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

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sfvision s;v OF so many important subjects that
On the 30th day Of June, 1893, there were
on the pension rolls 966 Ola names, an in
crease Of sc, GA over tho number on the rolls
June 30, 1892. or these there were seventeen
widows and daughters of Revolutionary
soldiers. e!ghty-six survivors OF tho War OF
1872, 5425 widows Of soldiers Of that war,
21,51S survivors and widows OF the
Mexican war, 1882 survivors and
widows of Indian wars, 2s4 army
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
and navy service. The number Of persons
remaining on tho rolls June 80, 1893, who
were penstoned under the act of Juno 27,
1890, which allows pensions on account OF
death and disability not chargcablc to army
service, was 459, 1855.
The number added to tho rolls during tho
year was 123, ,634, and tho number dropped
was 33, 800. The first payments on pensions
allowed during tho year amounted to S33,-
756, $40 9S. This includes arrears, or tho
accumulation between the time from which
the allowance of pension dates and tho time
OF actually granting tho certificate.
Although the law Of 1890 permits pensions
for disabilities not related to military service
yet rs II requisite to its benefits u disability
must exist incapactating applicants ";rom
tho performance Of manual labor to such a
degree rs to render them unable to earn Il
support" The execution of this law in its
early stages docs not seem to have been in
accord with its true intention but towards
the close OF the last administration IN autho-
r1tative 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 tho 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 u complete examination, giving no
tice to tho pensioners, in order that they
might have an opportunity to establish, ii
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 to allow, until after COM
plete examination, Interference with the pay
mont OF a pension apparently not altogether
void, but which merely had been fixed at =
rate higher than that authorized by law.
lam unable to understand why frauds In
tho pension rolls should not be exposed AMI
corrected with thoroughness and vigor.
Every namo fraudently put upon these rolls
is wicked imposition upon the kindly sem
tlment IN Wnlcn pensions nave tnelr origin T.,
every fraudulent pensioncr has become bad
citizen; every false oath in support Of n pen
sion has made perjury moro common and
false and undeserving pensioners rob the
people not only of their money, but
OF the patriotic sentiment which the sur
vivors OF n war, fought for the preservation
of tho Union, ought to inspire. Thousands
OF neighborhoods have their well-known
fraudulent pensioners. and recent develop
ments by tne nureau est n blisb onnoIIin1 - c,,p-
spracies to accomplish pension frauds. BY
no means the least wrong done Is to brave
and deserving pensioners, who certainly
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 80, 1898, was 3 S.
FAC, ,467.14.
The Commissioner estimates that $685.
000,0 will be- required to pay pensions
during the year ending June 80, 1894.
THE EINDIANs.
Tho condition of the Indians and their ul-
Innate fate are subjects which arc related to
a sacred duty OF the Government, and which
strongly appeal to the sense OF justice and
the sympathy Of our people.
Our Indians number about 2i8, 900. Most OF
them arc located on 161 reservations, con
tanning SO, 116, ,591 acres OF land. About 110,-
600 of these Indians have, to q large degree
adopted civilized customs. Lands in sew