Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-01-01

whlle others WerS more denSely popu-
| lated and the ground better suited for
agricultural pursuits. The territory
coming into the union as il now is as
a whole, would balance the geography
OF the country. 1t would balance
Texas and form the points of tri-
angle with it and New York. The
people of Dakota were not all
| agreed, however. Some of the
farmers were not sure that
they wanted to come into the condi
ton of 2 state just yet All that
must be considered. He did not think
the recent action Of the people in
going through the form OF q legisla-
ture, etc, would have any effect up
on congress. The letters he got from
people in Dakota indicated that the
people did not attach any grave i'm
portance TO ths act.
ANOTHER CIRCULAR FROM COMMISSION
ER SPARKS
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-In view of
The large number of defective, irregu-
lar and insufficient proofs presented
in public land cases, Commissioner
Sphl No VI tlC SthSIstl OlliCC HAS
issued a circular TO registers and re-
ceivers o. land Offices, in which he di-
rects that proofs must in all cases be
made to the satisfaction of registers
and receivers, and that cross -examin-
alton should be directed to verifca-
ton Of the material facts alleged in
the case and especially 10 the
actual facts of residence and
whether the entry is made or
sought to be perfected FOR the claim
ants occupation, or for the use and
benefits of others. Ready made
proofs presented merely for a pro
forma acknowledgment, without veri-
tcatiop, cross examination or evidence
of identity, will not, it is stated, be
considered snch rrccfs a3 aa.-S'eguived
by law. The officers taking Aiidavits
aud testimony are required "A Csi the
attention of parties and witnesses to
the laws respecting false swearing
and the penalties therefor, and inform
them of the purpose Of the govern
ment to hold all persons to a strict ac-
countabllity for any statements made
by them.
MRS. BURNETT S PENSION CASE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-The pension
burea is in receipt of thousands of let
ters from all parts of the country, in
dicating the existence of wide spread
but erroneous impression that the re-
cent decision of the supreme court in
the case of Mrs. Hattie A. Burnett VS..
the United States would bring about
an almost total change in the rates OF
pensions allowed TO the widows of sol
diers of the late war. The decision,
which was rendered by Justice Har-
Ian, on the contrary sustains the prac
tice Of the pension Office.
Mrs. Burnett's husband, General
Ward II. Burnett, was allowed pen
sion of $72 per month by a special act
of congress, on account of his totally
helpless condition, due to wounds re
ceived during the Mexican war. The
widow was allowed a pension of $50
in accordance with the provisions of
tie general law. She, however, ap-
pealed TO the court, claiming the
amount per month that her husband
had received. That court in its de-
cision used this language: "The
widow becomes entitled to pension
not necessarily at the same rate her
husband was entitled TO, but the rate
he would have been entitled to If his
claim was founded upon what in the
pension law is technically called total
disability The degree of disability
by which his pension was rated makes
no difference with the widows right.
After death all degrees of disability
are considered by law as one and the
same, to-wit: Total disability and
the rate of pension given to that grade
becomes the rate OF pension for the
widow. The pensions to living sol
diers are granted according to their
respective capacity TO perform man
ual labor When tAe disability is
$50 month is given as an equivalent.
a pension of $50 a month, the sup
posed equivalent for the total disabil-
ity is granted the widow. The de-
cision of the United States supreme
court which has been so much mis-
understood simply as before stated
affirns the judgement of the court
of claims, and the long established
practice of the pension bureau has
thereby received the sanction of the
highest tribunal in the land.
A MONUMENT TO THE LATE VICE PRES
IDENT.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 29.-Last even
| ing Senator Voorhees, received the
following letter from the president:
| MY DEAR SIR-
| / understand that a movement is On foot 10
erect monument TO the memory of the late vice
president and that il is to be tribute 20 his worth
end services on the part Of his friends and associ
| ates. This project is so fitting and appropriate
that 1t seems 70 me that it must be with general
approval My relations with Mr.. Hendricks,
both personal and official were such that il would
| be source Of much satisfaction 20 me 70 see
time hope ! may be allowed to aid in the under
| taking. Yours sincerely,
QSigned) GROVER CLEvELAsD
In reply 10 the presidents commun
| ication the senator wrote as follows:
wAsHrseToS, Dec. 20, 1855.
have the honor 10 acknowledge the receipt Of
| your highly estimated favor of yesterday On
/ behalf Of the immediate personal friends Of the
late vice president and Of the great body Of the
people OF Indiana, feel authorized to tender
you their very grateful aud sincere thanks Tor
naent 50 honorable TO his memory and
well earned By bis public services and bis pri-
act on your pa-t IN the midst OF your present la
| bors for the public good viii be longer cherished
or mere highly priced by the people OF his state
! than your sympathy In their EFFORTS to erect a
monument TO his fame With the highest respect
and wzrrnest personal regard, am
Very faithfully yours,
(Slgned), DIV. VOORHEES,.
THE SHIPMENT OF ARMS AND AMMUNI-
TIOE TO ALASKA.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-The treas
ury department has informed the col
Iector Of customs at Portland, Oregon,
that shipments to Alaska OF arms and
ammunition, other than breech load
ing rifles and fixed ammunition there
for, mentioned in the presidents pro
hihitory order. are 10 b treated - the