Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-12-18

married prior TO January, lcUo' uhuer 's Id" '''e
number pensioned is ooo
It will thus be seen that the benehclales under
the laws designed to provide for The soldiers o 'ne
Revolution and he widows Of those who were aeau
are rapidly passing away:
But. on tie other hand, the number OF pe's'o"e,'
under ,he acts for the relief ofinvalds and the WA,
ows of those who died in the service OF lhe ohleu
States has been considerably augmented during the
Lpast year, in consequence OF lhe war WIFI Nies
The number of invalid pensioners is now 4,f4@'
being an increase during the year OF 627
JViao,os of Soldiers engaged in the .ue"ic0n war
Under the act of 21si July, 1913, and the supple
men,arv act of 22d February. lS49, and the JOINT
resolution of the 2Slh September, lS50, allowing
pensions to the widows and orphans oil soldiers VINO
were killed in the Mexican war, or died from disease
contracted in the service, the number 2ensoheu IS
1856.
.4aount Expended.
The whole amount expended for pensions during
the past wear is estimated by the Commissioner al
Sl,400,00O
There has been paid since 1st November, 1919,
on account of revolutionary service OF Virginia Stale
troops and navy, SSS060.30 and as commuiatlon
or bafpay and interest, s, ,l3o,o45'44'
Land Wmrams-ReUolmiona Serclce
The whole number land warrants issued 10 COM
missioned officers Of the continental army Is 2'o2o
To non-commissioned officers and prvates 9,|o2
Land is still due to IL officers and 10 l,993 nom
commissioned officers and prvates.
Tar cfls12.
Whole number of warrants issued 10 persons en-
titled under various acts of Congress for services IN
,he ,e' war; Of 1919 is 2S,97S
.Ncrican Far.
The number of claims presented for SER
vices in the Mexican war is Sl,3I3 w
And for scrip or money, in lieu Of land 1882 W
Mokinc an prcrccote of S94, ,705 90
The General Bounty Land Lar Of Sept 2S'h,looO
The number Of claims already presented under
This comprehensive law up to the 5h of n ovember
1850. was 94lS, and the number is increasing rap
dly-scarcely mail arriving which does not swell
the lis!
The whole number Of persons who(livng would
be entitled to the benefit Of that law would exceed
half ia million.
The Commissioner supposes, from the best data
within his reach that onehaf are dead' leaving no
person entitled TO claim under them. lfhs estimate
be correct-and imagine it will be found to approx
innate accuracT-the whole number Of claimants will
be about itco hundred and ftty thousand
II will thus be seen that the act OF 2Slh September
1850. is bv far The most important bounty land law
that has ever been passed, whether we consider the
number of beaefciaries under lis provisions or the eX
tent Of the domain granted .,,.
Deeply impressed with the responsibility incident
10 the administration Of trust of such magnitude
have sought to make the necessary arrangements 10
ensure its prompt and efficient execution. Forms
1 1e
applicants in presenting their claims, and assurances
given that every proper facility will be afforded for
the establishment Of Just demands under the law.
Plates have been ordered to be engraved for printing
the warrants, and every precauon has been adopted
TO guard against fraud and forgery. These plates
will soon be completed, and there need then be no
delay in commencing the issue of warrants. regret
TO say, however, that the law contains no provision
for the employment and compensation OF The clerical
force necessary for its own execution. w
Under the terms Of the aw,as have been consIran-
ed 10 construe them the warrants are not assgnabe.
The holders Of them cannot, therefore. make them
available until they have been located and patented
This process will necessarily require considerable
time. and is therefore peculiarly proper, in order TO
the er,ovment of the bounty by those for whom 1t
was intended that no unnecessary delay should be
encouned To avoid this evil, The Commlsslonerre re-
commends that provision be made for the employ
ment of two efficient clerks, with salary oi Pl,|OO
EACH competent to investigate the claims OF appii-
canls This recommendation Except IN regard 10
the amount of salary, which Is unnecessarily argel
meets my cordial approval and the only do"o' ,
have is whether two will be sufficient. 10 guard
against all contingencies would respectfully urge
the propriey Of authorizing this Department. IN Tie
event that Two clerks should prove insufficient to
/ ;,l IL, ON n
in addition, and such temporary assistants as may be
required from time to time. Unless the Department
has the means Of adjudicaling the claims as last as
they are presented, and of issuing the warrants when
they are allowed, dissatisfaction and suspicious o
lavorlsm will inevitably arise.
Should Congress concur h these views ol The sub
jec shall esteem il no less privilege than duly
TO see that their benelcent policy is carried out with
all practicable despatch and economy.
Public Lands.
The report OF the Commissioner of the General Land
Office exhibits some very interesting facts. The surveys
Of the public lands have been pressed forward with com
mendabe activity and, having been completed in several
Sntes the archives connected with them have been dey
cred 10 the State authorities as required by law
.9cre;
an amount SaDs t., to '''''' ""'' - ' 1,9299O2 n
Area located in that year in satisfaction OF
Mexican war bounty land warrants 3,4Oo,52O VI
''I.T 1smber is'f'8lI lslI '''O'' '' ~ " 259 SOC &C
Jmproyements drivers Sc 1875. .246 2l
Chocrsw certificates 53 1886 3$
Total ACRES thus disposed of 5,lS4,4lO 81
have have been bee sold sold 4'''' vs. s69,oS2 81
Located by Mexican bonny land warrants
during the Isl and I'd and part Of ihe Sd -
Stale selections under the act Of lS4l 379,905 IS
! Choc,,,v cor,iGc,,es 46,360 81
Aggregate thus disposed Of in the lst, %, occ 40
and part Of lhe Sd quarters of 1850 "'0l''ooo -
1t is shown by the Commissioner report 'na' the Pu''c
ads have been rich of revenue to the
-. aA nnL nnnrler millions of dollars pet