The morning times., 1896-09-22

Commissioner OF Pensions Dominic 1gna-
tins Murphy, in his annual report on The
operations OF the Pension Bureau, shows
that IN 37I new pensioners were added;
3.s,3 restored who had bcen previously
dropped, makinga total of 44,274; the losses
for various reasons aggregated S44 ,093.
The whole number of pensioners on the
rolls June so, 1896, was STO,6IS. The
commissioner states that it may now be
safely assumed thai the roll from this time
nm will show q steady diniinution unless
Congress should enact Still more liberal
proyIsious The rate Of mortality OF the
pensioners, particularly those who served
through the war Of the rebellion, is rap
idly increasing. DiSallowanccs of pensions
during the y.ar-aILounted TO 81 ,2S0, most
of them being applications for increases
The amount Usbursed was $l3S,2l1'Goo,
a decrease of 81 ,592, 1000.
MIR. MURPHY'S POLICY.
U,nn assuming charge us1he bureau the
commissioner directed that preference
he given ori iriial applications, giving second
place to those whose names were already
ON the rolls and who are seeking additional
pension.
The business OF the office has greatly in
creased in correspondence, which delays the
settlement Of Claims, as il requires large
clerical force to answer inquiries. The
amount appropriated for pension payments,
SlIO 900, 1000, was found to be H. ore than
sufficient There was at the close OF the
fiscal year an uncNrenGed balance OF ST.
100, 900.
The commissioner adopts the estimates
of his predecessor, Judge Lochren, Tor
1898, namely, Sl40,oUo, 900 for pensions
and ST .32s coo for other expenses The
payment Of pensioners in check the COM
Iuissouer thinks, is better than payment
in person.
PENSIONS PAYABLE ABROAD.
In regard 10 pensions payable in Ger
many the State department has been asked
for information as To whether anybody
other than a United States CONSUL can ad-
minister oaths in such cases.
Instructions are now being prepared by
the medical rcfepSe, which will insure 10
every pension applicant the benefit OF
the judgment and experience OF three
members of the board of surgeons, except
where the claimant expressly waived his
right and agrees TO an examination by
less number 1t is intended to detail
experts from this division to visit and
instruct the 1,2s6 boards in the country
as To uniformity of examination, in the
construction Of medical certificates, aud
10 prevent errors in rating.
MEXICAN VETERANS.
Inc act oi January D. 1000, hlcrehs"S
from SIS to S12 the pension Of certain
Mexican veterans whose names were then
on the roll, the commissioner says, does
not make any provision for the pension
of others whose names might be subse-
queDtly recorded, and he recommends that
the Sl2 increase he granted TO all Mexi-
can survivors who are totally disabled
and in destitute circumstances.
The commissioner also calls attention
to the fact that there is no statute pru-
vidiDg pension for the widows OF
Officers and soldiers who died from causes
originating in the service prior TO March
a, 1861 during time OF peace. This,
he thinks, is an inequality in the law
which should be remedied by Congress
siunal action. The commissioner strongly
favors the bill now before Congress, Ell
titled an act to codify and arrange the
laws relating to pensions.