Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-05-31
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But everywhere under the Stars and Stripes on
Memorial day there is outpouring of those
who pay homage to the soldier dead Every
where is evidenced the thoroughness and eff
cheney of the nations attempt to take of it's
dead and the perpetuation of the name
and the credit of the martial hero.
Twelve freight trains Of 25 each would
be required to haul the money in 20dollar gold
pieces that this nation has paid out in pensions
to the veterans of the Civil Ten freight
cars would be required to haul the money in gold
that the nation to its veterans in single
year. These amounts promise to be greatly aug
mented by legislation pending before
gress.
The pension Office in Washington is the pri-
mary monument in honor of the old soldier. 1t
built with the particular. idea in mind of
furnishing a clearing house for the gratuties
which the government extends to him 1t is the
largest building ever erected by the federal gov
eminent. The maintenance of the pension service
alone in its handling of the that go to the
pensioners cost the government 50, 100000 last
year. The net paid out in pensions has
during the last few years amounted around
$16O 900 900 annually.
This appropriation would couple of
dollars to every man. woman and child in the
nation. Indirectly every man, and child
contributes a couple of dollars to it
The government has expended in pensions to
date for all the of the past little over
$4,000 100000 OF this SO. 900 100000 received
by Civil war veterans Four billion dollars is an
enormous amount of money. There is at present
in the United States, including all the gold silver
and paper money in all the treasures banks,
wallets and old socks. but s3,556,000000. This
is to say, there is not enough money in the
United States today to pay at single time, the
pensions that the Civil veterans have
ceived. So, in the of drawing their
stipends 1t is evident that the pensions have at
time another had all the money there is
There is but s1,75O 100000 in gold coin in the
United States. There is half enough gold
in existence to have paid these pensions had the
call all at The government has paid
out altogether $50 carloads of gold coin in pen
sons All its gold might have been used two
and oneha1f times over in the process. If this
twelve trainloads of gold were loaded at once 1t
would require but nine additional train1oads to
haul the balance of the gold coin of the world
These pensions paid quite cheerfu11y There
is hardly dissenting voice in congress when
proposal to increase pensions is introduced The
people approve of the action. They worship at
the shrine of the martial hero and willing at
all times to be taxed that he may be given
further pittances.
The pension appropriation is the largest indf-
vfdua1 item when each year, congress makes up
the list of governmental expenditures. Yet
scarcely voice is raised in disclaimer. Admin
istrations may lay heavy stress upon the pro-
that the pension roll be cut When measures
of pension increases brought before congress
not even the Democrats vote against them. When
investigating committees go roaming through
government departments in search of financial
leaks the pension office is clearlsted and no
questions asked The veteran and his pen
sion held sacred
When the question is, raised to who shall
secure position under Uncle Sam. the veteran is
again given the advantage. In the civil service.
the old soldier Be his age what it may, the
positions all open to him: In the examina-
lions that must be taken under civil service rules
the veteran need average of but IS,
while the civilian rate at least TO-