National Republican., 1886-12-07

wealthy and speculative persons. To cheek
this tendency a preference right OF pur-
chase was given to settlers on tne
land, plan which eliminated IN the gen
dation of this system was actual residence
and cultivation. Twenty years later the
homestead law was devised TO more surely
nlgce actual homes in the possession OF
actual cultivators Of the soil. The land was
given without price, the sole conditions
being residence, improvement, anu cuitSe
tion. Other laws have followed, each de,
signed to encourage the requirement and
use OF land in limited individual quantities.
But I'm later years these laws, through
vicious administrative methods and under
changed conditions OF communication and
transportation, have been so evaded and
violated that their benehcent purpose Is
threatcne1 with entire defeat. The methods
OF such evasious and violations are set forth
In detail In the reports Of the Secretary OF
the Interior and commissioner OF the general
land Office. The rapid appropriation oil our
public lands without bona fide settlements
or cultivation. and not only without inten-
tion Of residence, but Tor the purpose ol 4
their aggregation In large holdings, in many
cases In the hands of foreigners, invites the
serious and immediate attention OF the Con-
gress. ,.,-
been devoted during the present admins
tratlon to remedy defects and correct abuses
in the public land service. The results OF
these efforts are so largely In the nature Of
reforms in the processes and methods OF
cur land system as TO prevent adequate
estimate: but IL appears by compilation
from the reports ofthe commissioner of the
general land Office that the immediate effect
In leading cases which have come TO a fnal
termination has been the restoration to the
mass of public lands OF ., 100, ,OOO acres; that
- pmlFnppi in inVngttnu-
tions now pending before the department
or the courts, and that the action OF Con-
gress has been asked to effect the restora-
ton Of 2,1G0,0O0 acres additional; besides
which 4,0O0,0O0 acres have heen Withheld
fTCm reservation, and the rights OF entry
thereon maintained.
/ recommend the repeal OF the pre- emp
tien and timber culture acts, and that the
homestead laws be so amended as to better
secure compliance with their requirements
Of residence, improvement, and cultivation
for the period Of five wears from date OF
entry, without Communication or provision
for speculative REIMBURSEMENT | also rec
ommend the repeal OF the desertland laws
unless It shall be the pleasure OF the Con
rress to so amend these laws as to render
them less liable to abuses. As the chief
motive for an evasion Of the laws, and the
principal cause of their result In land accu-
mutation instead Of land distribution, is the
luCllllN WIFI W alO lhouN VI
the right intended to be secured to settlers,
IL may be deemed advisable to provide by
legislation some guards and checks upon
the alienation of homestead rights and
lands covered thereby until patents issue.
Last year an executive proclamation 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 un-
lawful fences. The ingenious methods re-
sorted to In order to continue these tress-
passes and the hardihood OF the pretences
by which, in some cases, such Enclosures are
justified, are fully detailed In the report Of
The Secretary Of the Interior.
The removal Of the fences still remaining
which inclose public lands will be enforced
with all the authority and means with
which the executive branch OF the govern
meut is or shall be invested by the Congress
for that purpose.
The repof,,af the commissioner Of pen
tory exhibit ctHheoperat- = =. N the pension
aH5sSH amSST, d%rs oi work yiaF largest ThS
any year since the on ,Jilation of the
bureau, and It has been } Zone at less cost
than during the preS OK every divis-
iO9; On the 18th day ofNE, 1856, there were
SGS, Snris9 ISS pensioners oag:ho rolls OF the
Since 1861 there haY.S cen LOIS, 735 ap-
plications for pensions M of which
1854 were based upon serI lin the war
Of 1912. There were 62l, ,75s III these ap-
plications allowed, including COLTS to the
soldiers OF 1879 and their widows.
The total amount paid for pensions since
1861 Is $S0S, ,G24 ,Sl1,57
The number OF new pensions allowed
during the year ended June 30, 1886, is
90,S5T-a larger number than has been al
lowed in any year save one since 1851; the
names Of 300 pensioners which had been
previously dropped from she rolls were re-
stored during the year, and, after deducting
those dropped within the same time for
various causes, net increase remains for
the year of 20 65S names.
From Jan. !, 1861, to Dec. !, 1885, 1,96i
private pension acts had been passed. Since
the aforementioned date, and during the
last session of the Congress, GA such acts
became laws.
1t seems to me that no one can examine
cur pension establishment and It's opera
tions without being convinced 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 it is undeniable that cases exist, well
entitled TO relief, In which the pension
bureau is powerless to aid. The really
worthy cases OF this class are such as only
lack by misfortune the kind or quantity Of
proof which the law aud regulations OF the
bureau require, or which, though theii
merit is apparent, for some other reason
cannot be justly dealt with through general
laws. These conditions fully justify appi
cation to the Congress and special enact
ments. But resort to the Congress for {
special act to oyerrule the deliberate ant
careful determination OF the pension bureau
on the merits or to secure favorable actor
when 1t could not be expected under tn,
most liberal execution of general laws, 1
must be admitted, opens the door to th
allowance Of questionable claims and pre-
sents to the legislative and executive
branches Of the government application
concededly not within the law and plalnl
devoid of merit, but so surrounded by senti
ment and patriotic feeling that they ar
hard to resist ! suppose 1t Will not be de
MED that many claims for pension are mad
without merit and that many have been al
lowed upon fraudulent representation
This has been declared from the pensio
bureau, not only in this, but In prior ad
miDistrations.
The usefulness and the justice of an
system for the distribution OF pensions dc
pend upon the equality and uniformity
its operation.
1t will be seen from the report OF th
commissioner that there are now paid b
the government 1871 different rates Of per
sion.
lie estimates from the best informatlo
he can obtain that 1900 Of those who serve
in the army and navy OF the United State
are now supported, In whole or In par
from public funds or by organized charitie
exclusive Of those in soldiers homes undC
the direction and control Of the government
Only 13 per cent. OF these are pensloner
while the entire number Of men furnlshe
for the late war something like 20 per cent
including their widows and relatives, hay
been or now are In receipt OF pensions.
The American people, with a patriot
and grateful regard for our ex-soldiers-tc
broad and too sacred to be monopolized