The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1879-09-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.

90
WASHINGTON LETTER.
INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT News TO
PENsIoNERs-SEyERAL MILLION Dol,
LARS MORE TO BE APPRoPRIATED-PRo-
lection FOR IMMIGRANTS ASKED FOR
SECRETARY EyARTs ON MoRMoNIsN, ETC.
from Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. D. c., Sept. 20, 1879.
The following is one of the novel
cases which has arisen since the passage
of the Arrears Pension Act: A soldier,
whose pension claim was not filed until
more than five years had elapsed
from the date of his discharge,
died while the case was still ponds
ing and while proof to establish it
was still incomplete. After the Arrears
Act was passed this soldiers widow com.
pleted the proof which would have es-
tablished her husbands claim if presen
ted before his death, and sought under
the provisions of the Arrears bill to se>
cure the full arrears of pensions. I'm
der the law as it stood at the time of
his death, no pension had occurred, and
none were due. The widow was, there
fore, entitled at best only to a widows
pension, dating from the passage of the
claim. Two or three cases of this kind
were decided adversely by the Commits
sioner of the Pensions, but on further
consideration, although strict legal
construction of the Arrears Act seemed
to constrain him, he thought that the
spirit of the act might warrant more
liberal Interpretation, and referred the
matter to the Secretary of the Interior,
by whom it was decided in favor of the
claimants. The widow of soldier who
died before the passage of the Arrears
Act, and who had never asked for pen
sion, applied for and secured widows
pension. She has since filed q claim
for her husbands pension from the date
Of his discharge until his death.
For some time it has been generally
charged that the provisions of the Sec
tons of the Revised Statutes relative to
transportation of the steerage passen-
gers on European steamship lines to this
country have been grossly violated. A
few days ago letter ON the subject was
addressed to the Secretary of the Treas
ury by prominent Germans of this city.
This letter called attention to the alleged
ill-treatment of immigrants to the Uni
ted States, principally on the lines
touching New York, and asked for an
investigation. 1t is charged that the
immigrants are subject to cruel treat
ment and are provided with unwhole-
some food. The letter of complaint has
been forwarded to the Collector of the
Port of New York, with instructions to
investigate into the truth and report
upon the same.
The letter of Secretary Evarts to Amer
lean diplomatists abroad regarding the
immigration Of Mormon recruits to this
country, was on Thursday given out for
publication, though dated August 9th
1t cites the statistics of immigra>
ton to show tho existence of the
evil. The polygamy prevalent in Utah
is stated to be largely based upon &C.
cession from Europe drawn from class
easily influenced by the appeals to their
passions and poverty, made by the agents
of Mormon immigration. The law
against poligamy in the territories, which
is quoted, makes the act penitentiary
offense. Reports are to be made of the
success of the movement and disposition
shown by the different powers on the
subject.
Prof. Collier, of the Agricultural De-
partment, has for several days been en-
gagged in series of interesting expert
ments in making sugar out of corn, the
result of which has demonstrated the
feasibility of making this successful
and profitable interest. The expert
ments were based on observations OF
small quantities of corn grown on
the Agricultural grounds which has
been found at certain. stage OF
to yield nearly as much
of sugar as the sugar-cane.
The product used in the tests were corn
stalks obtained from an Arlington farmer,
over at Arlington, but was not OF the
same condition, not having arrived at
the proper growth. The experiments
will be continued for two or three weeks
longer.
Mrs. sprague is again doniciled at
III the vicinity of this city, on
the estate which was bequeathed to her
by her father, the late Chief Justice
Chase. Her daughters are with her.
Since the retirement of Gov. Sprague
from the Senate, Mrs. sprague has spent
the greater portion Of her time at his es>
tate, making daily visits to Washington,
while Gov. Sprague las not been seen
here more than once or twice. 1t is said
BY Mrs. Sprague's friends that the
trouble between her and her husband
can never be bridged. August
nrssoEmrrnm