Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1885 — PENSIONS. [ARTICLE]

PENSIONS.

Commissioner Black’s Eeport—Soldiers of 1812 and 1861 on the ListTotal Payments. The annual report of Gen. John C. Black, Commissioner of Pensions, for the year ending June 30, 1885, shows that there were at the close of the year 345,125 pensioners. During the year there were added 35,767 new names and 1,835 reinstatements. Duriiig the same period the name? of 15,233 pensioners were dropped from the roll for various causes, leaving a net increase of 22,369. The average annual value of each pension at the close of the year is shown to be $110.36, and the aggregate annual value of all pensions is $38,090,985 —an increase over like i-alue for the previous year of $3,634,684. The amount paid for pensions during the year is $64,978,435, an increase in. amount over the previous year’’of $8,069,838. The amount paid to 37*839 new pensioners during the year upon first > payments was- $27,115,912, 'and there-re-,' mained ill the hands of the several pension agents 83,§77 of this class unpaid, on which there was due $2,243,567. It is shown that 555,038 claims have been filed on account of disability and 335,295 on account of death alleged to he due jto causes originating in the service, claims for this latter class having been filed by the widow, minor children, or dependent relatives of the soldier. Of the invalid claims 300,204, and of the widows and dependent relatives 220,825, a total of 521,029 claims on account of disability and death; have been allowed. The acts of 1871 and 1878 provided for .a pension on account of service during the war of 1812. Since 1871, 78,500 claims of this class have been fi1ed—34,673 by the surviving soldiers and sailors anil 43,823 by the widows of those who served in the war. Of this number (war of 1812) 59,868 have been a110wed—25,676 to the survivors and 34,192 to the widows. In the aggregate, since 1861, 968,840 claims have been filed, and 580,897 have been allowed. The amount paid for pensions since •1861 is $744,040,541, Out of all army invalid claims filed prior to July 1,~1880, a little more than 66 per cent, have been allowed, and at the close of the present year there remained pending of this class 73,415 claims. The Commissioner suggests that an increased pension should be given in caSes of total deafness and in those cases which in lesser degrees approximate total deafness, and recommends a fating of s3o' for total deafness and proportionate ratings for lesser degrees of this trouble. He also suggestir£ that the benefits of the act of March 3, 1885, be extended to soldiers and sailors who, while in the line of duty, lost an arm above the elbow joint or a leg above the knee joint, and who in consequence thereof have been substantially disabled to the same degree as though amputation had been performed at the shoulder or hip joint. *' Gen. -Black calls attention to the widespread feeling that the limitation imposed by section 2of the act of March 30, 1379, is unjust in its operations, If n soldier was entitled to a pension at any time prior to the first day of July, 1880, no good reason is known to exist why he should not now be allowed - to make, proof thereof. Regarding fraudulent and illegal claims, the Commissioner says' extended inquiries are being prosecuted with a view to purging the pension rolls of the various agencies of the names of those fraudulently and illegally borne thereon, and great success is attending the work. At the same time the greatest care is exercised not to disturb the rights of any worthy pensioner.