The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-11-26

with it. The motion was denied on the
general ground that the Secretary had
power to regulate the practice, before
the Department without legal interior
ance.
THE PENSION BUSINESS.
WASHINGTON, November 25.-The
kSecretary of the interior has received
the annual report of General John c.
Black. commissioner of pensions, for
the year ended June 80, 1885. 1t shows
there were at the close Of the year
3t5.l25 pensioners; during the year
there were added 80, 767 new names
and 1 1875 Refreshments; during the
same period the names OF Is. 233 pen
sioners were dropped from the roll for
various causes, leaving q net increase
of p, 1863. The average annual value or
each pension at the close OF the wear is
shown to be $1l036 and the aggregate
annual value of all pensions is $3S, $50,
$50; an incs ease over like value for
the previous year of 1854 ,6Si.
The amount paid for pensions during
the year is SCI, 978, ABS, and increase in
the amount over the previous year OF
S. .069, 1873. The amount paid 10 81 $50
new pensioners during the year upon
the first payment was $27, 115 .912. and
there remained in the hands of several
pension agents 3,577 OF this class un-
paid. in which there was due 50, 243, $50
It is shown that $50, OBS claims have
been fled on account of disability, and
be due to causes originating in
the service, the claims for this
latter class having been filed
by the widow, minor children, or
dependent relatives of the soldier. Of
invalid claims, 800. 233 and widows and
dependent relatives, 90, 625. A total of
52l 800 claims on account of disability
and death have been allowed. The act
of 1871 and 1878 provided for q pension
on account of service during the war CT
1872. Since 1871, IS, 500 claims of this
class have been filed, 81 ,673 by the sur
viving soldiers and sailors, and 43, S33
by the widows of those who served in
that war. or this number (War Of
1922 50, 868 have been allowed; 25-
SO to survivors and 34,l72 TO widows.
In the aggregate, since 1851. 96S-
$40 claims have been fled and
$50, 897 have been allowed. The amount
paid for pensions since 1861 is $T4f, 030,
oil. Out of all the army invalid claims
filed prior TO July /, 1886, q little more
than &c per cent. have been allowed
and at the close Of the present wear
there remained pending Of this elss.
%, 4i5 claims. The commissioner sUg
gests that an increase of pension Shout
be giyea in cases OF total deafness auc
IN those cases which in lesser degree
approximate total deafness, and Te-
eOmmsnd lie rating OF 81
for total deafness and proDortionng
ratings for lesser degrees of this trouble
BE also suggests that the benefits al
of March Sd. 1885, be extended 3
soldiers and sailors, who while in
line OF duty, lost az arm above T.,
elbow Joint or a leg above the X
Joint, and who, IN consequence there.
have been substantially disabled TO
same degree as though amputation !
b cen performed at the shoulder or l.
joint. General Black calls attention
the widespread feeling that the limi
ton imposed by Section 2 of the acs Il
March 30th, 1879. is unjust in its ope i
tons. II the soldier was entitled :, 4
pension at any time prior to the q
day or July, 1880, no good reasol :
known to exist Why he shO: Il
not be now allowed TO II. 81
proof thereof, regarding fraudulent d a
Illegal claims. The Commissioner So
inquiries are being prosecuI
with view TO purging the pension 70.
OF various agencies OF the names
those fraudulenIy and Illegally Dor
thereon, and great success is attendi
the work. At the same time, the gre
est care IS exercised not TO disturb I
rights OF any worthy penSioner.
Commissioner Black says, in concIu
sion: at one time the pension bureau
was 81 but avOwedly a political n =
chine, filed from border to border vi c
adherents of SIM,
who had for the ciaIma Il
other tests than those of the law, aud
who required, in addition to srs
and support OF, q party before
were granted; not always. blu,
often, was this true; not openly, but
surely, were the tests applied and lie
vast machinery of professed govern
mental Office became party power.
The numerous array OF the medical
boards, established IN every quarter.
was almost sOiidiy partisan, made 50
not openly out surely. People of one
faith filed every one of the great
agencies; examiners, trained IN
schools, traversed land
as recruiting sergeants for the
p lrty.
It has been the aim of the Connis-
sioner of Pensions, with the counsel
and approval Of the Secretary of the
Interior. to change these practices and
destroy these decisions. BE retained
special examiners, and medical exami- |
ners of opposite political beliefs. He
sought TO have all parties represented ,
among the employees. to put the bureau |
On business basis. to let the veteran |
know the whole PEOPLE were willing
contributors 70 the pension fund, and |
that there were none who opposed |
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