The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-08
THE SALT LAKE HERALD; TUESDAY. DECEMBER ).

occupied by the Uncompahgre Indians.
Every consideration of care for the
public interest and every sensible busi-
ness reason dictate such management
or disposal Of this important source te
public revenue as will except it from
#. the general rules and incidents attend
ing the ordinary disposition Of public
lands and secure to the government a
fair share at least of its advantages in
place OF Its transfer for a nominal sum
10 interested individuals
! l indorSe the recommendation made
by the present secretary of the interior,
as well as his predecessor, that a per-
manent commission, consisting of three
members, one of whom shall be an
army officer, be created to perform the
duties now devolving upon the COM
missioner and assistant commissioner OF
Indian affairs. The management of
the bureau involves such numerous
and diverse details and the advantages
of an uninterrupted policy are so ap-
parent that l hope the change sug-
gested will meet the approval Of the
congress.
THE PENSION ROLL
The diminution of our enormous pen
sion roll and the decrease of pension
expenditures. which have been so often
confidently foretold, still fail in ma
4
sioners on the rolls at the close of the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1896, was
97O,67S.
This is the largest number ever re-
ported. The amount paid exclusively
for the pensions during the year was
S1SS, PA, 1914, a slight decrease from
that Of the preceding year, while the
total expenditures on account of PEN
sions, including the cost of maintain
ing the department and expenses at
tending the pension distributions,
amounted to s142, 2O6, 550.59 or within a
very small fraction of one-third of the
entire expenses of supporting the gov
eminent during the same year. The
number of new pension certificates is
sued was 80, $40. Of these, 40,374 repre-
sent original allowances of claims and
1888 increase of existing pensions.
The number of persons receiving pen
sions from the United States, out re-
siding in foreign countries at the close
of the last fiscal year, was 3lS1, and
the amount paid to them during the
year was S5S2, 1886. SO. The sum appro-
priated for the payment of pensions
for the current fiscal year ending June
80, 1897, is $14O 600, 900, and for the sue
ceeding year it is estimated that the
same amount will be necessary.
VIOLATIONS OF PENSION LAWS.
The commissioner of pensions re-
ports that during the last fiscal year
339 indictments were found against
violators OF the pension laws. Upon
these indictments 167 convictions re-
suited.
In my opinion, based upon such
statements as these and much other
information and observation, the
abuses which have been allowed to
creep into our pensions have done in
calculable harm in demoraliZing our
people and undermining good citizen
ship. I have endeavored within my
sphere of official duty to protect our
pension law and make it what it should
be, a roll of honor, containing the
names OF those disa bled in their coun-
trys service and worthy of their coun
try's affectionate remembrance.
When have seen those who pose as
the soldiers friends active and alert in
urging greater laXity and more reckless
pension expenditures, while nursing
selfish schemes, I have deprecated the
approach of a situation when neces-
sary retrenchment and enforced econ
omy may lead TO an attack upon pen
sion abuses. so determined as TO over
look the discrimination due to those
who, worthy of a nations care, ought
to live and die under the protection
Oh q ndllOn
PACIFIC ROADS DEBT.
The secretary calls attention to the
public interests involved in an adjust
ment of the obligations of the Pacific
railroads to the government. l deem it
TO be an important duty to especially
urge this subject to the consideration
of the congress. IN
On January 1. 1897, with the amount
already matured, more than $4,000, 600
of the principal of the subsidy bonds
issued by the United States-in aid of
the construction of the Union Pacific
railway, including it's Kansas line, and
more than $4,000, 600 of like bonds issued
in aid of the Central Pacific railroad,
including those issued to the Southern
Pacific railroad company, will have
fallen due and been paid, or must, on
that day be paid by the government.
Without any reference to the apDlica-
ton OF the sinking fund now in the
treasury, this will create such a default
on the part of these companies to the
government as will give it the right to
at once institute proceedings to fore
close its mortgage lien. In addition to
this Indebtedness il will be due Jan
uary 1, 1897, there will mature between
that date and January l. 1899, the re-
naming principal of such subsidy
bonds. which must also be met by the
government. These amount to more
than So, 100000 on account of the Union
Pacific lines. and exceed S21, 600 600 on
account of the Central Pacific lines
The situation of these roads and the
condition of their Indebtedness to the
government have been fully set forth
in the reports of various committees
to the present and prior congresses
and rs early as 1887 We're thoroughly
examined by a special commission ap-
pointed pursuant to an act of congress.
The consideration requiring an adjust
ment of the governments relations to
the comDany's, have been clearly pre-
sented and the conclusion reached with
practical uniformity, that if these-re-
lationS are not terminated they should
be revised upon basis securing their
safe continuance.
Under section of the act of con-
gress passed March 3, 1887, the presi-
dent is charged with the duty, IL the
event that any mortgage or other in
cumbrance paramount to the interest
of the United States in the property of
the Pacific railroads shall exist and be
lawfully Liable to be enforced, to direct
the action of the departments of treas
ury and Of justice in the protection of
the interest of the United States by
redemption through judicial proceed
ings, including foreclosure of the gov
eminent liens. In view CT the fact that
the congress has for a number of
years almost constantly had under
consideration various plans for deal
ing with the conditions existing be-
tween these roads and the govern
ment, I have thus far felt justified in
Withholding action under the statute
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