The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-12-03
PENSIONS.
OoaInlssIOnER BLAOk's EEFOEr

I
/ a COmpIsGs Resume OF the Business OF
the Pension Omoe-AM PartsSsnShiP
Taken Out Of it-ImREOved charAoteE
OF the W0rk
The secretary OF the interior has re-
ceived the annual report of General
John q. Black, commissioned OF pen
sions. for the year ended June 80. 1885.
Il shows that there were at the close OF
the year 345, f25 pensioners. During the
year there were added IS, 767 new names
and 1885 relnstatements. During the
same period the names OF 1928 pen
sioners were dropped from The roll for
various causes, leaving net increase OF
q, 800. The average annual value OF each
pension ct the close of the year is shown
to be $110S8 and the aggregate annual
value OF all pennOns IS $38. 09O,9S5, an
increase over the total value of the pre-
vious year of $685., 1884. The amount
paid for pensions during the year Is
90, S76. 485, an increase IN amount over
the previous year of $S.O69.S3S.
It is shown that 555, OSS claims have
been fled on account OF disability and
395, 2o6 on account of death alleged to be
due TO causes Originating in the service,
claims for this latter class having been
fled by the widow, minor children OF
dependent relatives Of the soldIers. A
total Of 521 ,0z9 claims on account of us
ability and death have been allowed.
The acts of 1871 and 1880 provided for a
pension on account of service during the
war OF 1912
Since 1872, $500 claims of this class
have been filed, 1878 by the surviving
soldiers and sailors, and 1855 by the
widows of those who served in that war,
Of this number (war of 1879 90. S66. have
been allowed, 25,676 TO The survivors and
"a, 1872 to the widows. In the aggregate
since 1851. 96e,S4O claims have been
filed, and 5sO,s97 have been allowed.
The amount paid for pensions since
1851 Is STA O4O,541. Out of all the
army invalid CLAIMS filed prior To July
/, 1880, q little more than 90 per cent
have been allowed, aud at the close of
the pending year there renamed pend
ing of this class 70. 415 claims.
The commissioner suggests that an In
creased pension should be given in cases
of total deafness and In those cases
which, in lesser degree, approximate
total deafness. and Recommends rating
of $50 for total deafness and proper
tionate rating for lesser degrees of this
trouble.
He also suggests that the benefits of
the act of March 8, 1885, he extended to
the soldiers and sailors who, while in
the line of duty lost an arm above the
elbow JOINT or a leg above the knee
Joint, and who. in consequence thereof,
have been substantially disabled to the
same degree as though amputa-
ton mad been performed al the Shout
der joint or hip Joint.
Gen. Black calls attention to the WIDE
spread feeling that the Limitation i'm
posed by section 2 of the act of March
30, 1879, Is unjust 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 now be allowed
to make proof therefor. Commissioners
Black In conclusion says:
"At one time the pension bureau was
all but aVowedly q political machine
| filed from border TO border with the IN
Il anhaFQnta M a ainRla nj
| Ranization, VINO had Tor the claimant
/ other tests than those of the law, and
L who required, in addition to service in
the field, submission to and support of a
party before pensions were granted, not
always, but often, was this true; no
openly but surely were the tests applied
and the vast machine of prdfessed gov
/ ornamental office became q party power
The enormous array of the medica
boards established in every quarter wa!
almost solidly partisan; made so no
| openly, but surely; people Of one faiti
hlIed every one Of the great agencies
Examiners, trained In unscrupuloul
schools, traversed the land as recruiting
sergeants for party. Chiefs OF divi
sions, assistants, clerks, messengers
, messenger boys, wRtchmen and laborer
were almost entirely from one school.
The veteran in the service could not sc
cure q continuance In Office, and at tn
. behest and demand of partisans beyon
. the Office old employees were cut adrii
, | and jealous rustlers placed in their stead
| Leaves of absence were granted that &C
} | tive men of the party might dominat
/ over elections; wholesale discharge
were made tor partisan ends, and a cart
full study OF tables 81 and ola of this II
port will show tide of men and none
poured by this Office into sections wheI
9 political struggle was progressing.
was WIDELY proclaimed that the pensio
system of the United States, this vast an
unmatched benef1cence depended for il
continuance on partisan success. Tt
, glory of noble gratitude was take
from the people and madeto masquerad
as q party accomplishment, and me
were taught that the immense sum
> levied on ell our borders,-the gratefC
reward for the veteran soldier
, and their dependents,-were part
! contributions and would cess
if change In the govern
] mental administration occurred. 1t ha
been the aim of the commi
, sioner of pensions, with the counsel an
approval of the secretary of the interlo
to change these practices and destro
these decisions. He retained specii
! posite political beliefs. He sought
:, have all parties represented among tn
y employees; to put the bureau on q bus
= ness basis; to let the veteran know tn
: whole people were willing contributor
. to the pension fund. and that there wei
. none who opposed his right therein
: that the cotton grower and the corn raj
er alike agreed in support of the pei
= sioners of the Union armies; and wit
this end in view he has called into Sc
vice IN this bureau men from every sta
and that without regard
former (polItieaD condition. tn
y result is gratifying. Accelert
ted business, increased results aud d
, minished expenditures mark the parti;
, emancipation so far accomplished, ar
!, It begins to appear that any citizen wi
II pays his share of the pension fund wit
J. out regret may be allowed without daI
s. ger to aid in its application and di
a bursement."
N After the Hostiles.
WASHINGTON, Nov. SO.-Adjuts