The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-12-15

ervtston OF SO many Important subjects that
his report Is Of especial value and interest.
On the 30th day OF June, 1893, there were
on the pension rolls 96s, ,0l2 names. an in
crease Of 80, 944 over the number on the rolls
June 80, 1892. or these there were seventeen
widows and daughters of Revolutionary
1912, 5425 widows Of soldiers Of that war,
21, ,518 survivors and widows OF the
Mexican war, 1882 survivors and
widows of Indian wars, 284 army
nurses, and 475, GAS survivors, and widows
and children Of deceased soldiers and
represents those pensioned on account OF
disabilities or death resulting from army
and navy service. The number OF persons
remaining on tho rolls June 80, 1893 who
were pensioned under the act Of juno 81,
1890, which allows pensions on account OF
death and disability not chargeable to army
service, was 459, 155.
The number added to tho rolls during tho
year was 123, ,634, and tho number dropped
was 33, 600. The first payments on pensions
allowed during tho year amounted to $685.
756, ,549.9S. This includes arrears or tho
accumulation between the time from which
the allowance OF pension dates and the time
OF actually graSting the certificate.
Although the law Of 1890 parnits pensions
Tor disabilities not related to military service,
yet as u requisite to its benefits u disability
must exist incapacitating applicants "srom
tho performance Of manual labor to such u
degree ;:s to render them unable to earn u
sapport." The execution of this law in its
early stages does not seem to 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
mcnts upon n number OF pensions which
seemed to be fraudulent or unauthorized
pending n complete examination, giving no
tce to tho pensioners, In order that they
might have an opportunity to establish, II
possible, the justice of their claims notwlth-
standing apparent invalidity.
This, understand, is tho prrctice which
has for n long time prevailed In the Pension
Bureau but after entering upon these recent
Investigations the Commissioner modified
this rule so as not to allow, until after 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 to understand why frauds In
tho pension rolls should not be exposed and
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 fraudulent pensioncr has become q baC
citizen every false oath in support Of n pen
sion has made perjury more common anC
false and undeserving pensioners rob the
people not only Of their money, bu
of the patriotic sentiment which the sur
vivors OF war, fought for the preservation
OF the Union. ought to inspire. Thousands
OF neighDorhoods have their well-knowI
fraudulent pensioners. and recent develop
ments by the bureau establish appalling con
spiracies to accomplish pension frauds. b.
no means the least wrong done Is to brave
and deserving pensioners, who certainl,
ought not to be condemned to such ass - ,ia
ton.
Those who attempt in the line OF duty t.
rectify these wrongs should not be accuses
of enmity or indifference 10 the claims o
honest veterans.
The sum expended on account Of pension
for the year ending June 80, 1898, was 1856,
! 740. .467.14.
The Commissioner estimates that S165,
| 600 900 will be required 20 pay prns!oI
during the year ending June 80. 1894.
/ THE EINDIASs.
The condition OF the Indians and their ul
| Innate fate are subjects which are related t
| n sacred duty of the Government whic
| strongly appeal to the tense Of .stice an
| the sympathy Of our people.
Our Indians number about 2iS 900. Most @
| them are located on 161 reservations, con
| tanning SO, 116, 531 acres OF land. About 1l0,
| 900 OF these Indians have, to n large degree
adopted civilized customs. Lands In SO,