The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-12-17


of 2.790,000 acres additional: besides which
1000 600 acres have been withheld from reserva-
ton and the rights OF entering thereon main
tanned. ] recommend the repeal OF the pre-
emption and timber-culture acts, and that the
homestead law be so amended as TO require res-
idence for the period of five years from date OF
entry Without Communication or provision Tor
speculative relinquIshment. also recommend
the repeal Of the desert land laws, unless it
shall be the pleasure OF COZ. <ress to so amend
these laws as to render them less liable to abuse.
As the chief motive for the evasion Of the laws,
and the principal cause of their result in land
accumulation instead of land distribution IL the
facility with which transfers are made of the
right Intended TO be secured to settles. 1t may
be deemed advisable TO provide by legislation
some guards and checks upon the Animation OF
vested rights and lands covered thereby until
patent sissue. Last year an executive proclama-
tion was issued directing the removal of fences
which Enclosed the public domain. Many OF
these have been removed IN obedience to such
order, but much of the public land still remains
within the lines OF these unlawful fences The
ingenious methods resorted TO in order to con-
tinue these trespasses and the hardihood OF the
pretenses by which in some cases such in-
closures are justified are fully detailed in the
report of tho secretary oil. the Interior. The re-
moval Of the fences still remaining which in
close public and win be enforc ID with all the
authority and means with which the executive
branch of the government is or shall be invested
by congress for tnat purpose.
PENSIONS.
The report Of the commissioner of pensions
contains q detailed and most satisfactory exhibit
OF the operations OF the pension bureau during
the last fiscal year. The amount of work dona
was the largest in any year since the o~rganiza-
ton OF the bureau; and it has been done at less
cost than during the previous year Ia every divi-
sion On June 80, 1856, there were 365.783
pensions on the rolls of the bureau. Since 1861
there have been 1,018. 1855 applications for pen
sions filed, Of which 70, 1884 were based upon
service in the war Of 1872: there were 62l,754
of these applications allowed, including COLTS
to the soldiers OF 1872 and their widows. The
total amount paid for pensions since 1861 IL
$S08, 624,811.57. The number of new pensions
allowed during the year ended June 80.
than tSSo' has BEEN a allowed A IN any pug yo osr
save one since 1855. The names Of 1920 pen
sioners which had been previously dropped
from the rolls were restored during the year,
and after deducting those dropped within the
same time Tor various causes, q net increase re-
mains for the year of 20, 1858 names. From Jan.
i, 1861, to Dec. l, 1855, 1,967 private pension
acts had been passed. Since the aforementioned
date and during the last session of the congress,
644 such acts became laws. 1t seems TO me
that no one can examine our pension establish-
ment and its operations without being con-
WINGED 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
exist well entitled to relief in which the pen
sion bureau is poweriess TO relieve. The really
worthy cases of the class are such as only lack
by misfortune the kind or quantity OF proof
which the law and regulation of the bureau re-
quire, or which. though their merit is mp
parent, for some other reason cannot be
justly dealt with through general laws. These
conditions fully justify application to the con-
gress and special enactsnents, but report TO the
congress for q special pension act to overrule the
deliberate and careful determination Of the pen
sion bureau on the merits or to secure favorable
action when it could not be expected under the
most liberal execution Of generg4 laws IL must
be admitted opens the door TO allowance OF
questionable claims, and presents to the legisla-
tive and executive branches OF the government
applications clearly not within the law, and
plainly devoid OF merit, but so surrounded by
sentiment and patriotic feeling that they are
hard TO resist. I suppose it will not be denied
that many claims for pension ale made without
merit, and that many have been allowed upon
fraudulent representations This has been de-
clared by the pension bureau, not only In this
but In prior administrations. The usefulness
and the Justice of any system for the distribu-
tion of pensions depend upon the equality and
uniformity Of its operation. 1t will be seen
from the report OF the commissioner that there
are now paid by the government l3l different
rates OF pensions. He estimates, from the
best he can obtain. that 1000 OF
these who have served In the army and navy OF
the United States are now
SUPPORTED, IN wHoLE OR IN PART,
from public funds. or by organized charities, ex-
elusive Of those in soldiers homes under tho
direction and control Of the government. Only
ID per cent Of these are pensioners. while OF the
thine ITO o. On 5ne na lu cnn ! inc lUr ine ia she, Mar w sSme
and relatives, have been or now are in the re-
ceipt Of pensione. The American people, with a
patriotic and grateful regard for our ex-soldiers,
too broad and too sacred to be memorizec by
any special advocate, are not only willing but
anxious that equal and exact Justice should be
be done TO all honest claimants for pensions.
In their sight the friendiess and destitute soldier
dependent on public charity, If otherwise en-
titled, has precisely the same right to share in
the provision made for those who fought their
country's battles as those better able through
friends and influence to push their claims.
Every pension that is granted under our present
plan upon any other grounds than actual serv-
and every instance of the many III, which PEN
sfons are increased on other G. ou ads than the
merits OF the claim. work an injustice to the
brave and crippled but poor and friendless sol
dier, who is entirely neglected or who must be
content with the smallest sum allowed under
general laws. There are far too many neighboT-
hoods in which are found glazing cases of ine-
quality or treatment in the matter or pensions.
and they are largely due to a yielding In
the pension bureau to importantly on the
part Of those other than the pensioner,
special acts passed for the benefit Of individuals.
The men who fought side by side should stand
side by side when they participate IN q grateful
tion OF fairness and justice to our ex-soldiers.
and the protection Of the patriotic instincts OF
our citizens from pcrversion and violence, points
to the adoption OF g pension system broad and
comprehensive enough to cover every contin-
gency. and which shall make unnecessary an
Objectionable volume OF special legislation As
long as we adhere to the principle OF granting
Rbubiuuc " SCI ~ Ana 4ASHDltAbJ 40 btC NSSWit{
OF the service. the allowance OF pensions should
be restricted 10 cases presenting these features.
Every patriotic heart responds to a tender con-
sideration tor those who, having served their
country long and well. are reduced to destitu-
tion and dependence. not as an incident of thei<
service. but with advancing age or through sick
ness or misfortune. We are all tempted by the
contemplation OF such a condition to supply re-
lief. and are often impatient Of the limt-
tations OF public duty. Yielding to
no one in the desire to indulge this
feeling OF consideration. I cannot rid
myself Of the conviction that IL these ex-sol-
diers are to be relieved they and their cause are
entitled to the benefit Of an enactment under
which relief be claimed IS right. and that such
relief should be granted under the sanction of
law, not In evasion: nor should such worthy OBJ
jects of care. all equally entitledsto relief, be re-
mItted to the unequal operation OF sympathy or