The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-12-09
REFERS TO VARIOUS SUBJECTS
Some Remarks on Pensions, the Navy
Qualifications, Etc.

Some Remarks on Pensions. the Navy
FOrtifications, Etc.
The diminution of our enormous PEN
sion roll and the decrease OF pension ex-
penditure which have been so often
confidently foretold, still fail i'm ma
terial realization. The number Of PEN
sioners on the rolls at the close of the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1896. was
970,67S. This is the largest number ever
reported. The amount paid exclusive
ly for the pensions during the year was
$13S, 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 pension distribution amounted
to SAP, 206, $50. 3d. or within very small
fraction of one-third of the entire ex-
pense of supporting the government
during the same year. The number of
new pension certificates issued was 3d.
$40. OF these. 40,374 represent original
allowances of claims and 15,S7S increase
of existing pensions.
The number of persons receiving
pensions from the United States. but
residing in foreign countries at the
close of the last fiscal year was 3.7S1.
and the amount paid to them during
the year was s5S2, 1858. The sum APP
propriated for the payment of pensions
for the current fiscal year ending June
30, 1897. is $40. 900 900. and for the sue
ceeding year il is estimated that the
same amount will be necessary. The
commissioner of pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year 339 indict-
mentS were found against violators of
the pension laws. Upon these indict-
ments 157 convictions resulted.
In my opinion based upon such state
ments as these and much other infor-
nation and observation, the abuses
1T s..eyx
our pension system have done incalcu-
liable harm in demoralizing our people
and rendering good citizenship
have endeavored within my sphere of
official duty to protect our pension roll
and make 1t what ii should be. roll OF
honor, containing the names of those
disabled in their country's service and
worthy of their country's affectionate
remembrance.
When / have seen those who pose as
the soldiers friends active and alert in
urging greater laxity and more reck-
less pension expenditure, while nursing
selfish schemes. ! have deprecated the
approach of a situation when necess-
airy 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 of
ndtlOn lie StCTetdTy
calls attention to the, public interests
involved in an adjustment Of the obli-
cations of the Pacific railroads to the
government. l deem IL to be an i'm
portant duty to especially present this
subject to the consideration of the con-
gress.
The ORGANIZED militia numbers 112.S7s
men. The appropriations for its sup
port by the several states approximate
s., 900 900 annually and $400.0 900 Is con-
tributed by the federal government.
Investigation shows these troops to be
usually drilled and inspired with much
military interest, but I'm many in
stances they are so deficient I'm proper
arms and equipment that a sudden call
to active duty would find them made
quately prepared for field service. /
therefore recommend that prmopt
measures be taken to remedy this con-
dition and that every announcement
be given to this deserving body of un-
paid and voluntary citizen soldiers.
upon wohse assistance we must largely
rely in time of trouble.
During the past year rapid progress
has been made to ward the compile
ton OF the scheme adopted for the
erection and armament of Notifications
along our seacoast. while equal prog
ress has been made in providing the
material for submarine defense In con-
nection with these works. The
experience and results Of the past year
demonstrates that with a continuation
OF present careful methods the cost OF
the remaining work VIII be much less
than the original estimate.
The construction of vessels for our
new navy has been energetically pros
ecuted by the present administration
upon the general lines previously
adoptd. the department having seen no
necessity for radical changes in prior
fah h.s nrlr
found to be progressing in a manner
highly satisfactory. 1t has been de-
cided. however. TO provide in every ship !
building contract that the builder
should pay all trial expenses and IL |
has also been determined to pay no
speed premiums I'm the future contracts |
Eight new unarmored cruisers and two |
new gunboats have also been commits |
stoned. The Iowa, another battleship, |