The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-12-08
The Pension Office.

Mr.. J.. A. Bentley, commissioner OF pen
sions, has completed his annual report to the
secretary of the interior. 1t shows that on the
thlrtieth of June last there were 250,8O2 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 1872. and
widows from that war. Eight thousa,d and
torty-seven names have been added to the list
since last year. During the year 10. $40 new
pensions were allowed and 1877 pensioners
previously dropped restored; 1876 were
dropped. The annual pensions average
slO3 81, an aggregated for all Of $25. 9l7, 9O6.6O.
Exclusive OF the arrears the payment for the
year amounted to $37, 046, 1859, OF which
Sl2. 46S, 1920 was accrued pension in the
menced in May, 1879. There was paid in
May and June ot that year SO, 9&3, 1856. SO. and
$40, $50, S08. % during the last fiscal year.
The total amount paid out for pensions during
the year was $s57. 026, 1914 IL.
Commissioner Bentley estimates that it will
require upward Of $50, 000, 900 to pay the pen
sions for the current year.
The number OF cases in which arrears of
pensions ha. been allowed up to Novemb, r l,
the tate OF the report. is 43 9l7. The average
in each case is $500 l5. These cases were
settled from the commencement so rs to dis.
tribute them in equal proportions throughout
the country month by month as the work pro-
crossed.
During the nineteen years, from June, 1861
to July, 1880, 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 =
$50 of the invalids and 1913 494 OF the other
clas ses were placed on the pension rolls
Under the acls of February IA, 1871, and
March 9, 1878. granting pensions on account
of service in the war oil 1872, SO, 339 survivors
presented claims; and 40 go widows and
25,470 OF the survivors, and 29,898 widows
have been pensioned. There were on juno
80, 1852, 597 live unsettled claims for pensions
OF the army and navy classes and II, 749
claims Tor pensions on account OF serv CO in
the war OF 1872 Tor bounty land war;. nts and
for increase OF pensions. There were allowed
during the year IA, 63l original pensions OF the
army and navy ~classes, which is more than
have been allowed in any since 1871.
Annexed TO the report is a number OF valuable
statistical tables, which canuot be given in
full, but one is worthy OF particular mention,
showing the number of pensioners borne upon
the rolls at the end OF each fiscal year, from
1861 to 1880, and the amount of money paid
OUT lOr pcnSlOuS cdCu yCat. Liz toGdt dulOuuI
tor the twenty years is $455 ,7l8, sos. 70.
There ere about 2,45O pensioners residing at
the various branches Of the homes for DIS
abled volunteer soldiers, whose pensions
annually amount 10 about $500, 600, which
has been paid to the treasurer of tho home
and disbursed under the direction Of the man.
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 commissioner is OF opinion
that the law does not provide for the payment
OF these pensions in this manner, and requests
TINT the subject be brought to the attention oil
Congress and the duties Of the commissioner
OF pensions and managers of the home in re.
lmEion to these pensions be more clearly
defined.
Referring to the operations OF the Office in
the investigation OF fraud he presents a table
showing that the expenses OF the year were
S26, 466 10; that there were saved directly 10
the government by the investigation $45l,.
IT'S. G5. The commissioner is OF the opinion
that only a small percentage OF the frauds
committed have been discovered.