The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-25

enlOlcu on the pension lists.
Greater precautions were taken in the
mastering out process OF the volunteer
army I'm 1898 and 1899 than ever before
to guard against Just the condition that
is now threatening the pension bureau.
Wherever IL was practicable surgeons of
the regular a~~y we're detailed 10 make
the examination OF the men mustered out.
and those surgeons were extremely care
full TO state the exact physical condition
OF the men examined with the view of
preventing n too ready and indiscrimnate
resort by discharged soldiers to the usual
methods OF pension seekers.
MANY AFTER PENSIONS.
But II appears from the number of
claims already made that a greater pro-
portion OF the men who wore the uniform
OF the army between the spring OF 1895
and the summer OF 1901 has determined
To ask the government for life pension
for the service rendered than OF any 9th
er army ever raised by the United States
In the last annual report he made before
he was forced out of the pension COM
missonersbip Mr.. Evans observed that
at the close of the year 1872 eleven years
after the beginning OF the Civil war and
seven years after Its close) only about
six per cent. OF the soldiers who served
In the Union army had filed CLAIMS for
impaired health or disability res ilting
from their period OF service"
More than two-thirds OF the men enlist
ei for the Spanish war were mustered
cut in the fall OF 1898. Very few OF tbs
number saw any actual service. \ few
volunteer regiments participated I'm the
Santiago campaign with Shafter. and
only one OF these-the presidents Roug
Riders-had the chance TO do ang hard
lighting. The volunteer organizations
tat were kept I'm the service at.er the
Paris treaty OF peace was agreed 10 in
December. 1895 were sent to Cuba and
Puerto Rico for garrison duty. This SER
vice kept them on the army rolls dntil
tn, spring and summer OF 1872
A few OF the volunteer regiments were
lucky enough 10 be assigned to the Phil
ippines I'm the early stages OF hos,ilitles.
and they saw hard service f)r more than
a year 1t seems that smaller pTopor-
tiot OF these man have applied FOR PEN
sons than OF tn Jse who never got out
of the camps OF instruction In this coun-
try or who went TO Cuba and Puerto
Rico when the war was OYER II 10 gar
ris )n duty. This statement Is based upon
Commissioners Wares figures as 10 the
famous Twentieth Kansas-Gen. Fred
erick Funstons regiment. Up To May
pensions had been granted TO 1i2 OF the
men who forded rivers and fought In the
swamps OF Luzon with Funston
In other words about eleven per cent
OF Funston's men are now being carried
upon the pension rolls three years after
they were mustered out OF The service.
What proportion the claims allowed
bear to the total number OF applications
made by the men OF the Twentieth Kan
sas. Is not known, since Commissioner
Ware has not yet classified the claims
by regiments. II may be that even a
greater proportion of Funston's regiment
have asked 10 be pensioned than appear
from the brief statement prepared by
Mr. Ware.
MEN WHO FOUGHT.
The impression at the pension bureau,
however. IL that the percentage OF men
who saw hard service In the brief war
with Spain. and who have applied for
pensions. is much smaller than OF those
who were not called upon To do fighting
or other severe duty. Twenty-Five wild
ows and dependents OF the soldiers Of the
Twentieth Kansas are already being
carried on the pension rolls, and many
other applications OF similar class from
that organization are now on file at the
pension bureau.
Commissioner Wares annual report
make an interesting exhibit OF expendi-
lures by the government on account Of
pensions, which shows that the Spanish
war veterans seem determined 10 dis
tance their forebears I'm the matter Of
claims on Uncle Sans gratitude for mill
tary services. This exhibit shows that
the following amounts have been paid
TO soldiers. their widows minor children.
and dependent relatives on account OF
military and naval service during the
wars I'm which the United States has been
engaged:
Revolutionary War (esti-
mated ..................,........ $1,000. .cno
War OF lsl2....................... 100000
! Indian wars. 1S32-lst2. .......... 5.Soo.Oo1
/ War with Mexico 81 10000
War of the rebellion "a. 900. 900
/ War with Spain. in....,............. 3,215.0o0
Some OF the experts on the pension
/ question contend that these figures show
/ that unless the brakes are speedily and
rigidly applied the governments pension
| expenditures on account OF tho war with
/ Spain ultimately Will equal the enor-