The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-11-27
The Pension ONCE.

Mr.. j. A. Bentley, commissioner OF pen
slons, has co npleted his annual report to the
secretary OF the int ritr. 1t shows that on the
thlrueth OF June last there were $50, SOP per-
sons receiving pensions from the government,
the list being composed Of army and navy in
valids, widows. minor children, etc.. surviving
soldiers and sailors OF the war of 1912 and
widows from that war. Eight thousar and
torty-seven names have been added tn the list
since last year. During the year l9 545 new
pensions were allowed and 1877 pens, oners
previously dropped restored; II S75 were
dropped. The annual pensions average
Slu3 "a, an aggregate tor all of SIS 9l7 906.60.
Exclusive OF the arrears the payment tor the
year amounted TO S37 DIG lS5 SO, OF which
ST. 46o 1920 was accrued pension in the
new cases. The payments OF arrears COM
menced in May. 1879. There was paid in
May and june Cd that year So, 9.3. 366.63. and
$40 $50, SUS.23 during the last fiscal year.
Tne total amount paid ont tor pensions during
the yeas was S57 026, 1874 u.
Commissioner Bentley estimates that it will
require upward OF $50 COG, 900 to pay the PEN
sions for TIE current year.
the number OF cases in which arrears of
pensions ha, been allowed up to November l,
the ate CT the report. is 43 917. The average
in each case is $3.50 10. These cases were
settled from the commencement so as to dis.
tribute them in equal proportions throughout
the country month by mouth as the WORK pro-
gressed.
During the nineteen years, from June 1861
to July. 1889, 4l2 459 army and navy claims
tor invalid pensions were filed, and 27S 4SS
claims IN behalf OF army and navy WIDOWS
minor children and dependent relatives; l6S :
S56 OF the invalids and 1913 494 OF the other
ella ses were placed on the pension rolls
Under the ac's of February Il, 1871, and
March 8, 1878 granting pensions on account
OF service in the war OF 1872 36, $3.50 survivors
presented claims; and 40 20 widows and
25,41 of the survivors. and 90 S9S widows
have been pensioned. There were on June
3d. 2S2 597 live unsettled claims Tor pensions
OF the army and navy classes and II 749
claims Tor pensions on account OF seuv ce in
the war OF 1872 Tor bounty land war; nts and
for increase OF pensions. There were SLOWED
during the year IA. 63l original pensions OF the
army and navy cl4sses, which is more than
have been allowed in any since 1871.
Annexed 10 the report is a number OF valuable
statistical tables, which cannot be given in
iu'l, put one is worthy OF particular mention,
showing the number OF pensioners borne upon
the rolls at the end OF each fl cal year from
1861 10 1880, and the amount OF money paid
out for pensions each year. the total amount
Tor the twenty years is S455 ,7lS sos 20.
There are abont 2, $50 pensioners residing at
the various branches Of the homes for DIS
ablea volunteer soliiers, whose pensions
annually amount TO about 100000, which
mas been paid to the treasurer OF the home
and disbursed under the direction OF the man l..
ayers, who claim that this course is justified
by the law and necessary in order to secure
proper discipline and good order among the
inmates. The commissiorer is OF opinion
that the law does not provide for the payment
OF these pensions in this manner, AMI requests
that the subject be brought to the ATTENTION OF
Congress and the duties of the commissioner
OF pensions and managers of the home IN re-
lHion to these ptnsions be more clearly
defined.
Referring to the operations of the office in
tie investigation OF fraud he presents table
showing that the expenses of the year we're
SIG 466 10; that there were saved directly to
The government by the inve-tisation S45I,-
IT'S 60. The commissioner is OF the opinion
that only small percentage OF the frauds
committed have been discovered