Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-12-04

Il DCA ~ ~ NNl1N ANNNA A-h bNNSAS-S
was ASP 557. OF these there were sO6 sur
vivors OF the war of 1872, TO- S7 widows
of these who served in that war, 10, 1850
soldiers CT the Mexican war and 5, 104 wild
ows of said soldiers. One hundred and
two different rates Of passions are paid to
these bsneficiaries, ranging from s. to
SAG. &c per month. The amount paid for
pensions during the fiscal year was S78,-
S5l. go, being al Increase over the pCeced-
Jog year of s., 309 2oO.22.
The expenses attending the maintenance
and operation Of tie Pension Bureau dur
ing that period was 1868, 524 81, making
the entire expenditure of the bureau SS2,-
OBS. 1861, bsiug 81! par cent. of the
gross income, aud nearly 81 per cent. of
the total expenditures of the government
during the year. l am thoroughly con-
WINGED that our gsneral pension laws should
be revised and adjusted to meet as far as
possible in the light of our experience, all
meritoricu5 csses. The fact that one
hundred and twenty rates OF pensions are
paid cut, can not, in my opinion be made
consistent with Justice to the pe1sioner, or
10 the government, and the numerous
private pension bulls that are passed, pIedi-
Gated upon the impsrfection of general
laws, while they increase in many cases
existing inequality and injustice, lend adj
ditional force to the recommendation for q
revision Of tie general laws on this subject.
THE VETERANS JUST FAME.
The laxity of ideas prevailing among a
large number of our people regarding pen
sions is becoming every day more marked.
The principles upon which they should be
granted are 10 danger of being altogether
ignored, and already psnSiO:s are often
claimed because the applicants are as much
entitled rs other successful applicants,
rather than upon any disability reasonably
attributable to military service. 1.-THE es-
taolishment Of vicious presidents be con-
tinusd, if the granting Of pensions bs rot
! divorced from partisan and other unWor-
thy and irrelevant considerations, and if
| the honorable name Of veteran unfairly be-
comes by these means but another term for
one who constantly clamors for the aid OF
the government, there is danger that iDju-
~ will be done to the fame aad patriotism
of many whom our citizens all delight to
honor, Ard that a prejudice will be aroused
unjust to m%sritorious applicants for pen
sions.
TIL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
cess it's efforts to develop the process, en-
large the results and augment the profits
OF American husbandry. 1t has collected
and distributed pra't.Cal Information, in
trcduced and tested new plants, checked
the spread OF contagious diseases OF farm
animals, resisted the advance Of nOxious
irsecis and destructive fungus growths,
and sought to secure to agricultural labor
the highest reward of effort, and the full
est immunity from !o's. Its records of the
year show that the season OF 1888 has been
one Of medium production. A gen.
erous supply Of the demands of
consumption has been assured, and a sur
plus for expectation, moderate 10 certain
products and tOuutiful in others, will
prove a beueft alike to buyer and grower.
Four years ago it was found that the great
cattle Industry of the country was eldan-
gered, and those eDgsgedin it were alarm
ed at the rapid extension Of the European
lung plague Of pleurc-preumonio. 50
outhrtaS existed in illinois, Nilsson!
Kentucky, and in TeRIsSete animt
fected were held in quarantine
COUNTIES In New York, and from three
four counties in each or the States of New
jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Mary
land. we're ALMOST equally affected.
WITH this great danger upon us and
with the c~OntagiOn already in the chan
nels of commerce., with the enormous
direct and indirect losses already being
caused by it, and when only prompt and
energetic action could be successful, there
were in zone OF these States any laws
authorizing this Department to eradicate
The malady or giving the State o~ftiCisls
power 10 cooperate with 1T for this pur-
yurp;Se. The Department even lacked
to.h the requisite appropriation and su-
thprity. BY securing State cooperation
IN connection with authority from Con
gress the work OF eradication has been
pressed successfully, and this disease has
bsen e~xtirpated from the Western States
and also from the Eastern States, with the
exception of a few restricted areas, which
are sdll under supervision. The danger
has th1s been removed and trade and
commerce have been freed from the vexa-
lions and restrictions which were deemed
necessary iCr q time.