Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-12-08

TherepOrt of the Postmaster General con-
tains detailed statement OF the operations
OF the PostofIice Department during the last
fiscal year and much interesting information
touching this important branch Of the pub
lie service.
The business of the mails indicates with
absolute certainty the condition o. the bus
ness OF the country. and depression IN inan-
eial affairs inevitably and quickly reduces
tbe postal revenues Therefore a larger
discrepancy than usual between the postoih'e
receipts and expenditures Is the eXpe'te
and unavoidable result OF the distrossin
stringepcy which has prevailed throughout
the country during much OF oithctime coVerel
bv the Postmaster Generals report.
I desire TO commend as especially worthy
OF prompt attention the suggestion ot th'
Postmaster General relating TO a more sensi-
bic and business-likc organization and n
better distribution OF responsibility IN his
department.
THE NAyY.
The report OF the Secretary OF the Navy
contains q history OF the operations OF MS
department during the past year. ana eX-
hibits most gratifying condition OF the per-
sonnel Of our navy. He presents a satislac-
tory account Of the progress which has been
made in the construction Of vessels, AMI
makes number Of recommendations to
which attention is especiallyinyted.
Progress in the construction OF new vesse'
has not been ~ rapid as was anticipated.
There have been delays in the completion Of
unarmored vessels. but for the most part they
have been such as are constantly occurring
even in countries having the largest eXpeT'-
enceinnaval ship-buiIding. The most serious
DELAYS. however. have been in the work upon
armored ships The trouble has been the iai.-
ure Of contractors to deliver armOr as agreed.
The difficulties seem now, however, TO have
been all overcome and armor IA being deliv-
cred with satisfactory prompiness. As re-
suit 0f the experience acquired ny snip
builders and designers and material men. 1t Is
believed that the dates when vessels vii he
completed can now be estimated with reaso2.
able accuracy. Great guns, rapid-ilre guns
torpcdOcs and powder are being promptly
supplied.
While am distinctly in favor Of conss-
tently pursuing the policy We have inaugu-
rate 1 OF building mp thorough and efficient
navy. cannot refrain from the suggestion
that the Congress should carefully take into
account the number OF unfinished vessels on
our hands and the depleted condition OF our
Treasury in considering the proprieiyo of an
appropriation at this time 70 begin new work
PENSIONS.
The Secretary OF the Interior has the sup
crvision OF so many important subjects that
his report is OF especial value and interest
On the 3Otn day Of June. 1898, there wer"
on the pension rolls g66.0l2 names. an in
crease Of SQ.944 over the number on the rolls
June 80. 1892. or these there were seventeen
widows and daughters Of Revolutionary
soldiers. eighty-siX survivors OF the War OF
1912. 5425 widows OF soldiers OF that war,
2f5lS survivors AMI widows oi th"
Mexican war. 3SS2 survivors ani
widows nj Inlian wars, 2Si army
nurses. AMI 1865 survivors. and Widow
and children OF dccclsei soldiers an
sailors of the Rebellion. the latter number
represents those pensiOnei ON account OF
disabilities or death resulting from army
and navy service. The number OF p'rsouf
remaining on the rolls June 30, 1875 who
wero prnsioned under the act OF June =.
1890. which allows pensions on account oi
death and disability not charScable 70 army
service. was l59,15j.
The number added to tho rolls during the
vear was f23.G3i. and tho number droppe
was 80 $50 The first payments on pensions
allowed during the year amounted 10 S3}.-
7j6. .549.gS. This includes arrears, or t1'
accumulation between the time from which
the allowance OF pension dates AMI tn TIM
OF actually granting the certificate.
Although the law Of 1890 permits pensions
for disabilities not related 10 military service.
vet as a requisite 10 its benefits disability
must exist incapacititi applicants IRON
the performance Of manual labor 10 su'i
degree as to render them unable TO earn
support The execution Of this law IN IFS
early stages dOes not seem 10 have n''n lh
accord with its trur intention 5ut towards
the close OF the last almiuislration an autho-
rtaiive construction was given the statute
AMI since that time this construction has been
followed. This has had the effect OF limiting
tho oparation OF the law 10 its intended par
pose. The discovery having been made that
many names hal been put upon the pension
roll bv means Of wholesale and glganif
frauis. the Commissioner suspended pay
ments upon number o. pensions wnlch
seemed to be fraudulent or Unauthorized
pending complete examination, giving no
tice TO the pensioners. in order that they
might have an opportunity 20 establish, II
possible. the justice Of their claims notwth'
standing apparent invalldity.
This. | understand. is the prrctice which
has for a long time prevailed in the Pension
Bureau but after entering upon these recent
Investigations the Commissioner moiiiie
this rule so as not 10 allow. until aitera COM
plete examination. interference with the pay
ment OF pension apparently not altogether
void. but which merely had been fixed at q
rate higher than that authorized by law.
lam unable 10 understand why frauds in
the pension rolls should not be expose nn /
corrected with thoroughnesS and vigor.
Every name fraudently put upon these rolls
is a wicked imposition upon the kindly sen
timent in which pensions have their origin
every fradulen' pensioner has become oal
citizen every false oath in support oi a pen
sion has made perjury more common an
false and undeserving pensioners rob tho
people not only Of their money. bui
OF the patriotic sentiment which the sur
vivors OF war. fought for the preservation
OF the Union. ought 10 inspire. Thousln Is
OF neighbOrhOods have their well-known
fraudulent pensioners. and recent develop
ments by the bureau establish appalling con
spiracies 10 accomplish pension frauds. By
no means the least wrong done Is 10 brave
and deserving pensioners. who certainly
ousai not 10 be condemned TO such assosia-
tion.
Those who attempt in the line OF duty to
rectify these wrongs should not be accused
OF enmity or Indifference TO the claims OF
honest veterans.
The sum expended on account Of pensions
for the year ending June 30 1898, was Sl56,
74O. .467.14.
The Commissioner estimates that Sl65,
900 900 will be required to pay pensions
during the year ending June 80, 1894.
THEINDIANs.
The condition OF the Indians and their ul-
innate fate are subjects which are related tc
a sacred duty OF the Government, and which
strongly appeal to the sense OF justice AMI
the sympathy Of our people.
Our Indians number about 2iS, 900. Most o
them are located on 16l reservations, con
tanning SO. .116. .531 acres OF land. About no.
900 OF these Indians have, to a large degree
adopted civilized customs. Lands in sew
crafty have been allotted to many OF them.
Such allottments have been made TO 10, 000
individuals during the last fiscal year, en-
bracing about 900, 900 acres.
The solution OF the Indian problem de-
pends very largely upon good administra-
tion. The personal fitness OF agents and
their adaptability to the peculiar duty Of car
ing for their wants, Is Of the utmost import
ance
The law providing that, except in especial
cases. army officers shall bo detailed as In
dian agents, it is hoped will prove a success
ful experiment.
There is danger Of great abuses creeping
into the prosecution OF claims for Indian de.
precautions. and l recommend that every
possible safeguard be provided against the
enforcement OF unjust and fictitious claims
Of this description.
FORESTRY AND AgRrcrLrtrRy