The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-11-19
ANNUAL REPORT
OF the Commissioner of Pensions for the
Fiscal Year Ended June 80. 1881.

OF the Commissioners of Pensions for the
Fiscal Year Ended June 80, 1891.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-The Secretary of the Iu-
terror has received the annual report OF the Com
missioner of Pensions for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1854. The report is dated November 1U,
and IS signed by ". W. Dudley, Commissioner.
II states there were at the close Of the year S25S
pensioners classified as follows: 21S,9 ,956 army in
valids; 1886 army widows. minor children and
dependent relatives; 2,6l6 navy invalids; 1888
navy widows. minor children and dependent rel
atves 3,S9S survivors OF the war OF 1872. and 19.
5l2 widows of those who served in that wsr.
There were added TO the roll during the year 81
1872 new pensioners. and POI whose pensions have
been previously dropped were restored to the roll;
16,3l5 were dropped from the rolls for various
causes; net increase to number on rolls, l0o9S.
average annual value OF each pension at the close
of the,year S1o6. aggregate annual value OF all pen
siOns S35 1856 &C., increase over ike value for pre-
vious year. S22ll ,407. The amount paid Tor pen
sions during the year was 5000 ,597, exceeding
the annual value OF pensions several milliOa dol
lars, which represents frs. payments generally in
new claims, and known as arrears pensions The
amount 7 aid during the year to 81. 207 new pen
siOners was S23 4l3 sis, and there remsined in the
hands OF the several pension agents 7.20S cases OF
this class unpaid, iD which there was due $780,
OS0. In the aggregate, since 1861, 927,922 claims
have been filed, and t45 $50 have been allowed.
The Commissioners says that at the rate the claims
have been fled for the past few years the close of
the year 1856 will undoubtedly show 100000
claims filed for tensions since 1851 Since that
The report states in 1882. per cent. OF the whole
number Of claims pending await the action OF clai-
mant or their witnesses upon answered calls from
this Office But little over per cent. await the
action of the War Department, the same being
near up To cate as prsf ticable. o! the whole nun
her pending Ii per cent stand chargeabe 20 de-
lay in tt is Office, i.719 which awaited special
animation, So awaited OF action ef the Bosrd OF
Review. and 622 the action OF the Medical Branch
Office, thus leaving 80 Claims which awaited ex
animation of evidence which had been fied. Up
wards of so per cent OF the whole number of claims
have bpan
pension, have been allowed. The claims pending
OF THIS class constitute a class which
present greater difficulties in the way OF settle
rent. With very large percentage oi this num-
her which await the action of claimants il is evi.
dent they meet With reaiio0stscleS in procuring
such testimony Ss shall under the Law. the de-
csion OF the Secretary OF the Interior and A tor
ney General, and practice oiilee justify favorable
action.
The Commissioner advocates the adoption OF
remedial constitution by Congress, which shall
teKe fIom the claimant some of the burdens
which in their operation amount TO practical
denial OF his claim,
The Con- missioner adds: ''Unless legislation
applicable 10 them be considered, the same 70
character of the proof which shall be
deemed sufficient TO enitle a pension, the result
will be to practically deny pensions TO many
thO1tanGs Of brave aud disabled soldiers, whose
suffering and unfortunate social condition appeal
10 q gratitude, sympathy and merciful considers-
tion OF Congress. Perheps it would be more to
The purpOe TO say that plea for and in behalf OF
veterans was for justice and justice alone"
OF The system OF special exam nations, he says:
at can Hot fail to be gratifying 10 show tnGt the
service has been more than hall sustaining, with
balance OF 81, ,S02 l92 as net saving Tor one year.