St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-26
HELP FOR THE HEROES.
The Commissioner of Pensions Furnishes
His Report of the Work done the
Past Year.
He scathingly Reviews the Former Method
of Using That Department for Po-
litical Purposes.
Commissioner Sparks Decision Upon
Timber Cutting Overruled by
Secretary Lamar.
How Secretary Bayard is Said to be
Scheming to Keep His Name
Prominent.
A Scathing Report.

"A SCa AhSPoA
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-The secretary
of the interior has received the annual re-
port of Gen. John c. Black, commissioner
of pensions for the year ended June 81,
1885. 1t shows that there were at the
close OF the year 345, 125 pensioners. Dur
ing the year there were added 50, 761 new
names and 1855 reinStatementS. During
the same period the names of 1928 pen
sioners were dropped from the roll for
various causes, leaving a net increase Of
%. 1863. The average annual value OF each
pension at the close of the year is shown
TO be S11O.36 and the aggregate annual
value of all pensions is S3S. 900, 9S5; an in
crease over the value for the previous year
of SIS. 634, 3S4. The amount paid for pen
sion during the year was S64, 97S, 435, an
increase in amount over the previous year
of SIS, O69. $50. The amount paid to 81, S39
new pensioners during the year upon first
payment was S27, 115,912 and there re-
manned in the hands of the several pen
sion agents 3,677 of this class unpaid,
on which there was due S2,243, 561.
1t is shown that 555, OBS claims have been
filed on account of disability and $50, 1863
on account of death alleged to be due to
causes originating in the service, claims Tor
this latter class having been tiled by the
widow, minor children, or dependent rela-
tives of the soldiers. OF the invalid claims
800, 204, and of the
WIDOWS AND DEPENDENT RELATIVES
900, 825, a total of 521, 029 claims on ac-
count of disability and death have been al
lowed. The acts of 1871 and 1878 provided
for pension on account of service during
the war of 1912. Since 1871, 1896 claims
of this class have been filed, "a, 673 by the
surviving soldiers and sailors, and 43, S33
by the widows of those who served in that
war. Of this number (war OF 1922 so, sos
have been allowed; 25,676 to the survivors
and 81, 1872 to the widows. In the aggre-
gate since 1861. 96S, $40 claims have been
fled and $50. S97 have been allowed. The
amount paid for pensions since 1861 is
STA, O4O, SAL. Out of all army invalid claims
filed prior to July 1, 1880. little more than
66 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 pension should be given in case OF total
deafness, and in those cases which in lesser
degrees approximate total deafness, and
recommends rating of $50 for total deaf
ness, and proportionate ratings for lesser
degrees of this trouble. He also suggests
that the benefits of the act of March 81,
1885 be extended to soldiers and sailors who.
while in the line of duty, lost an arm above
the elbow joint or leg above the knee
Joint, and who in consequence thereof have
been substantially disabled to the same de-
gree as though amputatlon had been per-
formed at the shoulder joint or hip joint.
Gen. Black calls attention to the widespread
feeling that the limitation imposed
by section 2 of the act of March
IN, ifo f
a soldier was entitled to pension at any
time prior to the first day of July, 1880, no
good reason is known to exist why he
should be now allowed to make proof
thereof. Regarding
FRAUDULENT AND ILLEGAL CLAIMS,
the commissioner says extended inquiries
are being prosecuted with view to purglng
the pension rolls of the various agencies of
those fraudulently and Illegally borne
thereon, and great success is attending the
work. At the same time the greatest care
is exercised not to disturb the rights of any
worthy pensioner. Commissioner Black, in
conclusion, says:
At one time the pension bureau was all
but avowedly political machine, filled from
border to border with the uncompromising
adherepts of q single organization who had
for the claimant other tests than those OF the
in the field, submission to and support
of a party before pensions were granted.
Not always, but often was this true,
not openly, but surely were the tests applied,
and the vast machinery OF protested gov
ornamental office became a party power. The
enormous array of the medical boards estab-
lished in every quarter was almost solidly
partisan, made so not openly but surely
People of one faith filed every one of the
great agencies. Examiners, trained in I'M
scrupuous schools, traversed the land as
recruiting sergeants for the party. Chiefs of
divisions assistants. clerks, messenger boys,
watchmen, laborers all but entirely from one
school. Veteran service could not secure
continuance in Office, and at the behest and
demand of partisans beyond the office old
employees were cut adrift and Jealous ruttlers
placed in their stead. Leaves Of absence
were granted that active men of the party
might
DOMINATE OVER ELE CTIONS.
Wholesale discharges were made for partisan
ends, and careful study of the table of this
report will show how the tide of men and
money were poured by this Office into sec
lions where political struggle was progress
ing. 1t was widely proclaimed that the pen
sion system of the United States, this vast
and unmatched benefcence, depended for its
continuance on partisan success. The glory
of q noble gratitude was taken from the peo-
pie and made the masquerade as a party ac-
complishment, and men were taught that i'm
mense sums were levied on all our borders "a
grateful reward for the veteran sodery and
their dependents) and that party contribu-
tions would cease if q change in govern
mental administration occurred. 1t has been
the aim of the commissioner of pensions,
with the counsel and approval of the secre-
tary OF the interior, to change these practices
and destroy these delusions. He re-
tanned the special examiners and med
ical examiners Of opposite political
beliefs. He thought 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 contrib
utors to the pension fund, and that there
were none who opposed his right therein;
that the cotton-grower and the corn-raiser
alike agreed in the support of the pensioner
of the united armies, and with this end in
view he has called into the service of this
bureau men from every state, and that with
out regard to former (politicaD condition.
The result is gratifying. The accelerated
business, increased results and diminished
expenditures mark partial emancipation SO
far accomplished, and it begins to appear
that any citizen who pays his share of the
pensions fund without regret may be allowed,
without danger, to aid in its application and
disbursement
Commissioner Sparks Overruled.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-The Star SAYS:
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