Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-12-08
ABOUT PENSIONS.



The report of the commissioner of pensions con-
tains detailed and most satisfactory exhibit 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 organization of
bureau; and it has ben done at less cost than
during the previous year in every division. On
the Soth day OF June 1852 there were $50, 1888
Since 1861 there have been 1108, 735
applications for pensions filed, of which
rs, 1874 were based upon service ia the of 1912,
There were 62l, 754 of these applications allowed,
including 60,16 to the soldiers OF 1872 and their
widows The total amount paid for pensions
since 1861 is S8oS,624, Sl157 The number of
new pensions allowed during the year ended
June 80, 1886, is 40,357, larger number
than has been allowed in any year
save one since 1861 The names of 2, 229 pension
rolls were restored during the year, and a fter
deducting those dropped within the same time
for various causes, net increase remains for the
year of 20,65S names. From January 1, 1861 to
December /, 1885, 1867 private pension acts had
been passed. Since the last mentioned
date and during the last session of
1t seems to me that no one can examine
our pension establishment and its operations
without being convinced that through its in
strumentality justice can be very nearly done to
all who are entitled under present laws to the
pension bounty of the government But 1t is
undeniable that cases exist we'll entitled to re-
lief lief in which the pension bureau is power
of the 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 gen.
era laws These conditions fully justify appica-
tions to Congress for special enactments;
but report TO Congress for special pension act
to overdue the deliberate and careful determi-
nation of the pension bureau on the merits, or
to secure favorable action when it could not be
general laws it must be admitted opens the
door TO allowance of questionable claims, and
presents to the legislative and executive
branches of the government applications
clearly not within the law, and plainly de-
void of merit but SO surrounded by sentiment
and patriotic feeling that they are hard to resist
/ suppose it will not be denied that many claims
for pensions ale made W thout merit, and that
many have been allowed upon fraudulent repre-
sensations. This has been declared from the
Pension Bureau, not only in this but in prior adj
ministratfons The usefulness and the justice of
any system for the distribution of pensions de-
pend upon the equality and uniformity Of its
1t will be seen from the report
of the commissioners that they are
now paid by the government 13i different rates
of pension. Estimates from the best informa
ton he can obtain That 600 of those W hO have
served IN the army and navy of the United
states are now supported, in whole or
ganized charities exclusive OF those In
soldiers homes under the direction and con-
troll OF the government. Only Is per cent of these
are pensioners. while of the entire number of
men furnished for the late something like 20
per cent, including their widows and relatives
have been or now are in the receipt of pensions
The American people, with a patriotic and CRATE
full reg ird for our ex-soldiers too broad and too
sacred to he monOpOlized by any special advo
Gates. are not only willing but anxious that equal
and exact justice should be done to all honest
claimants Tor pensions. In their sight the friend
less and destitute soldier, dependent on public
charity If otherwise entitled has precisely the
same 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 I'M
der our present plan upon any other grounds
than actual service injury, or disease incurred in
such service, and very instance of the many in
which pensions increased on other grounds
than the merits of the claim, work an injustice
to the brave and crippled the poor and friendless
soldier who is entirely eglected or who must be
content with the smallest sum allowed under gen.