Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-10-02

Commissioner of Pensions Ware in hin
annual report, predicts that the pension
roll Is not likely to again cross the mill
ion mark, as the highest point was made
year ago. lie suggests that men con.
victed of an infamous crime be deprived
of the right to a pension and recon-
mends cutting off the pensions of women
who marry soldiers after the men have
become pensioners. He places the total
number Of pensioners now on the rolls
at 906,545, of which TBS, 1856 are soldiers
and 267, 1S9 are widows and dependents.
The cost of the pension system per cap
ita of population for 1903, Is given as
Sl.75. The system was the greatest as
a burden to the people of the United
States In 1893, since which time it has
shrunk from 1924 to $1.32 per $1,000
Of taxable wealth, and In ten years, he
says, the burden will cease to be noticed.
Mr.. Ware estimates that the unpension-
cd survivors of the Civil War, exclusive
of deserters is in round numbers 200,-
O00 The great bulk of the roll is as fol-
lows: Civil War, invalids T03, 456, wild
ows 24S,390; Spanish war, invalids $500,
widows 1862; regular establishment, in
valids 9,1T0, widows 2,93S. The roll
shows net loss of 2,901 pensioners dur
ing the year. Out of a total Of 3O4, 500
applications on hand during the year
1870, 100 were admitted and 113,194 re-
jected. The average annual value OF
each pension Is now $133. The annual
value of the Spanish war pension roll
has reached $1,765,310
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The pan-American conference of the
Episcopal bishops, which will convene
in Washington Oct. 10, promises to be
the most important gathering of the
churchmen of that denomination ever
held in the United States. More than
fifty bishops of the American church
will be present and participate in the
discussions. Twelve of the Canadian
bishops have accepted invitations to at
tend, and there will be in addition bish-
ops of several Of the South American ma
tons, notably Brazil Missionary bish-
ops from China, Japan, Hawaii, the Phil
ippine Islands, Africa and the West In
dies will also be present. One of the
subjects most likely to come before the
conference Is the union of the Christian
churches of the world Churchmen are
looking forward to n noteworthy advance
in this direction to be taken by this con-
ference.
The interests of the old soldiers a7e
always we'll cared for by Congress. but
they are certain not to be neglected in
the Fifty-eighth Congress. Although the
Civil War ended over SO years ago there
will be II men in Congress who fought
in it. Forty-seyen fought on the Union
side and 80 served in the Confederate
army. In the Senate there are l3 Union
soldiers and 13 exConfederates. But
in the House, where the representation
is more fairly apportioned, there are "a
Union veterans and IT exConfederatcs.
The Grand Army has declared in favor
Of tho service pension for all Union vet
Grams over 81 years old, and an effort
will be made to pass such bill. But
as any veteran who needs help gets IL
now, regardless of age, there is thought
to be poor prospect Of the success of such
a measure.
When President Roosevelt jumped to
the wharf at Ellis island from the immi-
grafton cutter II. Il. Chamberlain the
other day a powerful gust caught the
skirts of his frock coat and whirled them
against the back of his head. Those
standing behind the President saw stick
ing out of his right hip pocket the handle
of n revolver One of the secret service
men has explained that the President in
variably carries revolver when ne goes
to n public place. The President has
carried pistol ever since he took the
oath Of office after the assassination OF
Mckinley. He has the greatest faith
in the ability of the dozen or more secret
service agents who guard him, but psR
fers to be armed in case of emergency
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At the capitol the positive statement
is made by those engaged in getting the
building in readiness for the assembling
of Congress that the date Of the extra
session has been definitely fixed Tor NOV.
o. Superintendent Elliott Woods has
been ordered to have tie building in com
plete readiness on that date. Uncle Joe"
Cannon is on deck, waiting to get busy.
He has opened his headquarters in tho
appropriations committee room, where
he can keep one eye on the Speakers
chair and at the same time stralgnten
out some of the hold-over details III con-
nection with his former duties as chair
man of the appropriations committee.
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Formal announcement is made that
Representative John IL. hetcnam Oh NeW
York is to succeed Eugene +. Loud as
chairman Of the postoffice committee OF
the House. This committee is expected
to be one of the most important during
the next Congress. as it viii conduct the
investigation of the postal scandals which
it is generally understood Congress will
order.
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All offers of silver bullion for the Phil
ippine coinage were rejected by the
Treasury Department on account OF the
high prices demanded. The offers
amounted to 100000 ounces, and the
prices asked ranged from COPS to 60.5S
cents per ounce.
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Commissioners Richards of the general
land Office has named Nov. 10 next, at 8
a. M, as the date of the opening to set
Element Of the three-quarters OF mill