The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-30
Operations of the Bureau for Fiscal Tear End.
ing June 59-Incrsase of Over $5.000.0O0
in the Amount Paid by the Government.
Origin, Growth and Value of the Seal.
Fishery Business in Alaska Islands.
The Present Session of Congress Likely to
Continue. with Short Recess About Elec-
tion Time-0ther Washington News.
THE PENSION BUREAU.
Figures from the Report for the Fiscal Yes
Ending with the 30th Of June.

Figures from the Report for the Fiscal Yesr
Ending with the 30th of June.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2a-The annual report of
the Commissioner OF Pensions shows that there
were, during the fiscal year ending June 80,
1885, added 10 the pension rolls 60, 252 new
names. the largest annual increase in the histo-
ry of the bureau, making total of 452, 557 PEN
sioners on the rolls at the close of the year. ~
follows 326 S35 invalids; 81, ,92s widows, minor
children, and dependent relatives; 81 revolu-
tionary widows, minor children, and dependent
relatives; 500 survivors OF the war OF 1912; TO-
7S7 widows OF those who served in that war;
$1,000 survivors Of the war with Mexico. aud
5,104 widows of those who served in that war.
The names of 2.O28 previously dropped were re-
stored to the rolls, making an aggregate Of g.
2s0 added during the year. During the same
period 10, $50 were dropped from the rolls on &C.
count of death and various other causes, leav-
ing net increase to the rolls of AZ. $50 names;
1,l66, ,926 pension claims have been fled sincs
1861; and 1920 claims of ell
classes have been allowed since that
date. The amount paid for pensions since 1881
has been s963, ,0s6, 444. Increase OF pension was
granted in As, ,7l6 cases. The aggregate annual
value Of pensions is s56 707, 22l, an increase %
SO. So. SO. The amount OF pensions paid during
the year was S78, 775, ,Se2. an increase over the
previous year of S.. 30S, ,280 The total amouns
disbursed by pension agents for all purposes was
S79, ,646.146 The cost attending such disburss-
ments wac, in the aggregate 50. 262, 524, beingia
penditures OF the bureau. The total amount
expended for all purposes was $50, OBS, ,3S6, being
81 per cent. Of the total estimated gross income
Of the United States government for the period.
The total expenditures OF the government for
the fiscal year 1883 were S267, 924, SOL, so that
tho am cunt expended for and on account Of pen
sions was nearly 81 per cen t. Of the entire out
lay OF the governmeut. There were filed
during the year f.. $40 applications for original
pensions. ii, 7S9 widows, 2 446 dependent moth
ers and !, 6S3 dependent fathers, making total
of 65. 704. The highest number of claims on ac-
count OF the late war was received from Ohio;
Indiana following next, then New YORK and
Pennsylvania, and from Montana, Utah and
South Carolina none wer8 received.
Up to June 30 last &c, PSI claims were filed un-
der the Mexican pension act, 1878 being sur
vivors and 6793 widows. All completed cases
of this class, l6,529 survivors and B. .l95 widows
cases. have been allowed The reflections were
1921 survivors and COL widows claims, mainly
because tho applicant had n,t arrived at the re-
quired age OF sixty 1.-TWO years OF these Mezi-
can claims but 1882 were unsettled on tbs goth
Of June, the evidences flied being insofieient
The spirit OF the law division OF the bureau,
Gays the report, is "ro compromise with those
who willfully violate the pension law, aud no
prosecution Of those who sinned through igno-
rance and who are willing to make restitution
when the same 10 demaded of them"
Over IS PEI cent. Of all pensioners are
paid by pension agents within ten days after
the quarterly payment is due. and payments
cannot be made more rapidly without multiply
ing the agencies. One hundred thousand cases
of increase Of pension under recent legislation
have been settled without expense or delay to
the pensioners. The Commissioners states that
he sent copies OF his annual report for 1887 20
the commanders OF the various military depart
ments Of the United States with q request that.
after examination, they would submit suggesr
tions looking to improvements IN existing laws,
which action was earnestly approved by the
President. A majority Of these officers ex-
pressed the opinion that the present pension
laws are amply sufficient for every emergency,
and nearly all were OF the opinion that a rigid
physical examination should be conducted at
discharge, which should be certified to by q
council convened for the purpose. and made
part Of the military history of each soldier.
The total number of special pension acts
which have been become laws from 1861 TO 1855
is 001, and from 1885 to 1883, during the pres
ent administration, 1.369-a total OF 3. $40. OF
the latter. l91 were vetoed for reasons fully set
forth in the Presidents messages made public
from time to time. In the fiscal years from
July l, 1882, to July 80, 1885. there were issued
19l 22l certificates of all classes and during the
three following fiscal years, from July j, 1885.
to June 80, SIS, 359. 537, making an increase for
the last three years OF les, ,3l6 certificates.