The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-17

believed that during The Winter and spring this
aggregate will be steadily aud largely Increased.
MORE MONEY IN CIRCULATION.
The presence Of large cash surplus in the Treas
my has for many years been the subject of much
unfsrornbc criticism and has furnished an nrs4I-
mcut to those who have desired to place the tariff
upon y purely revenue basis. 10 was agreed BY
AZ thnt TIE withdrawal from circulation % large
an amount Of money was an embarrassment to tie
business % The country, and made necessary tho
intervention OF the Department az frequent inter-
walls TO relieve Threatened monetary pnnics The
surplus on March ., 1850. SSS s2.. 100 %. The
policy Of applying this surplus 20 the redemption
OF the interest bearing securities Of the United
states was thought 70 be preferable TO that Of de-
posting il without interest iu selected National
Banks. There have been redeemed since tha date
last mentioned Of interest bearing securities $3.50
O'9&5O. resulting in reduction Of the annual In
terest charge Of Sll,6St615 The money which had
been deposited in banks without interest has been
gradually Withdrawn and used IN the REDEEM DtiOn
Of bonds
The result Of this policy OF the sllverfegslatlon,
and OF the refund ny Of tho a. per cent bonds has
been large increase Of the money in circulation.
AZ the date last named tho circulation WAS 81 f0t-
oS96, or S2iO3 per capita; while the lst day %
December 1891, it had increased to sl.577 262070.
or s2t3s per capita The offer 81 the Secretary 81
the Treasury TO the holders % tie ~ per cent.
bonds 70 extend tho time of redemption at tho
option Of the Government. at an interest Of per
cent was accepted BY Tho holders Of about one
nail the amount, and the uueNteuded bonds arc
being redeemed on presentation.
OTHER DEPARTMENT..
The work Of the Departments Of War. Just
ice, POstoliice. Navy, and Interior is sketehod
at some length and the Secretaries compli.
mented upon what they have achieved.
PENSIONS.
The administration Of the Pension Bureau has
been characterized during the year by great dill
gence. The total number % pensioners upon ihe
roll the 3Olh day Of June, 1891 was 676 100.
There were allowed during the fiscal year ending
at that time 25O,565 cases. OF this number lO2357
we're allowed under the law Of June o. 1890 Ths,
Issuing OF certificates has been proceeding al the
rate OF about 1900 per month about IS per cent.
Of these being cases under the new law The Com
missioner expresses the opinion that he will %
able to carefully adjudicate and allow 10000
claims during The present fiscal year. The appro-
prlatiOn Tor the pay ment Of pensions for the fiscal
year 1890 81 ST.. $50 793 80 and the amount
expended Sll5. 55O6ie 25, leaving az unexpended
surplus Of 80 ljj, lfL6A
TIE Commissioner is quite confident that there
will DO no call this year Tor deficiency aDpropria-
ton. Notwithstanding the rapidity with which tho
work - being pushed. The mistake which has
been made BY many ia their exaggerated estimates
OF the cost Of pensions Il ia not taking account OF
the diminished value OF hrst payments under tho
recent legislation. These payments, under the
general law have been for many years very large,
as the pensions when allowed dated from the
time OF dlIug the claim, and most Of these claims
had been pending for years The first payments
under the law Of June, 1890 are relatively small,
aud as the per cent. OF these cases increases and
tnat Of the old caes diminishes the annual aggre-
gate OF nrst payments - largely reduced The
Commissioned, under date Of Nov rs furnishes mo
with the abatement that during Inc last four months
ll3,l75 certificates were issued. u 800 under the
general law and s. 252 under the act Of June o.
1880. The average first payment during these four
months WAS Sl3l.5j. while the average first pay
ment upon cases allowed during the year ending
June 90 1891, $50 80. being reduction "a tho
ayeTnge first payments during these four months
Of SlO74S.
The estimate for pension expenditures for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1893 Il STA 956 600.
which, after n careful examination Of the subject
the Commissioner is Of the opinion will DO sufh-
cieut. While these disbursements 70 the disabled
soldiers Of tie great civil large, they do not
realize the exaggerated estimates of those who
oppose this benefcient legislation The Secretary
OF the Interior shows with great fuiiHess the care
that - taken TO exclude fraudulent claims, and
also the gratifying fact that the persons 10 whom
these pensions are going are men who rendered,
not slight, but substantial war service.
The Department Of Agriculture is highly
/ complimented upon its success in securing an
enlarged market for our farm products.
The urgent recommendation TO Congress to
make provisions for the protection Of the lives
and limbs Of railroad men is urgently renewed.
! The Michigan plan of electing Presidential
electors by districts is strOnly condemned, and
the Importance Of fair elections is dWeit upon
with force and at some lenth.
The message concludes:
have been greatly FejOiced to notice many evi-
deuce5 Of the increased unifcatOn OF our people
and of revived NgtiOnal spirit. The vista that
now opens to Us is wider and more glorious than
ever before. Qualification and amazemsnt stFug-
gle for supremacy contemplate the pOpula-
ton, wealth. and moral strength of our country.
trust, mOmeutous in its influences upon QUE peO-
pie aud upon the world Is for brief time COM
mitted to us and we must not be fsithless To ITS
first oOnditiOn-the defense OF the freesand equal
influences OF She people In the choice of public Ott
rs IA N truI Bf nfll ig a siFa