The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-29
PAYMENTS FOR PENSIONS.
The Annual Average Cost Much Less Than
Popularity Supposed.

The Annual Average Cost Much Less Than
Popularity Supposed.
Washington Special.
An examination of the official figures showing
the exact amount paid by the United States on
account of pensions shows that very grave
misapprehensi on exists in the popular mind as
to the amount that is being paid out annually
for this purpose. Prior to the passage of the
arrearages act the annual pension roll was re-
duced to $27, 900, 90. Previous to the war Of
the Rebellion the annual pension list was only
about 81, 100000 For the year ending June 3d.
1869, the aggregate disbursements increased to
nearly S., 000, 900, and the year following they
weSe swollen to over &c., 900. The volume
of payments steadily increased from that time
until June 30 1871, when the highest point was
reached, the amount paid that year being
$34, 344 000 From this point the aggregate
steadily decreased until the passage of the
arrearages act in 1872 when it increased
from $27 900 900 to $35, 00O 900 in one year. For
the fiscal year 1880 nearly $57, 100000 was dis
bursed for pensions, and for the fiscal year 1883
over SOC, 600, 600 was paid. This is the highest
point ever reached, although the belief is general
that nearly 800, 900 per annum is required
to satisfy the pension list This erroneous i'm
preston is quite natural and has been created
by the fact that the Pension Office was unable to
make even approximately correct estimates
to the sum of money that would be required.
Relying upon the estimates of the Pension
Office, Congress has always voted the full amount
asked for and therefore it is that the impression
prevails that we are paying nearly 500, 900, 900
per annum for pensions Perhaps the majority
of persons estimate that the amount OF money
appropriated by Congress is the amount actually
expended. For the fiscal year ending June 80,
1883, the amount appropriated for pen.
sions was SIG 00o 000 yet the amount
discussed was but $66. 600, 600, the
excess of $50, 000. 600 having been covered into
the Treasury or made available for the succeed
ing year. In like manner nearly $87, 900, 600 was
appropriated for the last fiscal year, while the
payments were but $50, SOC. 900. For the cur
rent year only $40, 600, 900 was appropriated yet
the payments thus far made are nearly $5s, 0O0.-
600. This shows that appropriations have been
made since 1879 without accurate information
as to the actual requirements of the pension list
but Congress very wisely decided to vote the full
amount estimated for by the Pension Office so
that no worthy pensioner should fail to receive
the money 30 which he entitled. For the
fiscal year which begins with Wednesday next
500, 900, 900 has been appropriated, sum which
will be amply sufficient to meet all requirements
From 1871 down to June 80, 1863, the total
amount paid by the United States ON account of
pensions was $S2 66g 013, which is equal to an
annual average of 81, l34, 292.
From July 1, 1863 to June 30, 1884. period
of twenty one years, the total payments
500, which is equal to annual
average of $33,2l0, 500. This may
properly be regarded as the entaiied cost of the
Rebellion started and carried on by the Southern
States. 1t is, perhaps. pertinent in this connec-
ton to observe that upon their return to
political power, these States find that the ex-
penditure on account of pensions for Union
soldiers is the only one that has not been
materially reduced by the Republicans Since
the passage of the arrearages act, in 1879, the
total disbursements for pensions was 1924, 144, :
932. These figures furnish the sum total of
actual payments made from July l, 1878, to June
30, 1884 period of six years. Putting the pay
ments for the year which will end with Tuesday
next at SGT, 900. 900, would give aggre-
gate for the eight years of about 1856 000, 900,
which is equal to $4S, 500, 1l6 per annum. Thus
it will be seen that. Notwithstanding the fire.
3uent allegations that the arrearages act has
cost the Treasury 800, 600, 900 per annum, the
actu al cash disbursements have been less than
$40 coo 000 Unless there should be additional leg
islation on this subject, the average annual pay
ments for pensions during the coming eight
years will not exceed $40 600 000