PENSION FRAUDS by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 3, 1898

“PENSION FRAUDS.”

By Editor

UNDER the above heading on the last page of our first issue of the current volume we published a note with a quotation from the New York Thrice-a-Week World, which on the face of it indicated that something is wrong somewhere in the pension business. Whether the World is right or not in its estimates, is not the point in consideration now. The note was written to show that in the matter of pensions, as in many other things, the spirit of fraud and robbery of the public was in evidence. But since publishing that note we have received several letters from old soldiers condemning us for lack of sympathy, and the World as an enemy. Respecting these charges we wish to say:—

1. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES has never uttered one word against any deserving pensioner. The note criticised expressly said:—

“That those who imperiled their lives to defend and maintain a government in time of strife should be pensioned, we heartily believe. The widows and children of those who were slain should be amply supported [of course according to law]; against all honest pensioning and receivers of pension we would not utter one word. They deserve it and should have it.”

Now what is there wrong with this? Do any “old soldiers” believe differently?

2. We have never read anything contrary to these sentiments in the Thrice-a-Week World. All that that paper asks is that fraudulent pensions be stopped. It may be wrong in its estimate of the extent of the fraud, but is it not right in denouncing the fraud? It would seem to us that every honest old soldier would for the sake of his country and comrades say that every fraud should be exposed. The World asks that the list of pensioners be published.

3. This demand is seconded by many others. At present Hon. Clifton B. Beach, Republican representative from Ohio, has a bill before Congress providing that there shall be published by the Commissioner of Pensions each year, on March 1, a true and accurate statement of each pensioner, his name, place of residence, date of allowance of pension, etc., etc. The Christian Advocate says what it seems to us should commend itself to every honest “old soldier”:—

“There is no doubt that many persons are receiving pensions from the government who are not entitled to them, and the passage of this bill, and the rigid enforcement of penalties that should attend the issue of fraudulent pensions, will undoubtedly do much toward the elimination of many bogus cases. Some days ago the New York Sun published a list of about thirty-six hundred pensioners, giving their residences and amount of their pension, and from many quarters the Sun has received information that certain persons mentioned in that list were dead, or have no legitimate claim on the government. The pension list is a roll of honor, and no pensioner should object to its publication or to the removal therefrom of every case of fraud.”