The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-06
RICHARDSON MAKES
AN EXPLANATION
CoNGREssMAN FROM EIGHTH DIS
TRICT TELLS WHY HE VOTED
FOR THE BILL TO INCREASE FED
ERAL PENSIONS

Decatur, February 5.-(Special.)-
Some days ago a number of newspapers
In this congressional district made con-
siderable comment regarding the vote
of Judge William Richardson of Hunts
VILE, congressman from this district.
to increase the pensions of the federal
soldiers These newspaper stories were
the cause of much adverse criticism OF
Judge Richardson. For some time
judge Richardson kept quiet on the
subject, but he's now sent a letter of
explanation for publication to one of
the New Decatur newspapers.
The explanation of Judge Richardson
follows:
ST have noticed in one or more papers
in our district some criticism OF my
vote in favor of the bill for an increase
of pensions of federal and Mexican SOL
dters. These criticisms are not made
on reliable information or facts. The
increase under the bill that I voted. for
,s automatic being governed entirely
Nv the age of the soldier, and elimin-
ates the vicious policy of increasing
pensions by what is known as 'speclai
hills When the soldier reaches the
age of 81 years the increase is from $iz
to s15, and $50 at the age OF 30 years
s25 at the age of 10 years and Sso at
the age of rs gears.
nstatistics were submitted during the
debate on the floor of the House. es-
tablishing the fact that Increased pen
sion expenditures under the bill wouid
not exceed over s23,000,000. RECORDS
of the department show that the ieoerai
soldiers are passing away at the rate
of az oOo each year. and this rate Will
ronidlv increase in the next few years.
"1Jnder .he bill quite 5000 Mexican
so,diars are to receive s36 per month
,..taaa of s12 per month. which Is the
"a ting under the present law because
but very few of these veterans oi Tie
Mexican war are under 10 years OF age.
Certainly,no one can personally op'ee'
m doing these noble old men TINS tarus
,ustice. Under tho bill they receive AT
nually about one and one-auarter mn
lions of dollars. 1t was by the valor
~ tbase men that an empire was addea
~ our country. The invalid pension
.,n,;ttae composed of democrats and
ranublicaps made an unanimous report
recommending the passage Oh TIE oiii'
..rbe vote on the floor of the House
ros o12 in favor of the bill ana o1
oga,nst it. The call of the yeas anu
.,ovs, was not asked for by any one
voting against the BILL Our minority
leader. Mr. Clark, and quite 70. o'he'
democrats voted for the bill.
..I2,, this vote 1t is manifest tnat Jay
a., aside the question of merit ana
iustice the democrats re1us1u .he
ss,,,,,ant made in the recent campaign,
81. aemocratic success meant federal
soldtars and their widows would not
- daalt with in a generous ana KIM
spirit. editor would
d. snirit of harshness criticise me De
fnra Knowing the facts and condltiohs
connected with the scope and terms OF
The Bill 1 voted for. l am more tnan
willing. as have always been, TO give
our people an explanation OF any WI
that make on any question when my
call on me for 1t, or express III any
,nanner n desire to be informed
This explanation holds Judge Rich
.rdson IN in quite different light be-
fore the people of this district from
what he had been placed In by some OF
stbe newspapers 1t Is believed that II
will be perfectly. satisfactory to the
neople of Judge Richardson's district.
There has been some talk to the Ell
feet that Judge Richardson Will likely
have democratic opposition for the
no,rination for Congress next year. and
a. is believed that some of the news
No ners OF the district have been using
his vote on the pension bill against
him with the hope that 1t would ADD
strength to some other man VINO might
see fit to oppose hilsi'