Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-12-10
PEN SlONS.
The Question of Private Pension Bills
toll

The report Of the commissioner of pensions
during the last fiscal year Gays the amount OF
work done was the largest in any year since
the organization OF the bureau; and it has
been done at lees cost than during the pre-
vious year in every division. On the 18th day
on the 'olls of the bureau.
Since 1861 there have been 1,01s,7s5
applications for pensions filed, Of which
SIS, 1874 were based upon service in the war Of
1879. There were 621,75 of these applica-
tions allowed, including $50, 178 to the soldiers
of 1912 and their widows. The total amount
paid for pensions since 1851 is $s08, 624 811.57.
The number of new pensions allowed during
the year ended June 80, 1885, is
S40.357. a larger number than
has been allowed in any year save one since
1865. The names Of 1929 pensioners, which
had been previously dropped from the rolls,
were restored during the year, and after
de6ucting those dropped within the same
time for various causes net increase remains
for the year Of .O,65s names. From January
l, 1861. to Decent er !, 1885, 1857
PRIVATE PENSION ACTS
had been passed. Since the last mentioned
date and during the last session OF the con-
gress GA such acts became laws. It seems
to me that no one can examine our pension
establishment and its operations without being
convinced that through its fundamentally
justice can be very nearly done to all who are
entitled under present laws to the
But it is undeniable that cases
exist we'll entitled to relief, in which the
pension bureau is powerless to relieve the
really worthy cases. OF this class are such as
only lack by misfortune the kind or 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 application to the
congress and special enactments. But
report to the congress for q special pension
act to overrule the deliberate and careful de.
| termination of the pension bureau on the
merits OF to secure favorable action when 1t
could not be expected under the most liberal
execution of general laws. 1t must be admit
ted, opens the door to allowance OF question
able claims, and presents to the legislative and
executive branches of the government applica-
lions clearly not within the law, and plainly
devoid Of n crit, but so
SURROUNDED By SENTIMENT
| and patriotic feeling that they are hard to re-
sist suppose it will not be denied that many
claims for pension are made without merit,
| and that many have been allowed upon fraud
ulent representations. This has been de-
| clared from the pension bureaus, not only In
! this but in prior administrations. The use
fu]nees and the justice Of any system for the
! distribution of pensions depend upon equality
and uniformity of its operation. 1t will be
| eeen from the report OF the commissioner that
there are now paid by the government one
hundred and thirty. one different rates Of pen
sion. Estimates from the best information
have served in the army and navy
Of the United States are now sup
ported, in whole or in part, from
| public funds or by organized charities, ex-
| elusive Of those in soldiers homes, under the
direction and control of the government. Only
10 per cent of these pensioners. while
of the number of men furnished for
the late war something like 20 per cent In
Guiding their widows and relatives, have been
or now are in the receipt Of pensions. The
American people. with
PATRIOTIC AND GRATEFUL REGARD
for our ex-eoldiers, are not only willing but
| anxious that equal and exact Justice ehould be
| done to all honest claimants for pensions. In
their sight the friendless and destitute soldier,
dependent on public charity, or otherwise en-
titled, has precisely the came right to share in
the provisions 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 practical
| service, injury or disease incurred In such
service, and every instance 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 friend
less, soldier, who is entirely neglected., or who
must be content with the smallest sum
allowed under general laws. There are far
too many neighborhoods in which are found
| GLAZING CASES OF INEQUALITY
OF treatment in the matter Of pensions, and
they are largely due to yielding in the pen
zion bureau to importantly on the
part Of those other than the pensioner, who
are especially interested; or they arise from
special acts passed for the ben
eft Of individuals. The men
who fought side by eide
should stand side by side when they participate
in grateful nation g kind remembrance. Every
| consid Grafton Of fairness and justice to orr
ex-soldier and the protection of the patriotic
instinct of our citizens from perversion and
violence, point to the adoption Of a pension
system broad and comprehensive enough to
cover every contingency, and which
shall make unnecessary an Objectionable vol
unie Of special legislation. As long az we adj
here to the principle of granting pensions for
service and disability as the result of the ser