The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-12-07

tagiovs diseases from foreign ports have In
vested the subject OF National Quarantine
with increased interest. A more general and
harmonious system than now exists, acting
PROMPTLY and directly everywhere, aud con-
stantly operating by preventive means -
shield our country from the invasion OF dis
ease, and at the same timc having due re.
gard TO the rights an duties OF local ngen.
Giles. would. I believe, add greatly 10 thu
safety OF our people.
WORK or rHE AayY.
The Secretary OF War reports that thu
strength OF the army on the 30th day OF Sep
tember last was 25, IT'S enlisted men and 2144
officers.
Neither Indian outbreaks nor domestic yio-
lence have called the army into service dur
ing the year. and the only active military
duty required OF II has been In tho Depart
ment OF Texas. whore violations OF the neu-
trality laws OF the United States and Mexico
were promptly and efficiently dealt with by
tho troops, eliciting the warm approval OF
the civil and military authorities of both
countries.
posrofFIcE DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Postmaster General con-
tains detailed statement OF the operations
OF tho Postoffice Department during the last
hscal 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 OF the bust
ness OF the country, and depression In finan-
cial Affairs inevitably and quickly reduces
tile postal revenues Therefore a larger
discrepancy than usual between the postoffice
receipts and expenditures is the expected
and unavoidable result OF the distressing
stringency which has prevailed throughout
the country during much ofthe time covered
by the Postmaster Generals report
| desire TO commend as especially worthy
OF prompt attention the suggestion OF the
Postmaster General relating TO u more sensi-
BILE and buslness-like organization aud n
better distribution OF responsibility in his
department.
THE NAVY.
The report OF the Secretary Of the Navy
contains n history OF the operations OF his
department during the past year. and ex-
hibits n most gratifying condition OF the per-
sonnel OF our navy. He presents n satisfac-
tory account OF the progress which has been
made in the construction Of vessels. and
makes number OF recommendations 10
which attention Is especially invited.
Progress In the construction OF new vessels
has not been ne rapid rs was anticipated
There have been delays In the completion OF
unarmored vessels, but for the most part they
have been such rs are constantly occurring
even In countries having the largest expert
encein naval ship-building. The most serious
delays, however, have been In the work upon
armored ships. The trouble has been the fail
ure OF contractors TO deliver armor as agreed.
The difficulties seem now. however, TO have
been all overcome, and srmor is being deliv-
cred with satisfactory promptness. As a re-
suit 81 the experience acquired by ship
builders and designers and material men. Il is
believed that the dates when vessels will be
completed can now be estimated with reason
able accuracy. Great guns. rapid-fire guns,
torpedoes and powder are being promptly
supplied.
While am distinctly in favor OF consis-
tently pursuing the policy we have inaugu-
rated OF building up u 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 propriety OF an
appropriation at this time 70 begin new work.
PENSIONS.
The Secretary OF the Interior has the sup
ervision OF so many important subjects that
his report is of especial value and interest.
On the 3Oth day OF June. 1898, there were
on the pension rolls 966,0l2 names. an In
crease of ~. .944 over the number on the rolls
June 80 1892. OF these there were seventeen
widows and daughters OF Revolutint y
soldiers, eighty-stx survivors OF the
lsl4l 6i25 widows OF soldiers OF thai :,
MeThcan war 1892 survivors and
Widows OF Indian wars, 2si army
nurses. and 475,6i5 survivors, and widows
and children of deceased soldiers and
sailors OF the Rebellion. The latter number
represents those pensioned on account OF
disabilities or death resulting from army
md navy service. The number of persons
remaining on the rolls June 80, lS93 who
were pensioned under the act OF June "a.
1890, which allows pensions on account OF
death and disability not chargeable 20 army
service, was 459.l5
The number added TO the rolls during the
year was 1886 and the number dropped
was $500. The first payments on pensions
allowed during the year amounted to S33,-
75G, $40 93. This includes arrears or the
accumulation between the time from which
the allowance OF pension dates and the time
OF actually granting the certificate.
Although the law OF 1890 permits pensions
for disabilities not related 10 military service,
yet as "a requisite to Its benefits u disability
must exist incapacitating applicants "from
the performance OF manual labor to such
degree as TO render them unable to earn a
support" The execution of this law In its
early stages does not seem 10 have been in
accord with its true intention but towards
the close OF the last administration an autho-
ritative 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. 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 pay
ments upon number OF pensions which
seemed TO De raudulent or unauthorized
pending complete examination. giving no
tice TO the pensioners, In order that they
might have an opportunity 10 establish, IL
possible, the justice OF their claims notwith-
standing apparent invalidity.
This, understand, is the prrctice which
has for long time prevailed In the Pension
Bureau but after entering upon these recent
Investigations the Commissioner modified
this rule so as not 10 allow, until after COM
plete examination, interference with the pay
ment OF IA pension apparently not altogether
void but which merely had been fixed at u
rate higher than that authorized by law.
lam unable to understand why frauds I'm
the pension rolls should not be exposed and
corrected with thoroughness and vigor.
a sl.V.