Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-12-03
ReNsloNsl
Report ~ tho uohimissionef ~ Pensions.-
fntercatior statfatfea

Report % tho tiohimissionef ~ Pensionsa-
Interesting statisticA
WASHINGTON, November g1.-!rho first
annual report Of Commissioner OF Pensions
Hack shows that at the end of the fiscal
year there were Sl5, 1875 pensioners on the
roll OF whom 2,9i5 were survivors OF the
war OF 1912 and 172i2 widows OF those
who served in that war The amount paid
Tot pensions was S0llpTe,435, and tho
asefago tRlde OF each tension wa
sli030. During the yeat tho
not increase to the pension roll
vas $3.50 flames, an increase In valuo
OF ss,OOo,s3s. There were paid out sso,5ol
on account Of arrears OF pension. Since
1851 96s, $40 claims for pension have been
presented, Of which number 5s0,s07 have
been allowed aggregatlng in value s144,
040.5ii. The report shows that Of the
whole number Of invalid claims flied 80 per
cehL have becu allowedi OF the widows Gj
rer cent OF dependent mothers 80 per
cent OF dependent fathers 2g per cent and
OF the aggregate Of classes 81 per cent.
OLD WAR PENSIONERS.
Tho acts Of 1871 and 1850 provided for a
pension on account Of service during the
war Of 1919. Since 1sT2 6s,5o6 claims Of
this class have been filed, a4,G13 by the sur
vivlng soldiers and sailors, and AZ, s33 by
the widows OF those who served In that
war or this number 80, sos have been al
lowed, 25,G7G to the survivors aud "a, 1872
10 the widows. Out OF all army invalid
claims filed prior TO July I, 1850, a little
more than 66 per cent have been allowed,
and at the close of the present year there
remained pending Of this class 79,415
claims.
The Commissioner suggested that an in.
creased pension should bo given In case nf
total deafness and In those cases which In
lesser degree approximate total deafness
and recommends rating OF thirty dollars
for total deafness, and proportlonate ratings
for lesser degrees of this trouble, lie also
suggests that the benefits of the act OF
March 8, 1855, be extended to soldiers and
sailors who, while in the line OF duty, lost
an arm above tho elbow joint or leg above
the knee joint and who in consequence
thereof have been substantially disabled
to tho same degree as though amputation
had been performed at the shoulder Joint or
hip Joint.
General Black calls attention 10 the wide
spread feeling that the limitation imposed
by section 2 OF the act Of March g. 1879, Is
unjust In its operations and Gays that II
soldier was entitled to n pension at any
time prior to July I, 1850, no good reason is
known TO exist why he should not now be
allowed to make proof therefor
THE CoMMfssioNEHs VIEWS
Commissioner Black In conclusion says:
AT one time the Pension Bureau was also
but unayowedly n political machine, filed !
from border to border with the uncompro.
missing adherenis Of single organization.
"a hn hn r. al lar st,.s
those OF the law, and who required IN addi. |
ton to service In the field submission 10 |
and support Of party before pensions |
were granted. Not always but often, |
was this truei not openly but surely was |
the test applied and the vast ma
chlnery OF professed governmental |
office became a party power Tue euor-
nous array Of tho medical boards eslab. /
lished In every quarter was almost sOlidly I
partlsan made 81 not openly but surely. |
People OF one faith filed every one of the
great agencies, examiners, trained IN TN.
schools, trayersed the land as
recruiting sergeants for party, and chiefs
NJ divisions, assistants, clerks. messengers,
boys, watchmen, laborers were
MI entirely from one school. The vet.
nran service could not secure con.
inuance in Office and at the hehcst and
demand OF pnrtisans bel Ond the Office Old
employees wete cut adrift and Jealous
-uillers placed In their stead. Leaves Of
absence were granted that tic active mun
VI the party might dominate over the clec-
ions, Wholesale discharges were made
Tor PARTISAN ends, and tide OF men and
money was poured by this Office into the
sections where a political struggle was
progressing. II vas widely proclaimed that
he pension system OF the United States,
his vast and unmatched benelicencc, dc.
pended for It's continuance ON partisan
success. The glory Of a noble gratitude
mas taken from the people and made to
as party accomplishment, and
men were taught that the immense sums
eyied on all our borders, grateful, reward
or the veteran soldlery and their depend
nts, were party contributions and would
ease II n change In the Governmental adj
occurred. IL has been the aim
u the Commissioner Of Pensions with the
ouhsel and approval Of the Secretary Of
he Interior 10 change these practices, de-
troy these delusions. lie retained special
and medical examiners OF uu.
Osite political beliefs. lle sought 10 have
II parties represented among tie employes,
o put the bureau on q business basis, to let
he veteran know that the whole people are
Wiling contributors 10 the pension fund. and
nat there were none who opposed /
lis right therein, that the cotton grower,
nd corn raiser alike agreed In the support
I the pensioners OF the Union army;
nd with this end In view he has called into
he service Of his bureau men from every
tate, and that without regard 10 former
Olitcal condition. The result Is gratifying.
celebrated business, increased results, and
Unfinished expenditures. mark the partial
so far accomplished, aud II
eglns TO appear that any citizen who pays
is share Of the pension fund without re-
ret, may be allowed without danger TO aid
! is applIcaiIOn and disbursement