Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1880 — Report of the Commissioner of Pensions. [ARTICLE]

Report of the Commissioner of Pensions.

The annual report of the Commissioner of Pensions shows that on the 30tli of June last there were 250,802 persons receiving pensions from the Government. The annual pensions average $lO3, an aggregate for all of $25,917,906. Exclusive oi arrears the payments for the year amounted to $37,046,185, of which $12,468,191 was accrued pension in ne w cases. The total amount paid out for pensions during the year w'as $57,026.!)!)§► Commissioner Bentley estimates it will require upward of $50,000,000 to pay the pensions for the current year. Tho number of cases in which arrears of pensions has been allowed up to Nov. I—date1 —date of report—is 43,917. The average in each case is $560. A table is given showing the number of pensioners borne upon the rolls at the end of each fiscal year from 1861 to 1880 and the amount of money paid out lor pensions each year. The total amount for twenty years is $455,718,505. The Second Auditor, in his annual report, has the following summary as to the condition of the unadjusted claims lor arrears of pension and bounty: The total number of claims remaining on hand June 30.1880, was 29.470—namely : 'rrears of pay and bounty to white soldiers.. .17,164 Additional bounty under the act of July 28, 1866 2,626 Arrears of pay and bounty to colored soldiers.. 6,523 Three months’ extra pay to soldiers who served in the war with Mexico, act Feb. 19, 1879..,. 158 Total .29,479 It will bo observed that comparatively few of the claims for three months’ extra pay t© soldiers of the Mexican war, so far presented, have been allowed. The whole number filed up to June 30, 1880, was 3.966, of which only 167 havo been paid, while 3,633 were rejected, and 158 remain on hand for adjustment. The time for filing claims for additional bounty under the act of July 28,1866, expired on June 30 last. Many claimants do not appear to be aware of thin, although the fact has been repeatedly published. Claims continue to be presented, but, as the accounting officers cannot entertain them, they are at once returned to tlie claimants. Unless the time for filing this class of claims he further extended by Congress I anticipate that the next annual report will show that all have been disposed of.