The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-08-10
What the Official Records Show.
WHAT CLEVELAND s ADMINISTRATION
HAS ZONE FOR TIE SOLDIER AND
THE SOLDIERS WIDOWS.

y
the Democratic party to National pow
er, one of the stock arguments of the
Republican press and speakers in eve
ry campaign, was, that should the
Democratic party be entrusted with
the administration of National affairs,
the interest of Union soldiers in the
matter of pensions would be seriously
jeopardized. Well, the Democratic
party has now been in power for more
than three years, and what do the Of
ficial records show has been done in
the way of pensions for Union SOL
diers, their widows, orphans and de-
pendent relatives? Let us see. Let
us compare the new with the old, as
shown by the official records of the
Pension Bureau.
The annual reports of the Commits
sioner of Pensions for the fiscal years
1888, 1884 and 1885, show that dur
ing those years 108,121 original, 49,
268 increase, and 1852 miscellaneous
certific 4tes were issued. Total claims
admitted during the last three years
of Republican rule, 91,221.
The annual reports of the Commits
sioner of Pensions for the fiscal years
1886 and 1887, and the records of the
Pension Bureau for the fiscal year of
1883, (the annual report of the Com
missioner for the last year not having
yet been made,) show that through
those three years l56,226 original,
181,173 increase, and 22,055 micellan-
eous certificates were issued. Total
claims admitted during the first three
years of Democratic rule, 359,452.
E1cess of certificates issued by the
Democrats, 16S,231,
NET INCREASE TO PENSION ROLLS.
The net increase to the rolls during
the fiscal years 1888, 1884 and 1885,
was SOAPS. The net increase to the
pension rolls during the fiscal years
1886, 1887 and 1888, was 104,875.
Escess of net increase under Demo-
Gratis, 45,447.
FUNDS DIsBURsED.
During the fiscal years 1883, 1884
and 1885, $l83,399,2 ,2l6 81 was disbur-
sed on account of pension. During
the fiscal year 1886, 1887 aDd 1888,
$2l7, ,309,757 80 was disbursed on &C.
count of pensions. Ercess of Dis6atr-
senaents By Democrats, $34, ,000,541
Oh.
NEW NAMES ADDED TO PENSION ROLLS.
During the fiscal years 1883, 1884
and 1885, l0S,l21 new names were
added TO the rolls. This includes,
however, the names of 1896 new
names added to the rolls by General
Black, from March II, 1885, the day
on which he assumed charge Of the
Pension Bureau to Juue 80, 1885.
During the fiscal years 1885, 1886
and 1887, 1926, the names of the
1896, new pensioners lded to the
rolls by General Black, during the
last three and half months of the
fiscal year 1885, it makes total OF
172,132 new names added to the pen
sion rolls since General Black assumed
charge of the Pension Bureau. Civ
ing the Republican administration the
benefit of 1906 neS names added to
the rolls, during the last three and a
half months of the fiscal year 1885
during which time the Pension Blu.
reau was under Democratic control
we find the excess of new names ad
ded to the rolls by the Democratic
administration during its first three
years erceeds those added TO the roils
during The last three gears Of Rep
abtican administration 48,105.
GENERAL PENSION ACTS.
Now let us see what the official re
cords show has been done by President
Cleveland in his official capacity fol
ex-Union soldiers, Their widows, or
phans and dependent relatives, sine,
his inauguration on the 4th of March
1885.
WIDOWS INCREASE.
| lie approved the act of March 10
1886, which has increased to SIP pc
month the pensions of l02, ,568 widow
minors ard dependent relatives o
Union soldiers. The total annua
increase in money granted TO thes
lO2, 56S pensioners, by reason of hi
, approval of said act, is $4,923,264
INvAILDs INCREASE.
He approved the act of August 4
1886, which has increased the pension
OF 10,082 crippled and manned Unio
, soldiers of the late war from S24 3
|, $50, from $50 TO $50, and $50 an
$3.50 to $40 per month, The aver
age increase in these cases is estimate
> 20 be 50 per month or $l0S per yea
: and the total annual increase in none
granted TO these 10,0S2 pensioners b
reason of his approval of said act Q
!. August 4, 1886, is therefore Sl,Os9
936.
. MEXICAN WAR PENSIONS.
al He approved the act of January q
!. 1887, which has placed ON the pensio
rolls 2l,704 survivors and widows I