The herald., 1893-12-05

completed by August l of that year. II
is also expected that the three gunboate
authorized by the last congress will be
completed within two years.
Since 1886 congress has at each ses-
sion authorized the building of one or
more vessels, and the secretary of the
navy presents an earnest plea for the
continuance of the, plan. He recom-
menda the authorization Off at least one
battle ship sud six torpedo boats.
While am distinctly in favor of con-
sistently purNuing the policy we have
inRugurated OF building up thorough
and efficient navy, | cannot refrain
from the suggestion that congress
should carefully take into account the
number of unfinished vessels on our
hands and the depleted condition of our
treasury in considering the propriety Of
an appropriation at this time to begin
new work. t5s
The method OF employing mechanical
labor at the navy yards through boards
OF labor and making efficiency the sole
test by which laborers are employed
and continued is producing the best
results, and the secretary is earnestly
devoting himself to its development.
Attention is called to the statement in
his report in regard to the workings OF
! the syetem.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The secretary OF the interior has the
supervision OF 30 many important sub
jects that his report is OF especial value
ano interest. The 30th day of June,
1898, there were on the pension rolls
966.O12 names, an increase OF SO, ,944 over
the number on the rolls June 80, 1892.
VI these there were IL widows and
daughters of revolutionary soldiers, SO
survivors OF the war of 1912, 5425 widows
OF soldiers of that war, 2l,5l9
survivors . and widows of soldiers
OF the Mexican war, 1882 sur
vivors and widows OF Indian wars, 284
army nurses and 475,645 survivors and
widows and children OF deceased soldiers
and sailors of the war of the rebellion.
The greater number represents the pen
sloner account OF disabilities and death
resulting from army and navy service.
The number of persons remaining on
the rolls June 80, 1898. who were pen
stoned under the act OF June 81, 1890,
which allows pensions on account of
death and disabilities not chargeable to
the army service was SOL ,555.
The number added to the rolls during
the year was 1854 and the number
dropped was 81, 800. The first payments
on payments allowed during the year
amounted to $33 576, SAC. .98. This in
cludes the areas of accumulations be-
tween the time from which the allow
ance of pension dates and the time of
actually granting the certificate.
Although the law of 1890 permits PEN
Bions for disability not relating to the
military service, yet, as a requisite to
its benefit, disability must exist in
capacitating applicants from the
performance of manual labor to
such degree as to render
them unable to earn q support.
The execution of this law in it's early
stages does not seem to have been in
accord with it's true intention, but to-
ward the close OF the last administra-
tion an authoritative construction was
given to the statute. and since that time
this construction has been followed.
This has had the effect of limiting the
operation OF the law to its intended pur-
pose.
SUSPENDED PENSIONS.
The discovery having been made that
many names had been put upon the
pension roll by means of Wholesale and
gigantic frauds. The commissioner
suspended payments upon a number of
pensions which seem to be fraudulent,
or unauthorized. pending a complete
plete examination, giving notice to the
pensioners in order that they might
have en- opportunity to establish, if
possible, the justice of their claims,
Notwithstanding their apparent inval.
idity. This, l; understand, is a practice
which has for long time prevailed in
the pension BUREAU But after enter
ing supons theeep recent nt4iinvestigatione
the commissioners, modified .this rule
80 as not to allow until after COM
plete examination into the case, inter-
ference with the payment OF a pen
sion apparently not altogether void,
but which merely had been fixed at
rate higher than authorized by the
law. | am unable to understand why
frauds in the pension rolls should not
be exposed and corrected with thor
oughness and vigor. Every name
fraudulently put upon these rolls is
wicked imposition upon the kindly
sentiment in which pensions have
their origin. A fraudulent PEN
sioner has become a bad citizen;
every false oath in support of o
pension has made perjury more common
and false, and undeserving pensioners
rob the people, not only of their
money, but OF the patriotic sentiment
which the survivors of the war who
fought for the preservation of the union
ought to inspire. Thousands of neigh
borhoods have their well-known fradu-
lent pensioners, and recent develop
ments by the bureau establish appalling
conspiracies,. to accomplish pension
frauds. By no means the least wrong
done is to brave and deserving pension
ers who certainly ought not to be con-
demned to such association. Those who
attempt in the line of duty to rectify
these wrongs should not be accused OF
emnity or Indifference to the claims on
honest veterans.
The sum expended on account of PEN
eions for the year ending June 80, 1898,
was $l56, 740, ,467. IA. The commissioner
estimates that $l65, 900, 900 will be re-
quired to pay pensions during the year
ending June 80, 1894.
CONDITION OF THE INDIANS.
The condition Of the Indians and their
ultimate fate are subjects which are
related to sacred duty of the govern
ment and which strongly appeal to the
eeuse or justice and sympathy of our
people. Our Indians number about
l4S,0O0, most of them located on 10l