Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-12-08
PENSIONS.
PENSIONS.
A CAREFUL REVIEW OF THE WORK or THE
RIrRRAn

BUREAU.
The report Of the commissioner of pensions
contains detailed and most satisfactory ex-
hibt OF the operations OF the pension bureau.
During the last fiscal year the amount Of work
done was the largest in any year since the organ
izatinu of the bureau, and has been done ut least
coet in every division.
On the seth day of June, 1855, there were $685.
1888 pensions on the rolls of the bureau.
Since 1851 there have been LOIS 735 applications
for pensions filed, of which 1854 were based
upon service in the war of 1872. There were S2i.-
754 of these applications allowed, including co.
IFS TO the soldiers Of 1872 and their widows. The
total amount paid for pensions since 1854 u
sss624,si,s1. The number Of new pen,
June so. 1886. is 10. 557, a larger number than
has been allowed in any year cave one since 1881.
The names of !, s29 pensioners which had pre-
during the year, and after deducting their num-
Der dropped within the time for various causes a
net increase remains FOR the year OF 2J.658
names.
From January 1, 1881, to December ], 1885. 1887
private pension acts have been passed Since
the last mentioned date, and during the last ses-
sion OF congress, 6d4 such acts became laws. It
seems to me that 10 one can examine our PEN
sion establishment and it's operations without
being convinced that through its instrument
tally
to all who are entitled under present laws 10 the
pension bounty of the government. But it is
undeniable that cases exist. we'll entitled to re-
lief. in which the pension bureau is powerlees TO-
snch as Only lack by misS"rtnne ah. lind =. ~
quantity of proof which the law ami regulations
OF the bureau reanire. or which. though their
be justly dealt with through general laws. These
iops fully justify application 70 the con-
grcss and special tnactments. But resort to the
the careful DISCRIMINATION Of the pension buresn
OF the merits. or to secure favorable action when
IT could not be expected under the most liberal
execution OF general lave, II must be admitted
OPENS THE DOOR
to allowance Of Questionable elaine and presents
TO the Legislative and executive branches Of the
government applications. conceded not within
tho law and plainly devoid Of merit, but 30 sur-
rounded BY ntiment and patriotic feeling that
they are hard to resist. suppose IL will NOT be
denied that many claims for pension are made
without merit, and that many have been allowed
npon fraudulent, representations HE has been
declared from the pension bureau not only
in this but In prior administrations. The usefuI-
ness and the justice OF any. system for the dis
trlbu.ion Of pensions depends upon the equality
II viii % seen from the report OF the commits
sioner that there are now raid BY the govern
from tss En- ss Ct e hs
tina. ~ !. 20 y ahass rho served in the army and
navy 81 me United states are now supported 81
Tnsis g n f,s from public fGsds e.
under the difestion and control " tho governs
Inent onls y per cent; IT these arr psnsaopess,
Tnlls g fs sntiss , q men fuInish e.
ing their widowe and relatives have hesrl 81 ~
now in receipt q psnsions. The Amsrican pso-
pie, with . ass
PATRIOTIC Ann oKArsFuL RnaARD
for our ex-scldlers. too bsoaa ma to saessd "
not only wilma but ~ xiens fhst sesSr7 SSsf -