Wichita eagle., 1888-08-30
ANNUAL PENSION REPORT.


WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.-The annual re-
port of the commissioner of pensions
shows that there were during the fiscal
year ending June so, 1885, added to the
pension rolls GO, 252 new names, the largest
annual increase in the history of the
bureau, making total of 452, 557 invalids,
92,92S widows, minor children and de-
pendent relatives 81 revolutionary wild
ows, minor children and dependent
relatives, sos SUI rvivors of the war of 1912,
10,1S7 widows of those who served in
that war, 5000 survivors of the
war with Mexico, and 5,104 widows
of those who served in that
war. The names of ZOOS previously
dropped were restored to the rolls, making
an aggregate of 62,62S added during the
year. During the same period 1887 were
dropped from the rolls on account of death
and various other causes, leaving a net in
crease to the rolls of AZ, $50 names; l. 166, 926
pension claims have been filed since 1861
and 137 200 claims of all classes have been
allowed since that date. The amount paid
for pension since 1861 has been 1868, OS6 444;
increase of pension was granted in SIG
cases. The aggregate annual value of pen
sionS is 500, 1Q1 ,221 an increase of 50 $50 10.
The amount of pensions paid during the
year was SIS, as, $50, an increase over the
previous year OF sos, $50. The total amount
disbursed by pension agents for all purposes
was S19, 646, 146. The cost attending such
disbursements was in the aggregate s626,-
214, it being fraction less than 40 per cent
of the total expenditures of the bureau
The total amount expended for all purposes
was S., OBS, $50, being PA per cent of the
total estimated gross income of
the United States for the Pc
Rod. The gross expenditures of
the government for the fiscal year 1888
were S267, 92i sol, so that the amount ex-
pended for and on account of pensions was
nearly 81 per cent of the entire outlay of
the government. There We're filed during
the year 4, $40 applications for original
pensions. II, 1S9 widows, 2,446 dependent
mothers and 1854 dependent fathers,
making the total of GAS. The highest
number of claims on account of the late
war was received from Ohio, Indiana fol-
lowing next, then New York and Pennsyl-
vania; and from Montana, Utah and
South Carolina were received mp to Novem-
Der 80 last 2o,6S1 claims filed under the
Mexican pension act, u, 1SS being surviv-
ors and ., 1913 widows: l6,s survivors and
5I95 widows cases have been allowed
The reflections were 81 survivors and col
widows, mainly because the applications
had not arrived at the reputed age of 81
years. OF these Mexican claimants but
l,9S2 were unsettled on the Sd of June
Over - per cent of all persons are paid
by the pension agents within ten days after
the quarterly payments IS due, and payment
can be made more directly without multi
lating the agencies Fifteen thousand
cases of increase of pension. under recent
legislation have been settled without ex-
penses or delay TO the pensioners.
The commissioner states that he sent
copies OF his annual report for 1851. 10 the
commanders Of the various military de-
partments of the United States with a re-
quest that after consideration they would
submit suggestions looking TO improve
ment in existing laws, which action was
earnestly requested by the president. A
majority OF those officers expressed the
opinion that the present pension laws are
amply sufficient for every emergency; and
nearly all were of the opinion that rigid
physical inspection should be conducted
at discharge which should be
certified 10 by council convened for the
purpose and made part of the military
discharge of each soldier.
The total number Of special pension acts
which have b.-cnme Laws fnuua ISL To 1855