Service Pensions

The Senate bilí has passed the House to give $8, per month to every soldier over sixty years of age, to every disabled soldier aud to the widows of deceased soldier needing asslstance. It is estimated thatof the 2,778,304 soldicrs of the war, nearly one-half are still alive. Some 200, ■ 000 of them are now over 60 years, wliile the average age of the soldiers Is about 52 years. Some curious statistics show that when the twentieth century begins there will be over a million survivors; in 1910 the number will be 62G.231 ; in 1920, 251,727, or 30 years frora thls time over a quarter of a million left, in 19:10 there will be 37,000 and in 1945 less than a huniired. This is grand good legislation, which makes it all the more unfortunate that It is opposed by Southernera and their Northern poli t cal allies. But we should expect it lnasmuch as the most of the ïnoney goes nortli and to repubücans. It remalns now for the Senate to ratify the action of the House, and a compromiso will probably be effected that will make the bilí a law very soon. This blll deals with all who defended their country, justly and liberally. It gives them a pension wlien they will most need it. They were patriots who saved this nation, and it is rightthat they should be rewarded, and it is far botter for us to spend this money among our own needy than to waste it on vast standing armies and their useless equiptnents. It fulfllls the promise of Abraham Lincoln "to care for him who has borne the battle, and for his widow and orphans."