The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-12-10

year OF 20U5s names. From JIM I, 1861, to Dec
], 1885, ,9J7 private pension acts had been passed
Since the last mentioned date, and during the
last session of the congress, 64 such acts became
laws. 1t seems to me that no one can ex-
operations without being convinced that
through its instrumentality justice can be
very nearly done TO all who are entitled
under present laws to the pension bounty Of the
government, But 1t is undeniable that cases ex-
ist, well entitled to relief in which the pension
bureau Is powerles3 to aid The really worthy
cases Of this class are such only lack by mis-
fortune the kind of quantity of proof which the
law and regulations Of the bureau require, or
which, though their merit is apparent, for some
other reason cannot be justly dealt with through
general laws These conditions fully Justify ap-
plcation to the congress and special enactments
act to overrule the deliberate and careful deter.
mination of the pension bureau the merits
or to secure favorable action when IL could not
be expected under the most liberal execution of
general laws, 1t must be admitted, opens the
door to the allowance of questionable claims and
presents to the legislative and executive branches
Of the government applications concededly not
within the law aud plainly devoid of merit but
so surrounded by sentiment and patriotic feel
ing ing that they are hard TO resist suppose it
Will not be denied that many claims for pension
are made without merit and that many have
been allowed upon fraudulent representations
This has been declared from the pension bureau
not only in this, but in prior administrations
The usefulness and the justice of any system for the
distribution Of pensions depend upon the equality
from the report Of the commissioner that there are
now paid by the government lS1 different rates of
OF pension. He estimates from the best informa
tion he can obtain that 5000 of those who have
served in the army and havy of the United StaA,s
are now supported, in whole or in part frou pub
lie funds or by organized charities, exclusive of
those in soldiers homes under the direction and
control of the government Only l3 per cent OF
these are pensioners, while of tn. entire number
of men furnished for the late something like
20 per cent, including their widows and relatives
have been or now are In the receipt of pensions
The American people, with a patriotic and CRATE
full regard for our ex-solders-two broad and too
sacred to be monopolized by any special advocates
ARE not only willing but anxious that equal and
exact jllstic9 should he done to all honest claim.
ants for pensions In their sight the friendless
and destitute soldier, dependent on public charity
If otherwise entitled, has precisely The same right
TO share in the provision made for those who
fought their conntry's battles as those better able
through frirnds and influence, to push their
claims Every pension that is granted under our
present plan upon any other grounds than actual
service and injury or disease incurred In such SER
vice, and every instance of of the many in which
pensions are increased on other grounds than the
merits of the claim, work an injustice to the brave
and crippled, but poor and friendess soldier who
is entirely negnected or who must be content with
the smallest allowed under general laws
There are far too many neighborhoods in which
are found glaring cases Of inequality of treatment
In the matter Of pensions; and they are largely
dhe to a yielding in the pension bureau TO
importahnity nt on the part of those,
interested, or they arise from special acts passed
for the benefit Of individuals The men who
fought side by side should stand side by side when
they participate in grateful nations kind re-
membrance. Every consideration of fairness and
Justice to our ex-soldiers, and the protection of
the patriotic instinct of our citizens from perver-
sion and violation, point to the adoption of pen.
sion system broad and comprehensive enough to
cover every contingency, and which shall make
unnecessary an Objectionable volume Of special
legislation. As long as we adhere to the principle
OF granting pensions for service and disability as
the result OF the service, the allowance of pen
sions should be restricted to cases presenting
hese features Every patriotic heart responds to
tender consideration for those who having
served their country long and well, are reduced to
destitution and dependence, not as an incident OF
their service but with advancing age or through
sickness or misfortune. We are all tempted by
the contemplation of such a condition TO supply
relief, and are often impatient of the limitations
OF public duty. Yielding to no one In the desire
to indulge this feeling Of consideration cannot
rid myself OF the conviction that II these ex-
soldiers are TO be relieved they and their cause
are entitled TO the benefit of an enactment. under
which relief may be claimed as right and that
such relief should be grantad under the sanction
worthy objects of care all equally entitled he re-
mitted TO the unequal operation OF sympathy or
the tender mercies OF social and political inhu
ence with their unjust Determinations
The discharged soldiers and sailors of the coun
try are our fellow-citlzens, and interested with us
In the passage and faithful execution OF whole
some iews. They cannot be swsrved from their
duty or citizenship by artful appeals to their
srrit Vt brotherhood born Of common peril and
suffering, nor VIII they: exact as q Test Of devo
ton to their welfare willingness 20 neglect pub
lie duty in their behalf
THE PATENT OFFICE.
On the 4th of March, 1885, tho current business
OF the patent office was, on average, five and
a half months In arrears and In several divisions
IN re than Twelve months behind At the close OF
the last fiscal year such current work was but
three months in arrears and ii IN asserted and be-
lieved that in the next few months the DELAY in
obtaining an examination of an application for
patent viii be but nominal The number of ap.
phcations for patents during the last fiscal year
including reissues designs trademarks and
labels, equals 1913, which is considerably In ex-
cess OF tile number received during any prece +
ing year. The receipts OF the patent office dur.
ing the year aggregate 81 EOS 1880 enabling the
office to turn into the treasury surplus revenue
over and above all expenditures, OF about siGS,
7l03o The number OF patents granted during
the last fiscal year, including reissues. trade
marks, designs and labels, was 25.6l9-a number
also quite largely in excess of that OF any pre-
ceding year The report of the commissioner
shows the Office to be in a prosperous condition
and constantly increasing in its business. No In
crease OF force is asked for. The amount -si-
mated for the fiscal year ending june 30 1858
was $500, 7G0. The amount estimated for the year
ending June 80, 1887, was Ss53.0d0 The amount
estimated for the fiscal year ending June 3d. 1885,
is S77s,7i0
PACIFIC RAILROADS.
The secretary of the interior suggests change
in the plan for the payment Of the Indebtedness
of the Pacific subsidized rOads a tha pnv.rnn,art