper
OF large influence and general clrcula-
ton throughout all the states OF the
Union appeared an editorial article
concerning the recent pension Dill
passed by the house of representatives
at Washington, entitled. "a Great \ a
tional Scandal to which. IN behalf OF
every honorably discharged old soldier
| wish to enter my earnest protest
This editorial raises the same cry that
is SO familiar. the increased cost OF the
pension budget. and calls upon the
senate to defeat the bill 1t refers to q
statement of General Garfield made in
Z congress 10 years after the war that
in his judgment the pension appr0pria-
ton of that time amounting to $50
COO 600 had reached its top. This edi-
tOrial article, il seems to me, lacks
every element OF patriotic sentiment.
every estimate OF honorable obligation
ON the part of the government If the
World will state that it is opposed to
all pensions for soldiers for any rea
son. including the pay of retired off
GERS of the army and navy, its position
would. at least be consistent. True
it would reverse the policy and prac-
tice of all civilized governments in
their dealing with their soldiers, but
the World might be able to show that
its policy was correct and that all the
wrong
The statement which General Car
field made 10 years after the close of
the civil war that the pension charge
of $35 O00, 600 had reached it's top, was
apologize, and showed that there We're
at that early period croakers and
kickers who bemoaned the few dollars
paid to the wounded and crippled SOL
diers whose ability to earn a living had
been lost in the service. These pro-
IL
characterized the vast expenditure of
$4,000 600 as a Great National Scan
dal." Hence General Garfield's apology
coupled with an assurance that the
crest had been reached
In the same issue of the Tri- Weekly
World which contained the editorial
referred to in its news columns. was
published under q st. Louis. No, date
line. an article featured with large
head lines, as follows:
Blue and Gray Pals in Poorhouse
Trip. Strange Meeting of Two Eeter-
ans Who Fought on Opposite Sides in
Civil War
This account relates the experience
.of an old Union soldier. IS years old
,and an old Confederate soldier. IS wears
old. both of whom were shot to pieces
in the war and both waiting for the
wagon TO take them "over the hill to
the poorhouse-" / would ask. is this
a cheerful spectacle for the World?
And does it recommend that all old
soldiers. similarly unfOrtuuafp he
placed in the same pOsitiOn2 Would
the World. and others holding the same
view, Rattle his bones over the
stones, for he is only a pauper whom
nobody owns ~ Which would be the
greatest National Scandal" the nav
ment by the government of its debt
OF honor to its defenders. or its silent
approval of the poorhouse and pauper
route for the old veterans, who by their
valor and sacrifice, among other things.
made the wonderful success Of the New
York World possible.
/ o. PICKERING
Olathe. Kan, December 20 1911.