St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-28

NoTE.-In the ''letters sent the calls m ads OIL
he adjutant general and surgeon general, United
States army, are not included.
Two hundred and forty special examiners
we're employed in the aeld. Congress at its
last session authorized the employment Of an
additional force OF $50. The system Of spe-
cial exsmin alton appears to have given great
satisfaction to the claimants and the Office.
The appeals from the com missioner OF pen
sions to the secretary were, during the fiscal
year 1888, TAG; during the past year, ,516.
The act Of January IS, 1879, provided
That all pensions which have been granted IN
der the general laws regulating pensions, or may
hereafter be granted. In consequence of death
from which originated in the United
States service during the continuance of the late
war OF the rebellion, or in consequence OF
wounds, injuries, or disease received or con-
tracted in said rervics during said war Of rebel
Hon, shall commence from the date OF the death
or discharge from said service Of the person on
whose account the claim has been or
shall hereafter be granted, or from the termina
tion OF the right Of the party having prior title to
Euch pension.
In an act entitled GAN act making appro-
priations for the payment of the arrears Of
pensions granted by act of Congress-" ap-
proved March 3, 1879, it was provided as
follows:
All pensions which have bssn, or which may
hereafter be, granted in consequence of death
occurring from q cause which originated IN the
service since the 4th day Of March, 1851, or IN
consequence of wounds received or disease con-
tracted since that date, shall commence from the
death or discharge Of the person on whose &C
count the claim has been is hereafter grant ed,
If the disability occurred prior 70 dis
charge, and il such disability occur red
after the discharge then from the date OF
actual disability, or from the termination OF the
right of party having prior title TO such pension:
PrOrtded, That application for such pension has
been or is hereafter hled with tho COMMISSIONER
of pensions prior to the LIST day Of July, 1880,
otherwise the pension shall commence from the
date OF ding the application; but the Limitation
herein prescribed shall not apply to claims by or
in behalf OF insane persons and children under
sixteen years of age.
Thus all persons applying for pension
prior to July 1, 1880, are ent tied to pension
from the time of discharge or the death of
the person on whose account the claim is
made, unless the disability occurred after
discharge. In all claims made subsequent
TO that date the pension must commence
from the time OF the fling of the application.
No good reasons can be given why the claim
ants who file their claims after July l,
1880, ought not TO receive their
pensions from the time Of discharge
if such disability then existed, or If not then
existing, from the time such disability orig
mated. 1t is but just that all persons who
are able to establish the right to receive
pension should be treated alike with refer
ence to time Of the commencement thereof.
1t has been urged in favor Of this limita-
ton that the large amount Of arrears is an
inducement to applicants to apply and Sc
cure pension, and that the large amount
10 be realized is a temptation to commit
fraud on the government by means OF false
witnesses.
The government has the means Of detect
ing fraud if attempted, and injustcs should
not be done to the deserving and needy SOL
der for fear the government may in some
few instances be imposed upon and COM
PEELED TO pay pension TO which the soldier
is not justly entitled. Itis impossible for
soldier to secure a pension for disabilities
not existing; It 10 often however, a question
whether such disability Is or is not the result
of service in the line Of duty, The rules Of
the pension office for the determin alton Of
this question are sufficiently strict. and with
proper administration of the affairs Of that
office very few pensions will be allowed par
ties not entitled TO receive the same. 1t is
to be hoped that the limitations imposed by
the act of March 3, 1879, will be repealed.