The record-union., 1893-12-05

covery 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 unauthor-
lied, pending a complete examination,
giving notice to the pensioners In order
that they might have an opportunity to
establish, If possible, the justice OF their
claims Notwithstanding apparent invalid
lty. This, l understand, Is the practice
which has for a 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 complete exam
ination into, interference with the pay
ment of a pension apparently not alto
gether void but which merely had been
fixed at rate higher than that author
lied by the law.
PENSION FRAUDS.
81 am unable to understand why frauds
in the pension rolls should not be ex-
posed and corrected with thoroughness
and vigor. Every name fraudulently put
upon these rolls IS a wicked imposition
upon the kindly sentiment in which PEN
sions have their origin. Every fraudulent
pensioner has become bad citizen;
every false oath in support of a 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 sur
vivors of the war fought for the preServa-
ton of the Union ought to inspire. Thou
sands of neighborhoods have their we'll
known fraudulent pensioners, and recent
developments by the bureau establish ap-
palling cOnspiracies to accomplish PEN
sion frauds. By no means the least
wrong done is to brave and deserving
pensioners who certainly ought not to be
condemned to such association.
Those who attempt in the line of duty
to rectify these wrongs should not be ac
cused OF enmity and Indifference to the
claims Of honest veterans. The sum ex-
pended on account of pensions for the
year ending June 80, 1898, was Sl56, 740,
467 IA. The Commissioner estimates that
Sl65, 100000 will be required to pay pen
sions during the year ending June 30,
1894.
THE INDIANS.
1.-THE conditions of the Indians and their
ultimate fate are subjects which are re-
lated TO a sacred duty OF the Government
and which strongly appeal to the sense or
justice and the sympathy of our people.
"Our Indians number about 24S000,
most of them relocated on l6l reserva-
tions, containing So. 1881 acres OF land.
About 10000 OF these Indians have, to
The law providing that, except in spe
cial cases. army officers shall be detailed
as Indian Agents, ii is hoped will prove
successful experiment There is danger
Of great abuses creeping into the prosecu-
ton of claims for Indian depredations,
and L recommend that every possible
safeguard be provided against the en-
forcement of unjust and fictitious claims
Of this description. The appropriations
on account of the Indian Bureau for the
year ending June 80, 1894. amount to
81, ,954,9 962 ga decrease, as compared
with the year preceding it, of S3S7, l3l 95."
PUBLIC LANDS.
1.-THE vast area of land which but a short
time ago constituted the public domain is
rapidly falling into private hands. 1t is
certain that in that transfer the benefcent
intention of the Government to supply
from it's domains homes to the indus
trious and worthy homesteaders is often
frustrated through the speculator, who
stands with extortionate purpose between
the Land Office and those who with their
families are invited by the Government
to settle on the public lands. He is
despicable character who ought not to be
tolerated, yet it is difficult to thwart his
schemes"
The recommendations of the Secretary
in regard to opening up public lands TO
PRESERVATION OF FORESTS.
Il respectfully commend to the atten-
ton of Congress the statement contained
in the Secretary's report concerning for
estry. The time has come when efficient
measures should be taken tor the preseTv-
alton Of our forests from indIScriminate
and remediless destruction.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The report of the Secretary of Agri-
culture will be found exceedingly inter-
esting and especially TO that large part of
our citizens intimately concerned in ag-
ricultGral occupation. On the 9TH day
of March, 1893, there were upon it's pay
rolls 2,430 employees. This number has
been reduced to 1850 persons. During
the first quarter of the present year the
expenses Of the department aggregated
S355, $40 rs, as against S402, ,021 ~ for the
corresponding period of the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1898.
CATTLE DISEASES.
The regulations iof 1892 concerning
Texas fever have been enforced during
the last year and the largest stockyards
of the country have been kept free from
infection. Occasionally local outbreaks
have been largely etfeetuaIly guarded
against by the owners of the affected cat
tie While contagious pleuro-pneumoni
in cattle has been eradicated, animal
tuberculis, a disease widespread and
more dangerous to human life than
pleuro-pneumonia, is still prevalent.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
The exports of agricultural products
from the United States for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1892, attained the enor-
nous figure of $500, 100000 in round num-
bers, being 1871 per cent. of our total eX-
ports In the last fiscal year this aggre-
rr,,t, hr,f
less reached S650000,000, being 75.l per
cent of all American commodities ex-
ported.
A review of our agricultural exports,
with special reference to their distinction
will show that in almost overy line the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland absorbs by far the largest proper
ton of cattle, the total exports aggregat-
ing in value for the fiscal year ending
June 80. 1898, SIG. .000.000, of which Great
Britain took considerable over S25, 600, 900
of beef products of all kinds. Our total
exports were SIS, 600 009, of which Great
Britain took S24, 900, 600.
OF pork products the total exports were
S84, 100000, of which Great Britain took
S53, 100000. In breadstutfs, cotton and
minor products like proportions TO the
same destination are shown.
CIVIL SERVICE.
Inc continued intelligent execution OF
the Civil Service law and the increasing
approval by the people of its operation
are most gratifying. The recent extern
sion of its limitations and regulations to
the employees at free delivery postoffices
is an immensely important advance in
the usefulness of the system. / am more
than ever convinced of the incalculable
benefits conferred by the Civil Service
law, not only in its effect upon the public
Salvlap bus also what iS 1VnO mora inn
portant in its effect in elevatlng the tone
of political life generally.
ECONOMY SHOULD BE ENFORCED.