San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-10-16
THE PENSION REPORT.
Number of Names on the Rolls June
80, 1895, Was e7o,e7s.
Amount Paid Out Was SI3s,2I4,OOO, a
Decrease Under Last Year of S1,592,-
OOO-Present Plan of Payment In
Checks Proves satisfactory.

Commissioner of Pensions Dominic
Ignatius Murphy has submitted to the
secretary of the interior his annual re-
port of the operations of the pension
bureau for the fiscal year ended June
so, 1896. 1t shows that 40,374 new pen
sioners were added; 3,S23 restored who
had been previously dropped, making a
total of 44,247; the losses for various
reasons aggregated 44,093. The whole
number of pensioners on the rolls June
80, 1896, was 97O,67S. The commission
er states that it may now be safely as
sumed that the roll from this time on
will show steady diminution unless
congress should enact still more liberal
provisions. The rate of mortality of
the pensioners, particularly those who
served through the war of the rebellion,
is rapidly increasing.
Disallowances of pensions during the
year amounted 10 1880, most of them
being applications for increases. The
amount disbursed was $13s, 900, a
decrease of $1,592, 900.
Upon assuming charge of the bu-
reau the commissioner directed that
preference be given original applicants,
giving second place TO those whose
names were already ON the rolls, arr who
are seeking additional pension.
The business of the Office was great.
~ increased in correspondence, which
delays the settlement of claims, as it
requires large clerical force to an
swer inquiries.
The amount appropriated for pen
sion payments, $14O,OOo,ooo, was found
to be more than sufficient.
There was at the close of the fiscal
year an unexpected balance of $1,79O,-
900.
The commissioner adopts the esti-
mate of his predecessor for 1898, name
ly, $140, 100000 for pensions, and 81 $685.
coo for other expenses.
The payment of pensioners in checks
the commissioner thinks is better than
payment in person.
In regard to pensions payable in
Germany, the state departmenthas been
asked for information as to whether
anybody other than q United States
consul can administer oaths in such
cases.
Instructions are now being pre-
pared by the medical referee, which will
insure every pension applicant the ben
eft of the Judgment and experience of
| three members of the board of surgeons,
except where the claimant expressly
valves his right and agrees to an ex-
animation by less number. 1t is in
tended to detail experts from this di'
vision to visit and instruct the 1885
boards in the country as to uniformity
| of examination in the construction of
medical certificates and to prevent
errors in rating.
The act of January 5, 1898, increasing
SIP, whose names were then on the roll,
does not, the commissioner says, make
any provision for the pensions Of others
whose names might be subsequently re-
corded, and he recommends that the $12
increase be granted to all Mexican
survivors who are totally disabled and
| in destitute circumstances.
The commissioner also calls attention
to the fact that there is no statute pro-
viding q pension to the widows of Off
GERS or soldiers who died from causes
originating in the service prior to March
4, 1861, during the time of peace. This,
he thinks, is an inequality in the law
which should be. remedied by congress
sional action. The commissioner strong
ly favors the bill now before congress
entitled an act to codify and arrange the
laws relating to pensions.