Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-08
REFERS TO VARIOUS srnJrcrs
Some Remarks ON Pensions. the Navy.
.Iortiication.. Etc.

The dlminution Of our enormous pen
sion roll and the decrease 81 pension ex-
penditure which have been so often
confidently foretold. siili fail I'm ma
terisl realization. The number OF PEN
sioners on the rolls at the cicsc OF the
fiscal year ended June 20. 1896. Nan
s10.s7s. This Is the largest number ever
reported. The amount paid exclusive
~ for the pensions during the year was
si3S. 21i. 16i.si. a slight decrease from
that of the preceding year. while the
total expenditures on account 81 PEN
sions. including the cost Of maintain
ing the department and expenses at
tending pension distribution amounted
TO SifA206. 5-o.5a. or within n 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.
Gao. OF these. io.31i represent original
allowances OF claims and i5.s7s increase
OF existing pensions.
The number Of persons receiving
pensions from the United States. bat
residing In foreign countries At the
close of the last fiscal year was , Isl.
ana the amount paid 90 them during
the year was $50. 1858 The sum APP
propr!atci for the payment OF pensions
for the current fiscal year ending June
60. 1897. IL Siin.0o9.c00 and for the src-
ceeding year IL Ia estimated that the
same amount will be necessary. TT.
commissioner of pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year 319 indict-
ments were found against violaiors of
the pension laws. Upon these indict-
ments 15I convictions resulted.
In my opinion based upon such state
ments as these and much other infor-
nation and observation. the abuses
| which have been allowed Go creep into
our pension system have done incaicu-
liable harm Ia demoraiiz!Eg our people
and rendering good citizenship. I
| have endeavored within my sphere Of
official duty to protect our pension roll
and make IL what 81 should be. n roll OF
honor. containing the names Of those
disabled In their country's service and
worthy of their couEtry's affectionatc
remembrance.
When I have seen those who pose as
the soldiers friends active and alert in
urging greater laxiiy and more reck-
less pension expenditure. while nursing
selfish schemes. I 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 n nations care ought
to live and die under the protection of
nations gratitude. The secretary
calls attention to the public interests
involved in an adjustment Of the obli-
cations OF the Pacific railroads 20 the
government. ! deem II TO he an inn
portant duty 20 especially present this
subject to the consideration Of the con-
grcss.
The organized militia numbers i2s7g
men. The appropriations for its sup
port by the several states approximate
s. 700 annually and 100000 IL con-
tributed by the federal government
Investigation shows these troops TO lie
usually drilled and inspired with much
military interest. but In many in
81 N m L..
| arms and equipment that a sudden call
TO active duty would find them made
quately prepared for field service.
therefore recommend that prompt
measures be taken TO remedy this con-
dillon and that every encouragement
lie given 20 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 toward the compile
ton Of the scheme adopted for the
erection and armament OF Qualifications
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 energe;icaIly pros
ecuted by the present administration
upon the general lines previously
adopted. the department having seen no
necessity for radical changes In prior
methods under which the work was
found to be progressing in a manner
highly satisfactory. !, has been de-
cided. however. TO provide In every shin
building contract. that the builder
should pay all trial expenses and u
has also been determined to pay no
speed premiums In the future contracts.
Eight new unaSmored cruisers and two