The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-12-09

CienCy OF the public land service are commented
of public lands In limited quanti-
ties among settlers Of residence and cultivation
and thus make the greatest number OF individ-
lilo land LEGISLATION IN the early days Of the re-
public. This system was simple one. IL COM
menced with an admirable scheme OF public
o nS * s1as ss ss Wished
to establish his home The prico Of lands was
placed within the reach Of all the enterprising.
and honest pioneer citiasns Of the me
object Of the laws was perverted under the sys-
tenn Of cash sales from . distribution of land
among the people to an acoamn a.; Of land
TO check this tendency preference right OF
purchase was given to settlers on the land.
plan which illuminated In the general pre-emp-
tion act Of 1941. The foundation Of this system
was actual residence and cultivation: Twenty
years later the homestead law was devised to
more surely place actual homes In the possess
sion of actual cultfvators Of the soil. The land
was given without price. the sole conditions be-
Ing residence. improvement and cultivation.
Other laws have followed, each designed to en-
tied individual quantities. But in late years
these laws, through vicious administrative
methods and under changed conditions Of COM
mnnioation ana tran ss nave neen 80
pose is threatened with entire defeat. The
methods OF such evasions and violations are set
forth in detail in the reports of the secretary OF
land office. The rapid appropriation OF our pub
lie lands without bona flde settlements or CIV
ilization. and not only without intention of res
idence, but for the purpose OF their aggregation
In large holdings, In many cases In the hands Of
foreigners. invite the serious and immediate at
tention of congress. The earnings OF the land
department have been devoted during the pres
emit administration to remedy defects and
CORRECT ABUSES
In the public land service The results Of these
efforts so largely In the nature Of reforms in
the practice and methods OF our land system as
to prevent adequate estimates; but 1t appears
from a compilation from the reports of the COM
OF the general laud office that the i'm
mediate effect In leading cases which have come
to the masses Of public lands aggregatina
$3.50, 900 acres: that 2, $40, 600 acres are en-
braced in Investigations now pending before the
department or the courts, and that action OF
congress has been asked to effect the restoration
of 2. 700, 900 acres additional; besides which
,OOO. 900 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 30 amended as to require res
idence for the period of i've years from date OF
entry without Communication or provision for
speculative REIMBURSEMENT. also recommend
the repeal Of the desert land laws. unless it
shall be the pleasure OF congress- to 80 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
instead of land distribution ia the
facility with which transfers are made Of the
right Intended to be secured to settlers, it may
be deemed advisable to provide by legislation
some guards and checks upon the Animation Of
vested rights and lands covered thereby until
ton was issued directing the removal Of fences
which inclosed 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 AID the hardihood Of the
pretenses by which in some cases such in
closures are justified are fully detailed in the
report of the secretary of the interior. The re-
moval of the fences still remaining which in
close public lands will be enforced with all the
authority and means with which the executive
branch of the government Is or shall be invested
by congress for That purpose
PENSIONS
The report of the commissioner OF pensions
contains detailed and most satisfactory exhibit
of the operations Of the pension bureau during
the list fiscal year. The amount OF work done
was the largest in any year since the organiza-
ton of the bureau; and it has been done at less
cost than during the previous year in every divi-
sion. On June 80. 1856, there were 800, 7S3
pensions on the rolls of the bureau. Since 1861
there have been LOIS. 735 applications for PEN
sions filed, of which 7s. s34 were based up n
service in the war of 1912; there were 62l, 754
of these applications allowed, including 6O. Its
to the soldiers OF 1912 and their widows. The
SsOs, ga. s11.57. The number Of new pensions
allowed during the year ended June 30.
s ssSe has b $685. allowed a any 9es9
save one since 1865. The names Of g, 229 pen
sioners which had been previously dropped
from the rolls were restored during the year,
and after deducting those dropped within the
same time for various causes. net increase re-
mains for the year OF 2O,658 names From jan
!, 1861, to Dec. /, 1885. 1867 private pension
date and during the last session Of the congress.
GA such acts became laws. 1t seems to me
that no one can examine our pension establish
ment and it's operations without being con-
WINGED that through its instrumentality justio.
can be very nearly done to all who are entitled
under present laws to the pension bounty of the
governments. But i is undeniabe that cases
sion bureau is powerless to relieve. The really
worthy cases of the class are such as only lack
by misfortune the kind or quantity Of proof
quire. or which. though their merit is ap-
parent, for some other reason cannot be
justly dealt with through neral laws. These
gress and special enactments, but report to the
for special pension act to override the
deliberate and careful determination of the pen
sion bursa1 on sne merits Or 70 secure iayora PIE
most liberal execution Of general laws 1t 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
uaIu 10 feSlSt. bQpUQSo ~ VIII tOU 10 ucuiCQ
that many claims for pension are made vitheut
merit, and that many have been allowed upon
representations. This has been de-
elared by the pension bureau not only IN TINS
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 131 different
rates of pensions. He estimates. from the
best information he oan obtain. that 5000 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 the
direction and control Of the government. Only
3 per eeut o. these are pensioners, while OF the
number OF men furnished for the late war some
thing like 20 per cent, Including their widows
and relatives, have been or now ire in the re-
ceipo of pensione. The American people, with
patriotic and grateful regard for our ex-solders,
too broad and to1 SACRED to be .memorized 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 friendless 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
eoAntry's battles as those better able through
aaa to push their
plan upon any other grounds than actual serv-
Ice. injury or disease incurred in such service,
and every instance OF the many in which pen
merits of the claim, work an injustice to the
brave and crippled but poor and friendless soil
dier, who is entirely neglected or who must be
content with the smallest sum allowed under
general laws. There are far too many neighbour
hoods In which are found glazing cases of inc
quality Of treatment In the matter of pensions,
and they are largely due to yielding in
the peystop bureau to importantly on the
part Of those 0theg than the pensioner,
who are especially interested, OF they srise 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 a grateful
nations kind remembrance. Every considera-
ton 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 pension system broad and
comprehensive enough to cover every COL tin
gency, and which shall make unnecessary an
Questionable volume of special legislation. AS
long as We adhere t0.the principle. Of granting
pensions for Service Ind disability as the result
of the service. the allowance Of pensions should
be restricted to cases presenting these features.
Every patriotic heart responds to q tender con-
siaarstion tor those who. having served their
country lo4g and well, are reduced to destitu-
tion aud depondshee not IS an incident Of their
service. but with advancina AGE 6r through Sick
ness or misfortune. We are al tempted by tho
contemplation Of such . condition to supply res
lief. and are often impatient of the liri-
tatiops OF public duty. Yielding to
M o,ie Ia khe desire tn tndul0a this