New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15

right Intended to be secured to settlers. it may
be deemed advisable to provide by legislation
some guards and checks upon the alination of
vested rights and lands covered thereby until
patent sissue. Last year an executive proclama-
tlon was issued directing the removal of fences
which inclosed the public domain. Many of
order, but much of the public land still remains
within the lines of these unlawful fences. The
tinue these trespasses and 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-
close public lands will be enforced with all the
authority and means with which the executive
branch Of the government is or shall he 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 lest fiscal year. The amount of work done
was the largest in any year since the organiza-
tion Of the bureau; and it has been done at less
cost than during the previous year in every divi-
sion. On June 30, 1886, there were 365, ,7S3
pensions on the rolls of the bureau. Since 1861
there have been 1.O1S. 735 applications for pen
sions filed, of which 78, S34 were based upsn
service in the war of 1912; there were 621, ,754
of these applications allowed, including 6Ol7S
to the soldiers OF 1912 and their widows. The
o total amount paid for pensions since 1861 is
1886. is 40.357. a. larger number
than has been s11.- allowed Ln in any " year
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 2O65S names From Jan.
1, 1861, to Dec l. 1885, 1867 private pension
acts had been passed Since the last mentioned
date and during the last session Of the congress,
644 such acts became laws. 1t seems to me
that no one can examine our pension establish
ment and its operations without being con-
vinced that through it's 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 unden1able that cases
exist well entitled to relief in which the pen
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
which the law and regulation OF the bureau re-
quire, or which. though their merit is ap-
justly dealt with through general laws. These
conditions fully justify application to the con-
gress and special enactmenJs, but report to the
congress for special pension act to overrule the
deliberate and careful determination of the pen
sion bureau on the merits or to secure favorable
action when it could not be expected under the
most liberal execution Of general laws it 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
hard TO resist. suppose it will not be denied
merit, and that many have been allowed upon
fraudulent representations. This has been de-
clared by the pension bureau, not only in this
but in prior administrations. The usefulness
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
are now paid by the government 131 different
rates OF pensions. He estimates, from the
best information he can obtain. that 5000 of
these who have served in the army and navy of
9teSo a,,nyu
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
l3 per cent of these are pensioners, while of the
number of men furnished for the late war some
thing like 20 per cent, including their widows
ceipt of pensi0ne. The American people, with
patriotic and grateful regard for ex-soldiers,
TOO broad and too sacred to be memorized by
any special advocate, not only willing but
anxious that equal and exact justice should be
be done to all honest claimants for pensions.
In their sight the frendless 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
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 actual serv-
ice. injury or disease incurred in such service,
and every instance Of the many in which pen
sions are increased on other grounds than the
merits Of the claim. work an injustice to the
brave and crippled but poor and friendless SOL
der, 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 glaring cases Of ine-
quality of treatment in the matter of pensions.
and they are largely due to yielding in
the pension 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 benefit Of individuals
The men who fought side by side should stand
side bv side when they participate in grateful
nations kind remembrance. Every considera-
t1on OF fairness and justice to our ex-soldiers,
our citizens from pcrversion and violence, points
to the adoption of pension system broad and
comprehensive enough to cover every coutin-
gency. and which shall make unnecessary an
objectionable volume of special legislation. As
long as we adhere to the principle of granting
pensions for service and disability as the result
be restricted to cases presenting these features.
Every patriotic heart responds to tender con-
sideration tor those who, having served their
country long and well, are reduced to destitu-
t1on and dependence, not as an incident Of theiz
service. but with advancing age or through sick
ness misfortune. We are all tempted by the
contemplation OF such condition to supply re-
no one in the desire to indulge this
feeling feeling Of consideration; cannot rid
diers are to be relieved they and their cause are
entitled to the benefit Of an enactment under
which relief be claimed as right, and that such
relief should be granted under the sanction Of
law. not in evasion; nor should such worthy OBJ
ects of care all equally entitled to relief be re-
mltted to the unequal operation of sympathy or
the tender mercies of social and political in
fuence with their unjust Determinations. The
DISCHARGED soldiers and sailors of the country
are our fellow citizens. and interested with us in
the faithful execution of who esome law. They
cannot be swerved from their duty or citizenship
by artful appeals to their spirit OF brotherhood
porn OF common peril and suffering nor will
they exact as test of devotion to their welfare
Willingness to neglect public duty In their
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
POWER OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT
The relations of labor and capital and Of labor
Ing men to their employers are Of the utmost
concern to every patriotic citizen. When these
are strained and distorted unjusttaable claims