Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1913-05-30
SzAzZlE ar Gz1yER4I H7QzzAS

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 its
dead and assure the perpetuation of the name
and the credit of the martial hero
Twelve freight trains of 25 cars each would
be required to haul the money In 2O-dollar gold
pieces that this nation has paid out in pensions
to the veterans of the Civil war. Ten freight
cars would be required to haul the money In gold
that the nation pays to It's veterans in a single
year. These amounts promise to be greatly aug
mented by legislation pending before con-
gress.
The pension Office in Washington is the pri.
mary monument in honor of the old soldier II
was built with the particular idea in mind OF
furnishing a clearing house for the gratuities
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 sums that go to the
pensioners cost the government $2 900 last
year, The net sums paid out in pensions has
during the last few years amounted around
160,00000O annually
This appropriation would mean a couple OF
dollars to every man, woman and child in the
nation. Indirectly every man, woman and child
contributes couple of dollars to it.
The government has expended in pensions to
date for all the Of the past little over
000000000. OF this SO 900 900 900 was 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 $3,55600O00O 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 re
ceived So, In the course Of drawing their
stipends 1t is evident that the pensions have at
one time or another had all the money there Is
There is but $175O, 100000 in gold coin in the
United States. There is not half enough gold coin
In existence to have paid these pensions had the
call come all at once The government has paid
out altogether $50 carloads Of gold coin In pen
sions. All its gold might have been used two
and one-half times over in the process II this
a twelve trainloads Of gold were loaded at once II
would require but nine additional trainloads to
haul the balance of the gold coin of the world
These pensions paid quite cheerfully There
Is hardly dissenting voice in congress when a
proposal to increase pensions is introduced. The
people approve of the action. They worship at
the shrine of the martial hero and are willing at
all times to be taxed that he may be given
further pittances
The pension appropriation is the largest indi
vidual 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-
gram of economy but no suggestion is ever made
that the pension roll be cut. When measures
of pension increases are 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 clear-listed and nc
questions are asked The veteran and his pen
sion are held sacred
When the question is raised as to who shall
secure position under Uncle Sam, the veteran IL
again given the advantage. In the civil service
in the first place, the age limit is removed from
the old soldier Be his age what 1t may the
positions are all open to him. In the examina
tions that must be taken under civil service rules
the veteran need secure an average of but 65
while the civilian must rate at least TO-