The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-25
PENSION STATISTICS.
Figures That Should Make the Thinking
Man Pause and Consider.

Figures That Should Make the Thinking
Man Pause and Consider.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24.-The annual report
of Commissioner Raum, of the pension bu-
reau, submitted to the secretary of the inte-
rior to-day, shows that on June 30, 1891,
there were GIG, 100 pensioners on the rolls,
being an increase of 1885, for the last fis-
cal year. They are classified as follows:
Widows and daughters of revolutionary
soldiers.2 .23; army invalid pensioners, 4l3 59S;
army widows, minor children, ETC., los. 537;
navy invalid pensioners.5 5. 449; navy widows,
minor children, ETC., 2568; survivors of the
war of 1912, 1880; survivors OF the
Mexican war, 16,379; widows Of soldiers
of the Mexican war, 6972. Following are
CLASSES granted under the act Of June 81,
1890: Army invalid pensioners, 81, 1876; army
widows, minor children, etc., II, 209; navy
invalid pensioners, 3.076; navy widows,
minor children. etc., 1,436.
During the last fiscal year payments were
paid up on 131. 100 original claims, amount
inc to Ssl ,ssl, $685. This is an increase in
number over 1890 of 64,b the aggregate
cost, however, being 81, ,Os7, 1902 less. There
were 122, ,521 first payments of every descrip-
tion, requiring $l38, 1862, 274. being. $69,592
less than required for 130,514 first pay
ments mn made o.d during & the last st.. fiscal sa
ments was $239. The average value
Of first payments under the act of June ~.
1880, was ST.. The aggregate annual value
of the GIG, $50 pensions on the roll June 80,
1891, was $S9, ,247, 200; average value of each
pension $139; average value of each pension
under the act of June II, 1880, $121. At
the close OF the fiscal year there were 30, ,574
pensioners on the roll who remained unpaid
for want of time and who were entitled to
receive Sd, PAP, which will be paid out Of
the appropriation for the current fiscal
year, and there remained in the hands Of
tho pension agents the sum of $5, us. .862,
which since has been covered into the
treasury. This amount, added to the
ST., 607. 1888 of the appropriation not drawn.
aggregates $9,320,9S6 OF the appropriation
which was not expended.
There will be deficiency in the appro-
penses of examining surgeons Of about
$500, ,OO0 The total amount disbursed on
account of PENSIONS expenses. ETC.. during
the fiscal year was $1l8, ,548. .959, as COM
pared with $l06, ,493.s90 for the preceding
fiscal year 40 that it appears that 136. PIG
pensions were added to the rolls during the
fiscal year. just closed at an increased cost
to tho nation of S12,055,049 as compared
with the previous year. During
dropped from abe rolls for various
causes, 1920 being dropped by reason of
death. II is estimated that Of the soldiers
of tho late war 1.O04, ,65S were killed in battle
or died during and since the war. On June
80, last, 124, ,75O of these deceased soldiers
were represented on the pension rolls by
widows or other dependants. There are
about 1,20S, 707 soldiers Of the union now
living, 52O. .158 of whom are row on the pen
sion rolls. There are therefore GS8, ,540 sur
vivoys who nre not pensionod, and S79,9Oe
deceased soldiers not represented on the
pension rolls. The commissioner renews
his recommendation Of last year as to the
readjustment of pension ratings under the
acts Of March 8, 1883, and March 4, 1890.