The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-11-29

mod conduct, has fallen victim to bis zeal and
exertions in the discharge Of his duty.
The army is In high state Of dhciplins. IT.
moral condition, 80 far AZ that s known here. y
GOOD. and the various branches Of the public ser
vice are carefully attended to. II 10 amply ssfhc-
lent undsrits present organization for Provdng !ne
necessary garrisons for the ssa-board and for the
defiance Of the internal frontier, and also for pre-.
serving the elements Of military knowledge ana
for keeping pace with those Improvements which
modern experience is continually making. And
,hcse objects appear to me to embrace all the le-
ri,imate purposes for which permanent military
force should be maintained in our country. The
lessons of history teach us its danger, and the
tendency which exists to an increase.
This can be best met and averted by just
caution on the part Of the public itself, and ol
those who represent them in Congress.
From the duties which delove on the Engineer
Department, and upon the Typographical Engin-
eers, a different organization seems demanded by
the public nterst, and recommend the subject 10
your consideration.
No important change has, during this season.
taken place in the condition Of the Indians. Ar
rangenents are in progress for the removal OF The
Creeks, and will be soon for the removal oi the
Semnoles. regret that the Cherokees east OF
community, 10 remove. How long the personal
causes which have heretofore retarded that ulti-
matcly inevitable measure, will continue 10 oper-
ate. | am unable to conjecture. II is certain,
however, that delay will bring with it accumula-
ted evils which will render their situation more
and more unpleasant. The experience of every
year adds to the conviction, that emigration, ana
that alone, can preserve from destruction the
remnant of the tribes yet living among us. The
facility with which the necessaries Of life are pro
cured. and the treaty stipulations providing aid
for the emigrant Indians in their agricultural pur-
suits, and in the important concern OF education,
and their removal from those causes which have
heretofore depressed all and destroyed many OF
the tribes, cannot fail to stimulate ther exeruohs
and 10 reward their industry.
The two laws passed al the last session Of Con-
ctess on the subject of the Indian affairs, have
heep carried into effect, and detailed instr uctons
for their administration have been given. 1t VIII
he seen by the estimates for the present session,
that a great reduction will take place IN the ex;
,cnditures of the department in consequence of
the.e laws. And there is reason TO believe that
their onsr,tion will be salutary, and that the
colonization Of the Indians on the western iron
tier toye,her with judicious spstem OF admins
,r,tion will still further reduce the expenses OF
iii; branth of the public service, and al the same
time promote its usefulness and efficiency.
Circumstances have been developed, showing
the existence of extensive frauds under the
various laws granting pensions and gra,"'.ies lot
RaV
mate the amount which may have been thus
f,,raulenty obtained from the national treasury
I am satisfied. however, it has been such as 10
;us,ify reorganization OF the system, ana 'nf
sdoni;on of the necessary checks in It's admins
tration. All will agree, that the services ant
suff;,ripgs Of the remnant OF our Kevontionary
band. should be fully compensated. Dnt WINE
this is done, every proper prccauton shouid OF
taken to prevent the admission OF fabricated and
fr,udulent clnims In the present mode OF pro
ceed;no the attestations and certificates OF Judi
c;aI officers of the various States, form consd
erab,e norton of the checks which are inserPoset
AGAINST the commission Of frauds Ihese, now
ever. have been, and may be, fabricated, ana II
.ucb n way as TO elude detection, at the examin
;na ory;ces And independently Of this practca
d;f6cnltv. il is ascertained that these document
are often loosely granted sometimes, even bani
certificates have been issued; sometimes prepare
naners have been signed without inquiry ana
In one instance at least, the seal of the cour' ia
bccn within reach of person most interested II
its improper Application. -
u Is obvious that, under such circumstances m
severity Of administration can check the abuse O
the law and information has, from time to tine
hoen communicated to the Pension Ofhce, quest
;on;no or dcnyiny the right OF persons placcd
,,non The pension list TO the bounty of the coun-
trv. Such cautions are always attended 10 ano
Examined But far more general investisauoh
is call. d for, and therefore recommend, IN con,
form;,v with the suggestion of the Secretary Of
war. That an actual inspection should be made
in cnch State, into the circumstances and claims
ofeverv person now drawing pension. !l'e
honest veteran has nothing TO fear from such q
scrutiny. while the fraudulent claimant VIII be
detected, and the public treasury relieved 10 all
amount. have reason to believe, far greater than
has heretofore been suspected. The details o'
such plan could be SO regulated as TO interpose
cba MI burtnenSOmC
operation upon the pensioners. The object should
be two.iold-
l. To look into the original justice Of the
claims so far as this can be- done under prorsi
system of regulations, by an examination OF th'
claimants themselves, and by inquiring, IN 'h'
vicinity of their residence, into their history
and into the opinion entertained Of their revolu
tionary services.
g To ascertain, in all cases, whether the or
iginal claimant Is living, and this by actual per
sonal inspection.
This measure will, if adopted, be productive
think, of .he desired result, and l therefore
recommend it to your consideration, with the
further suggestion, that all payments should b'
xuspcnded till the necessary reports are received
Il will be seen by a tabular statement annex
cd 10 the documents transmitted to Congress
that the appropriations for objects connecte,
with the War Department, made at the last ses
sion, for the service Of the year 1884, excluding
the permanent appropriations for the payment o
military gratuites under the act OF June {, 1852
the appropriation of two hundred thousand dol
lars for arming and equipping the militia
and the appropriation OF ten thousand dollar
for the civilization of the Indians, which are no
annually renewed, amounted to the sum Of min
millions three thousand two hundred and sixty
one dollars, and that the estimate OF the nppr'
priation necessary for the same branches OF Sc
vice for the year 1895 amounts 10 tho sum of fiy
millions seven hundred and seventy eight thou
and nine hundred and sixty four dollars, maxim
difference in the appropriations Of the curreI
wear over the estimate of appropriations for IL
next, of three Millions two hundred and twen,
four thousand two hundred and ninety seven dc
lars.
The or;pcipal causes which have operated