The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-10-19
Report of the Pension Commissioner.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1S.-The annual report for
the fiscal year 1859 of the commissioner of pen
sions shows there were at the close of the year
4S9, 729 pensioners. There were added to the
rolls during the time named 5l,92l new pension
ers; l,754 were restored to the rolls and 10 .5U1
were dropped from the rolls for various causes
The amount pad for pensions during the year
WAS SSS2Ij ll3; the amount paid Us fees to at
torneys was 81, 1863, 5S3
Since 1861 there have been file1 l,2i6, i46 pen
sion claims of which 1872 l2l have been allowed
the amount dispersed on account Of pensions
since 1861 being Sl,O5&,2lS,4 During the past
fiscal year 1929 certificates were issued, 81
81 being originals. At the close of the year
there were pending and unailowed $4,000 claims
of all classes
The commissioner recommends that Congress
be asked to amend the act of June q, 1874, so as
to extend the benefit of all pension laws to all
pensioners whose pensions were granted by a
special act subsequent to said date, and that
pensions be granted to the widows of soldiers
who died from causes originating in the service
prior to 1861 during time OF peace. He further
recommends that the act of March 3, 1877, be
amended so as to grant pension to those who
having participated in the rebellion, subse-
Quently enlisted in the army or navy OF the
United States and were disabled therein.
The commissioner recommends new legisla
ton to rectify inequalities in the rates, and
cites instances TO show the unfairnesS in the
rates now provided by law. He thinks this
statute should be amended so as to permit the
rate of So per month TO be proportionately d-
vided for all disabilities shown TO be incident to
services and in the line of duty. The
injustice and unfairness caused by the
law of June 16, 1880 limiting the right of
pensioners to receive 81 per month to those who
were receiving $50 per month at the date OF the
law, should be corrected US no provision is
made for graduating the rate to persons totally
helpless On that date, but not receiving $50 at
the time, and none for those who have be
come totally helpless, since that date.
The commissioner proposes TO pension all SOL
ders who were disabled. On this point he says:
LAS the war period recedes from US and age and
its attetdant inlirmities aiict the veterans it is
q serious question whether the government does
him justice in limiting the application of the
pension laws TO those disabilities only which were
contracted in service. l earnestly recommend
that pension be granted to every honorably
discharged soldier and sailor who is now, or who
may be hereafter. disabled without regard TO
whether such disability is chargeable to the ser
vice for the United States, or has been con
tracted since he was discharged therefrom."
The commissioner calls attention to
what he believes to be the manifest
~ insufficient sum of two dollars per
month granted by the act of 1865, to widows for
the care and support Of minor children under
sixteen years of age. The commissioner also
fayors pension for army nurses and makes an
earnest plea in their behalf