The daily union., 1856-01-20


june 30th 1854 and in relation bounty land during
the year ending September 3oth 1854 now respectfully
submit this report of its operations in the branches
during the years from those dates respectively s du-
ring the year ending June 30th, 1855 in pensions and
September 3oth, 1855, in bounty land
/ PENSIONS.
The business of the Office in this branch is divided into
several classes ..
.. lst--Invaiid Pensions.
These seem properly come first in order as the first
pensions granted by this government Of this class
AT first granted of disabilities incurred in
the war OF the revolution they have by various acts
time 10 time since been extended TO those disabled in
which this country has since been engaged and now
lhey are not confined TO those disabled in only
embrace those disabled while in service in time of peace
The number OF applications for new pensions and
Tor increases OF old OF this class which have been allowed
during the year. is 800 The whole number of pensioners
now on the rolls is 1920 being reduction of So during
the year. The annual amount of their pensions is $44s
os4 90 The amount paid during the year for pensions and
arrears is $454,5ss 49, a,... ~....' .r
How much this class of pensions has been extended be-
yond lis original limits will appear from the circumstance
that now there only invalid pensoner account Of
disabilities incurred in the war of the revolution.
The rule established by recent opinion of the Attorney
General as TO the true construction and meaning Of
tain phrases in the various laws granting invalid PENSIONS
has had most favorable effect in recalling that
strict and proper administration Of them which has since
been observed In this office But there defects in the
laws themselves which require remedy by legislative action
They authorize the allowance of pensions account Of
erain disabilities but make provision for any subse
quent examinations ascertain whether those disabilities
continue nor even for discontnuance of the pensions
should the dsconnuanee of the disabilities of
which they we're allowed in any way appear Hence If the
proper disability exists at the time of the allowance of
claim for an invalid pension it is granted for life without
any provision making its continuance depend upon the
continuance OF that disability would the sugges
tons of predecessors in this Office to the propriey Of
some Legislative action this point. 1t is OF
qnence now than formerly because the late with Mex
leo has given rise to large number Of claims for invalid
PENSIONS constantly increasing in which the nature of the
tho
and the less advanced years Of the pensioners afford
to doubt the continuance of the disabilities through
e and in many Instances already time has justified those
doubts 10y the full recovery Of the parties to whom pensions
have been allowed Yet is doubted whether this Office
has the power that discontinue their pensions
BY the earlier acts granting invalid pensions the contin-
of them made dependent upon the continuance Of
the disabilities account Of which they might be allowed
and by the Of March lSl9 provision made for
biennial examinations TO ascertain in relation 10 the oontn
uance of the disability necessary for further payments Of
the pension. proper regard for the true intent and
spirit OF the laws granting invalid pensions evidently
qures that the enjoyment of them should be confined
those suffering under the disabilities of which
they are granted and the experience Of this Office fully
shows that further legislative action is necessary
secure that result.
The proprety Of these suggestions will further appear
when IL is considered that navy invalid PENSIONS granted
on account Of disabilities incurred in the naval service
made tepcH6eut upon the continuance Of those disabilities
aud require proof of that continuance authorize each
successive semi-aunua payment No appears for
this distinction between these two classes of invalid PEN
latter most consistent with the and principle
OF the laws granting such pensions.
2d.-RsuolutiOnary Pensions.
These at first granted only the persons them
selves by whom services rendered in the Of the
revolution but they have since been gradually extended
their widows BY the earlier these pensions were al
lowed those widows only whose marriage the soldier
prior to the close Of the service rendered by him BY
subsequent the time Of the marriage has been extend
ed, till now marriage at any time is sufficient
The amount Of payments made during the year under
the act Of March lS 1873 Sl2l5 20 The number Of
pensioners the rolls is 1885, and the annual
OF their pensions is $4,000. No applications
made under this act
Under the of Nay - 1928 four applications for new
pensions have been allowed during the year The
paid $50 90. The number Of pensioners the
rolls y Ia with annual pensions amounting to Sl,2S2
Under the act Of juno 4 1892 the number OF applica-
ons for pensions and for increases of old which have
been allowed B o. Tho whole amount paid for pensions
and arrears u $l05975 90 The number Of pensioners
now on the rolls Is 5S7 and the annual amount Of their
pensions is S3l 760 80.
There are pensioners on tho rolls under the act
Of July ., 1892 The only applications made under
this act by the representatives OF parties deceased for
arrears One such application has been allowed during
the year, which has been paid the Of S40l3 The
number OF outstanding claims under this act is sup
posed TO be small
Under the third section Of tho act OF July T. 1896 y
four applications have been allowed The whole amount
paid is S65274 IA The number Of pensioners the
rolls Is l9S with annual pensions amounting 10 S233s3 o.
Under the acts Of July Z 1893 March lsi3 and June
IT, 1874 200 applications have been allowed. The whole
amount paid is Sol 1893 &C. The limited number OF years
for which pensions granted by these acts having
pired there pensioners the rolls under
them. Payments made in fu when any claims are
allowed.
Under the acts Of February and July 90 lsIs, the
number Of applications which have been allowed Is l6l
The whole amount paid Is S237936 40. The number Of
pensioners the rolls Is 279O with annual pensions
amounting 10 S227,7j0 r.
Under the second section OF the act Of February 1853
4i3 applications have been allowed The whole amount
paid Is S20l520 a. Tho number OF pensioners on
the rolls Is 25GI and the annual amount Of their pensions
is S2OO,0si 70.
The Of 1873 1923 and Of June and July, 1882 be-
fore mentioned apply to the parties themselves who served
Ia the OF tho revolution, and the pensions granted
under them continue during life All the other acts APP
ply TO their widows aud the pensions under those whose
term not herenbeore mentioned having expired
tinue during widowhood
From the foregoing statement II win be that the
whole number Of applications for pensions and for
increases Of old Of the revolutionary class which have
been allowed during the year. is eel OF these 03 were
in the Of the soldiers and s6s in behalf Of their
widows The whole number Of pensioners the
rolls Of this class, is B28--of whom 726 males and
b552 females. The Of their annual pensions Is
S4962l2 80 The whole amount paid during the year
account Of revolutionary services s S692494 sa large
amount considering the long lapse Of time since the
vices we're rendered
3d.-Habepay Peusions for fU, ysar,
These are allowed under the various acts Of March 10
and July 4 1886, July ~ ls4s February a. ls49, and
February 3 1853 The number OF applications for
pensions and for increases Of old OF this class which have
been allowed during the year. Is 707 The amount paid Is
S2lSp7s 6b The whole number Of pensioners on
the rolls is 2432, with annual pensions amounting to
Sls2050.
The pensions granted by these acts are with various
limitations to the widows and orphan children Of those
dying in the service from wounds received diseases