The National tribune., 1896-10-01
REPORT ON PENSIONS.
Commissioner Murphy Tells of the Ope,
ations of His Office.


ations of His Office.
Dominic I. Murphy, Commissioner of Pen.
sions, has submitted to Secretary Francis his
first ANIMAL report, which covers the fiscal year
ended June 30. 1896. He says, in part:
- There were added to the rolls during the
year 40,34 new pensioners aud there were
restored 1873 who had been previously
dropped, total of 44,247. During the same
period the losses we're % 1893 by death, LA by
remarriage (widows), 1854 by legal Limitation
(minors), 1852 because of failure to claim pom
an aggregate of 44,093. The net gain over the
previous year was only 154. and it may be now
safely assumed that the roll from this time
forth will show a marked and steady diminu-
ton, unless Congress should enact still more
liberal provisions than are now upon the
statute books. The rate of mortality among
our pensioners. particularly among those who
served during the war of the rebellion, is
rapidly increasing, the number reported de.
creased during the year far exceeding that of
any corresponding period in the history of the
Bureau.
1.-THE whole number of pensioners on the
roll June 30. 1896. was 970,67s. While the rolls
show slight gain in numbers over the wear
Immediately preceding, the amount disbursed
for pensions was $l38. .76l, decrease of
81, 592.575 as compared with the previous year
There were 495, 664 pension claims pending
at the close of the fiscal year, ga 1877 being an
piicatioDs for increases made by persons now
OH the rolls.
Although last years estimate of $40. DOC. 600
for pensions was 81 ."90, $40 more than was neces
sary for the past fiscal year the Com missioner
duplicates that estimate for the next fiscal year
stating that he believes the adjudication Of
many cases will make the full amount neces.
sary. 1t is his intention to push the settlement
OF cases as rapidly as possible An estimate of
81. 226 $40 Is made for miscellaneous expenses /"
The Commissioner says the payment by
vouchers has worked satisfactorily, and opposes
return to personal payments. Some diff
Guilty has been experienced in the execution of
vouchers in Germany, and the State DEPART.
ment has been requested to furnish the Bureau
information as to what persons have authority
to administer oaths. There arc COL United
States pensioners In Germany. Regarding the
revising OF the pension list the Commissioner
says:
There 10 no foundation for the erroneous
impression that it is the intention still further
to revise the lists, as the purging OF the rolls
commenced la 1893 has been entirely ACCOM-
plished. 1t ought to be understood. however.
that there still exists the purpose to maintain
the pension roll as the Nations roll of honor y
Concerning prosecutions he says: "Offend.
ers against the pension laws have been SO Wig.
orously prosecuted during the past three years
that the criminal work OF the Law Division
has been materially lesscned.
Through the combined efforts Of the Law
Division and the Special Examination Division
there has been refunded to the United States
during the year $50. 9S2. of which $l0,726 were
recovered as the outcome of eight civil suita
During the year S39 indictments were found.
and there were PAP recommendations for prose.
cution. The number Of convictions was l67,