The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-11-28
CAPITAL CHAT.
Secretary Whitney Supplying His Friends
With Turkeys.

Secretary Whitney Supplying His Friends
With Turkeys.
WASHINGTON, November 25.-Secretary
Whitney has made arrangements to de-
liver Thanksgiving turkey to any officer
or employee OF the Navy Department who
will avail OF his courtesy. Owing to the
fact that tomorrow will be a public holi-
day the Cabinet will not meet until Friday.
Senor Elmore Peruvian Minister, called at
the White House with some friends. and
held short interview with the President
to-day.
The Supreme Court Of this District, in
general term to day, denied the motion OF
Luther Harrison for a writ OF mandamus
to compel the Secretary OF the Interior to
recognize him as an attorney. In certain
cases before the Department, Mr.. Harrison
had been an assistant Commissioner OF the
Land Office, and under the recent order OF
Secretary Lamar, he was declared to be in
competent to practice as an attorney in
cases that were not pending before the De-
partment when he severed his cOnnec-
ton with it. The motion was denied on
the general ground that the Secretary had
the power to regulate the practice before
the department without legal interference.
THE PENSION BUSINESS.
The Secretary of the Interior has received
the annual report OF General John G. Black,
Commissioner of Pensions, for the year
ended June 80, 1885. 1t shows that there
were at the close OF the year 345, 125 pen
sioners. During the year there were added
35 ,667 new names and there were l, ,S35 re-
inlistments. During the same period the
names of 15, O53 pensioners were dropped
from the roll for various causes, leaving q
net increase OF 22,369. The average an
nual value of each pension at the close OF
the year is shown to be $11O.36, and the
aggregate annual value OF all pensions is
$3S, ,O9O, ,9S5-an increase over the like
value for the previous year OF So, 634. 6S4.
The amount paid for pensions during
the year is $64.97S, ,435-an increase
in amount over the previous year OF
$8,O69, ,83S. The amount paid to 81 ,S39
new pensioners during the year upon the
first payment was $27, 5,912, and there
remains in the hands OF the several pension
agents 3,677 OF this class unpaid, in which
there was due S2,243,567. 1t is shown
that 555, ,O38 claims have been filed on ac-
count of disability, and 335, ,296 on ae-
count of death, alleged to be due to causes
originating in the service, the claims for the
latter class having been filed by the widows,
minor children or dependent relatives OF
the soldier. Ofthe invalid claims there are
3OO,234, and widow and dependent rela
tive, 22O,S25 A total OF 521 ,O29 claims
on account OF disability and death have
been allowed. The acts OF 1871 and 1878
provided for pensions on account Ofservlce
during
THE WAR OF 1872.
Since 1871 claims to the number 10 7S,
500 OF this class have been filed, 34,6S3 by
surviving soldiers and sailors, and 43, 1913
by the widows Of those who served in that
war. OF this number (the war of 1912,
59,568 lsave been allowed-25, ,676 to the
survivors, and 34, 1872 to the widows. In
the aggregate since 1861, 96S, $40 claims
have been filed and 5SO,S97 have been al
lowed. The amount paid for pensions since
1861 is STA, ,O4O, ,541. Out OF all the army
invalid claims filed prior to July II, 1880,
q little more than sc per cent have been
allowed, and at the close OF the present
year there remained pending OF this class,
73,415 claims. The Commissioner suggests
that an increase OF pensions should be
given in cases OF total deafness, and
in those cases which lesser degrees
approximate a total deafness and recon-
mends the rating OF $50 for total deafness
and proportional rating for lesser degrees
of this trouble. He also suggests that the
benefits act OF March 8, 1883 shall be ex-
tended to soldiers and sailors who while in
the line of duty lost an arm above the el-
bow Joint, or leg above the knee joint, and
who in consequence thereof have been sub
stantially disa bled to the same degree as
though amputation had been performed at
the shoulder or hip JOINT. Gen. Black calls
attention to the widespread feeling that the
limitation imposed by section 2 ot the act
of March 20, 1879, is unj Just in its opera
tions II soldier was entitled to a PEN
sion at any time prior to the first DAY OF
July, 1880. no good reason is known
| to exist why he should not be
now allowed to make proof thereof. Re-
| earding fraudulent and illegal claims the
Commissioner says extended inquiries are
| being presented with view to purging the
pension roll OF the various agencies OF the
names of those frauiulently and illegally
borne thereon and great success is attend
| ing the work. At the same time the great.
| est care is exercised not to disturb the
rights OF any worthy pensioner. Commits.
| sioner Black says, in conclusion, at one
time the Pension Bureau was all but
avowedly political machine, filled from
border to border by uncompromlsing adhe
rents Of single organization, who had fol
the claimant other tests than those OF tn,
law and justice.
The Indians to Hang To-Day.
BArrLEroRD, N. W. n November 60
All arrangements are co.Apleted for tn
carrying into effect Of the sentences OF tn
Six Frog Lake and the two Battleford In
J dians. The gallows were tested this aftel
} noon, and worked sa atisfactorily. The exc
| cution takes place at O'Clock in the norI
Ing. A.