Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-09-23
ROLL CALL SH0RTENS.
Pension Figures Show that the
Ranks of the Old War Heroes
Are Thinning.

Washington, D. c., Sept 21.-Dominic
Murphy, commissioner of pensions, has
made his annual report for the fiscal year
ended June 3d. 1896, to Secretary Fran
els. He says:
year 4O,374 new pensioners, and there were
restored 1878 who had been previously
dropped, total of 44,247; During the sam
period the losses We're 29, 1913 by death ~
1141 by remarriage (widows); 1864 by le
limitation minors) 1852, because of fail,
to claim pension for three years, and 81;
for other causes, an aggregate of A Or.
The net gain over the previous year was
only 154 and it may be now safely assumed
mat the roll from this time forth will show
Il marked and steady diminution, unless
Congress should enact still more liberal pro-
visions 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 increas-
ing, the number reported deceased during
the year far exceeding that of any CORE
spending period in the history of the bureau.
The whole number of pensioners on
the roll June 30. 1896, was 910,67S,
while the rolls show a slight gain in
numbers over the year Immediately pre-
cedlng the amount disbursed for pen
sions was 1924, 761, decrease of
S1.592,o1o as compared with the previ-
Gus year
There were 495,664 pension claims
L,
234. 331 being applications for increases
made by persons now on the rolls.
Although last years estimate Of S140,-
OOO,OOO for pensions was SLIGO, $40
more than was necessary for the past
fiscal year, the commissioner duplicates
that estimate for the next fiscal year,
stating that he believes the adjudication
of many cases will make the full amount
necessary. 1t is his intention to push the
settlement of cases as rapidly as posi-
bic. An estimate of 81 ,22S, $50 is made
for miscellaneous expenses.
The commissioner says the payment by
vouchers has worked satisfactorily and
opposes Il return to personal payments.
Some difficulty has been experienced in
the execution of vouchers in Germany
and the state department has been re-
quested to furnish the bureau informa-
ton as to what persons have authority
to administer Oaths. There are GO1
United States pensioners in Germany.
Regarding the revision of the pension
list, the commissioner says:
There is no foundation for the erroneous
impression that it is the intention still
further to revise the lists, as the purgins
of the rolls commenced in 1893 has been
entirely accomplished. 1t ought to be I'M
derstood, however, that there still exists the
purpose to maintain the pension roll as the
nations roll of honor.
Concerning prosecutions he saws:
Offenders against thep ension laws have
been so vigorously prosecuted during the
past three years that the criminal work of
the law division has been materially less
ened. Through the combined efforts of the
law division and the special examination
division there has been refunded to the
United States during the year 500 9S2. of
which S1O726 were recovered as the out
come of the civil suits. During the year
339 indictments were found and there were
242 recommendations for prosecution. The
number of convictions 167; the num-
Der of sentences $50 and 50 offenders against
the pension laws were taken into custody.
l am glad to state that the rigorous meas
ures instituted by my predecessor have APP
parently discouraged ViOlatOrS of the pen
sion laws and rendered the business of pro-
curing fraudulent pensions unsafe and I'M
profitable.
Commissioner Murphy commends the
work of the special examiners and says
that the additional force of 80 should be
continued. The cost Of this force during
the year was $497, 958. He says the pen
sion building is at present inadequate for
the work and makes some suggestions re-
lative to improvements. He recommends an
increase of 81 per month of pensions to
survivors of the Mexican war and also rec
commends pensions to widows of officers
and soldiers who died from causes originat-
ing in the service prior to March +, 1861.
He recommends the passage of the bill
pending in Congress for the codifcation of
the pension laws.