ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

Commissioner of

Soldiers' Claims

TO THE

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OHIO

FOR THE

Year Ending Dec. 31, 1904.

Vol. I. 26 Ex. d.

SIR-I have the honor to herewith transmit the report of this Department for the year ending December 31, 1904.

The number of claims filed in the different Government Departments during the year were 1261. Of this number, 1244 were claims for pension and 17 for bounties and extra pay. Claims granted during the year 663, as follows:

The total amount of the annual payments on claims granted during the year was $105,000.00, which includes bounty, extra pay and back pay claims.

In all claims filed, blanks and letters of instructions are furnished and many of the affidavits are prepared and written up in the Department and

forwarded to claimants. A large number of claims rejected years ago have been re-opened and successfully prosecuted, thus collecting large sums in claims that had been abandoned. More than twelve thousand letters have been received and answered during the year and many hundred claims, not filed through this Department, have been called up in the different departments by request of claimants asking for status.

OPENING OF THE SIOUX INDIAN LANDS OF THE ROSEBUD RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

In July, 1904, the President issued a proclamation providing for making homestead entries and settlement on lands in the Rosebud Reservation, in South Dakota, ceded to the United States by the Sioux Indians. In the opening of the reservation, the advantage given soldiers under the law was that it allowed them to file declarations upon certain sections and gave them six months time to settle on the land after filing and the land was held for them during that period. The soldier's service in the army was credited on the five years' residence required of all settlers, and if he served three years it would take but two years to complete his title.

This Department took the matter up at once in the interest of Ohio soldiers, by correspondence with the Commissioner of the General Land Office at Washington. A large number of copies of the President's proclamation were then procured and circulated for the information of exsoldiers, with several hundred blanks for filing declarations for said homesteads and many claims were filed by ex-soldiers residing in Ohio, to whom lands were allotted.

OHIO LAWS, RELATING TO SOLDIERS' HOME, SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' ORPHANS' HOME, BOUNTIES

AND MEMORIALS.

Many inquiries are received at this Department regarding the provisions of State laws, enacted by the Ohio Legislature for the benefit of ex-soldiers. In order that these inquiries might be answered intelligently, this Department had all such laws passed by the Legislature, both during and since the Civil War, carefully compiled and published in pamphlet. form for the especial benefit of ex-soldiers. This pamphlet has been largely distributed through Grand Army Posts and other ex-soldier organizations throughout the State, and has met with a cordial response of commendation. A printed copy of these laws is herewith attached for your information.

When a law is enacted by Congress or a ruling is made by the Pension Department, Treasury Department or War Department pertaining to the benefit of ex-soldiers of any of our wars, a circular of information is issued at once by this Department and distributed through G. A. R.

Posts and Associations of Foreign War Service,-copies of which are attached.

This Department is an "information bureau" for all inquiries relating to any of our wars, from the Revolution to the Spanish War and it is the aim of the Department to answer all of these inquiries promptly. Many of the inquiries require careful examination of many records for the required data. The Department is well equipped with reference books relating to war statistics, records of the Rebellion with rosters of all Ohio organizations and many other books pertaining to military matters. A library numbering about two hundred volumes.

The business of the Department has increased largely during the past year and claims filed and pending in the different departments of the government number upward of four thousand. The large number of claims successfully prosecuted and the amounts collected are the best evidence that the business of the Department will continue to increase. In addition: to the prosecution of all kinds of claims against the Government, a great deal of other business has been transacted in preparing applications for disabled soldiers for admission to the different Soldiers' Homes and admission of children to the Soldiers' & Sailors' Orphans' Home at Xenia; ordering tablets for marking soldiers' graves and many other matters pertaining to soldiers' relief and burial funds.

While the applications for pensions by ex-soldiers of the war of the Rebellion are decreasing, yet there is an increase in the number of claims filed by widows. As Ohio furnished about 15,000 soldiers for the Volunteer Service during the Spanish War and a large number for the Regular Army or the U. S. Volunteers for the Philippine Service, many of whom were disabled, this is adding largely to the business of the Department.

In line with your expressed desire that this Department should use every means possible under a liberal interpretation of the law for the benefit of ex-soldiers, their widows and orphans in prosecuting claims against. the government, it is gratifying to report so large an increase in allowances, hoping that the result will meet with your approval.

It is also gratifying to report that your suggestion made in an addressdelivered at a soldiers' reunion a short time ago, that you "hoped to see the day when the great State of Ohio would erect at the State Capital a magnificent monument to commemorate the deeds of valor of her soldiers. of all wars," has met with a responsive echo from ex-soldiers in all sections of the country. Of the 313,000 soldiers enlisted in Ohio during the war of the Rebellion about 70,000 survivors are still rseiding in the State. A few Mexican War veterans still survive with several thousand ex-soldiers of the Spanish-American War, good and patriotic citizens, all of whom will hail with delight a movement toward the erection of such a monument as you have suggested.

A few statistics compiled from official records are herewith incorporated as a part of this report for your information: