Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-12-09


promI tly and directly everywhere, and con-
stantly operating by preventive means TO
shield our country from the invasion of dis
ease, and at the same time having due re-
gard to the rights and duties OF local agen-
cies. would, believe, add greatly to the
safety OF our people.
WORK OF THE ARMY.
The Secretary OF War reports that the
strength OF the army on the 30th day OF Sep
tenber last was %, 77s enlisted men and 2l4I
officers.
Neither Indian outbreaks nor domestic vlo
lence have called the army into service dur
ing the year, and the only active military
duty required OF 1t has been In the Depart
ment OF Texas. whore violations OF the neu-
trality laws OF the United States and Mexico
were promptly and efficiently dealt with by
the troops, elicitng 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 the Postoffice Department during the last
fiscal 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 busl-
ness OF the country, and depression in finan-
cial affairs inevitably and quickly reduces
the postal revenues Therefore a larger
| discrepancy than usual between the posto1lce
receipts and expenditures is the expected
aud unavoidable result OF the distressing
| stringcncy which has prevailed throughout
the country during much otthetime covered
by the Postmaster Generals report.
! desire to commend as especially worthy
| OF prompt attention the suggestIOn OF the
! Postmaster General relating to more sensi-
/ 4. iI-n upiy yut and n
better distribution OF responsibility In his
| department
THE NAVY.
| The report OF the Secretary OF the Navy
contains "A history of the operations OF his
department during the past year, and ex-
| hlhits most gratifying condition OF the per-
sonnel OF our navy. He presents satisiac-
tory account OF the progress which has been
made in the construction Of vessels, and
! makes n number OF recommendations to
| which attention is especially invited.
Progress in the construction Of new vessels
! has not been rs rapid hs was anticipated.
| There have been DELAYS in the completion Of
! unarmored vessels, hut for the most part they
| have been such as are constantly occurring
even in countries having the largest expert
ence in naval ship-building. The most serious
delays, however. have been in the work upon
armored ships. The trouble has been the fall
ure OF contractors to deliver armOr rs agreed.
The difficulties seem now, however, TO have
been all overcome, and armor is being deliv-
cred with satisfactory promptness. As re-
suit 0f the experience acquired by ship
builders and designers and material men, II is
believed that the dates when vessels will be
completed can now be estimated with reason-
able arcuracy. Great guns, rapid-nrc guns,
torpcdoes and powder are being promptly
supplied.
While am distinctly in favor OF consis-
tently pursuing the policy we have inAugu-
rated OF building up 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 al this time to begin new work.
PENSIONS.
The Secretary OF the Interior has the sup
ervision of 80 many important subjects that
his report is Of especial value and interest
On the S0tn day OF June, 1898, there were
on the pension rolls 9G6.0l2 names an in
crease OF 80 9A over the number on the rolls
June 80. 1892. OF these there were seventeen
widows and daughters OF Revolutionary
soldiers. eighty-siK SURVIVORS Of the War OF
1912, 5425 widows OF soldiers OF that war,
2l5l9 survivors and widows OF ths
Mexican war 1882 survivors and
widows of Indian wars, 2S4 army
nurses. and 475, 645 survivors, and widows
and children OF deceased soldiers and
sailors OF the Rebellion. The latter number
| represents those pensioncd on account OF
disabilities or death resulting from army
and navy service. The number OF persons
remaining on the rolls June 30, 1893, who
were pcnsioned under the act of June q,
1890, which allows pensions on account Of
death and disability not chargcable to army
service. was 459. 1876.
The number added to the rolls during the
year WAS l23. .634 and ts- number dropped
was $500. The first payments on pensions
allowed during the year amounted TO 1884,
756, ,549. 9s This includes arrears, or tho
accumulation between the time from which
the allowance Of pension dates and the time
OF actually grautingthe c"rih cate.
Although the law OF 1890 permits pensions
for disabilities not related to military service,
yet as q requisite to its benefits II disability
must exist incapac!tating applicants IRON
the performance OF manual labor to such a
degree AS to render them unable to earn a
support 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-
rtative 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 tho 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 n number OF pensions which
seemed to be fraudulent or unauthorized
pending a complete examination, giving no
tice to the pensioners In order that they
might have an opportunity to establish, 1
possible, the Justice of their claims notwith.
standing apparent lnvaidity.
This, understand, Is the prrctice which
: has for long time prevailed In the Pension
: Bureau but after entering upon these recen
: Investigations the Commissioner modified
this rule so rs not TO allow, until after a com
plete examination, Interference with the pay
8 ment of IA pension apparently not altogethe
= void, but which merely had been fixed at
! rate higher than that authorized by law.
am unable to understand why frauds IL
the pens ion rolls should not be exposed anC
corrected with thoroughness and vigor
Every name fraudenty put upon these roll
Is a wicked imposition upon the kindly sen
i timent in which pensions have their origin
: every fraudulent pensioner has become ba
j, citizen every false oath in support OF pen
o sion has made perjury moro common an
0 false and undeserving pensioners rob tn
= people not only of their money, bu
= of the patriotic sentiment which the sur
: vivors OF war, fought for tho proservatio
t OF the Union, ought to inspire. Thousand
& OF neighborhoods have their well-know
fraudulent pensioners, and recent develor
d ments by the bureau establish appalling cor
d spiraoies to accomplish pension frauds. d
/ no means the least wrong done Is to BRAY
d and deserving pensioners, who certHnl
: ought not to be condemned to such associt
Q tion.
4 Those who attempt in the line Of duty t
y rectify these wrongs should not be accuse
OF enmity or Indifference 10 the claims {
honest veterans.
The sum expended on account Uf pension
:, for the ycar ending June 30, 1893, was 1856
q TAO. ACT. Ia.
u The Commissioner estimates that $165
000,O 900 will be required to pay pension
= a during the year ending June so, 1894
" THE HEINDTANs.
J. The condition of the Indians and their u
A | Fat e,,hi taJ