The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-11-28

pestilence or fire, in which few hundred
lives were involved, Congress would act
with promptness and decision. II certainly
should do so where the we'll being of tens of
thousands Of men to whom the Nation owes
everything is involved, and whose need is as
great and imminent as that of any men who
ever appealed TO Congress.
Let he reterdas hare their Day in Court be-
fore any Other business is transacted.
-------
REPORT OF THE ASSISTAN Mt SECRETARY.
One of the best bits of good fortune to the
veterans resulting from the change of Ad-
ministration was the revolution in the Office
of Assistant Secretary of the Interior when
Gen. Cyrus Bussey, of Iowa. succeeded Daniel
l.. Hawkins, of Missouri Men more unlike
in thought and feeling never followed each
other in Office. Hawkins is renegade YER
monter, who became Pro-slayery Missou-
rian. This Subscription enough for those who
are familiar with the type. He was too selfish
or cunning TO enter the rebel army when the
war broke out, but he allowed no bushwhack-
er or guerrilla in Missouri TO surpass him in
hatred to all who wore the blue As Assistant
Secretary of the Interior he passed on every
appeal from the decision of the Commissioner
OF Pensions, and il is not oversiating the
truth TO say that he allowed no claim where
ingenuity could find pretext for reject
ing il.
Gen. Bussey is as opposite to him as the poles
are TO each other. At the outbreak Of the war
he gave mp profitable businesssa political
career and q delightful home to throw his
best energies into the struggle for the Union.
While Gen. Lyon was fighting the rebels in
Southern Missouri Mr.. Bnssey, then merely
a volunteer Aid on the Governor OF Iowa's
staff, was successfully repelling formidable
raid of the North Missouri rebels into his
State. Soon after he was leading 20 the
front one of the finest regiments of cavalry
in the Union army, and making unprece.
dented marches with il TO reach the battle.
field Of Pea Ridge, where he distinguished
himself 10y courage and brilliant soldiership.
He was given the command Of a brigade in
recognition of his capacity and zeal, and led
this on the historic march Of Curtis's army
fhrouob Arkana.a Nat Ia. ,.,a. -. AZ =.
command Of an important Department, and
did so well in it that lie was intrusted with
the command OF all Of Gen. Grants cavalry
during the Vicksburg campaign. Then he
was given the command of the turbulent
Department of Western Arkansas, and adj.
ministered its affairs with firm, just hand
till the close Of the war, winning new lanrels
in that field.
| His appointment as Assistant Secretary OF
| the Interior brought new atmosphere into
that Office. Instead of its functions being
| exercised to devise means and pretexts for
denying pensionst 70 claimants, they have been
exerted TO find out the exact meaning and
intentions of the laws relating to pensions
and applying them according TO correct legal
principles in the adjudication of claims
Numbers Of Hawkins's rulings and decisions
have been reversed, not on sentimental
grounds, but On the firm and sure basis Of
their violation of legal principles and their
hostility TO the palpable meaning and spirit
of the laws he was appointed TO execute. In
this way, and being the veterans court Of
last resort, he has been of the greatest
benefit to thousands of soldiers by in.
fusing the spirit of exact justice and
liberaiity into the Interpretation of the
pension laws. Many of Gen. Bussey's de.
cisi0ns have been sharply assailed by the
soldier-haters, but they are impregnably
founded on true legal principles, aud every
competent lawyer who has examined them
freely admits this.
Gen. Bussey has now made his first repori
to his official superior-the Secretary O.
the Interior-and very interesting doeu,
ment it is. We are sorry that space prevents
Our giving it in full. 1t first presents
tables of the amount Of work done. which
showsa great increase Of efficiency over what
was accomplished under his predecessor
With reference to his policy, the Assistant
Secretary says:
As may be inferred from the foregoing tAbuIated
record OF the work since April /. 1884, much time
has been applied by tbs board TO the examination
OF motions hed by claimants aud attorneys for t,s
reconsideration OF appeals that had been adyersal,
adjudicated by my predecessor. la many instance,
these motions have been given special attention
even nj the expense Of temporary delay In TAKING
mp claims filed original appeals from the Bureal
OF Pensions. because they related TO Questions ~
law, OF fact and OF practice that seemed to require
immediate action aud ia order not only that iustc
might be dete TO claimants, but that the judgm q