Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-02-06
WASHINGTON LETTER
WORK TO BE DONE BY CONGRESS
BEFORE MARCH H.
A New System Of Investigating Pen
sion Claims.
A Summary OF the Happenings of
the Past Week.

The senate is shaping up its business
with firm determination TO adjourn
March without leaving behind il the
necessity Tor an extra session. To this end
the steering committee of the republican
majority has already arranged program
that would of itself occupy the attention OF
the senate for two weeks. This arrange
ment, however. is not final. as il must be
formally approved by the republican eau
Gus, and is besides subject TO interruption
in its working by the appropriation bills.
Only four weeks remain OF the fiity-iirs
, congress, and not single one of the -
regular annual appropriation oils has been
finally passed by both branches OF congress
and sent 10 the President. But ono of
these bills has passed the seuate-the army
bll-whlch went through Saturday with
number of amendments. on which the
action OF the house is necessary. The
pension and fertilization appropriation
bills are on the senate calendar ready for
consideration. Three other bills. namely
those making appropriation for the District
OF Columbia. the military academy anu the
navy. have passed the house but have not
been acted on by the senate committee. OF
the remain NJ appropriation bills the con-
sular and diplomatic, the Indian and lecis-
lativc, have been reported 10 the house
and two others. the sundry civil and agri-
cultural, will be placed on the calendar
early this wceN, so that the general de-
fciency and the postoflicc bills will be the
only ones left TO be reported from commit
tee. While the present condition Of the
appropriation b lis is not encouraging as
compared with their state of progress in
previous congresses, no doubt is enter
tanned by experienced members Of both the
house and the senate of the ability of con
gross 10 complete its absolute necessary
legislation before noon of March 4.
PENSION CLAIMS.
Secretary Noble is taking active meas
ures TO expedite the ad ucation of claims
in the pension bureau. particular attention
being given 10 those cases which are not
represented by attorneys. and to cases
which Tor one reason or another. have
been pending in the bureau for long time.
In this matter the secretary is receiving
the earnest cooperation and assistance of
Commissioner Raum. During the last
year or So several states. by their rcspec-
tive legislatures have designated officers 10
come 10 Washington and examine all pend
ing claims of eX-soldiers of their respective
states with a view TO securing the needed
evidence to bring them TO a final examina-
ton and disposition. The secretary in
this connection has given instructions that
these state officers be given every neces-
sary facility in their work, and that. if
required, small detail of clerks be made
TO aid in the preparation OF the claims in
which they are specially interested. The
secretary heartily approves of this move
ment on the part of the states TO look after
the interests Of their veterans
hos al Il Oh hut
the members Of the examining force in the
field be instructed TO devote share Of their
attention to those long-pening claims
whether they are represented by attorneys
or not. If the evidence required can be
had by IA special examination and investi-
CATION in the field, it should be done, and
if such testimony cannot be procured, that
fact should be ascertained and the case
finally closed. Justice 70 all concerned re-
qures that a speedy determination Of these
claims be had. An examination OF the
records of the pension bureau discloses the
fact that there are only about -. 600 cases
on file winch are not represented by attOr-
neys. These viii be taken up by board
appointed Tor the purpose, and pressed 10
final determination. This board is required
10 exercise every car" that could be taken
by an attorney. and 10 fully consider and
give Just weight TO every favorable fact dis
closed in the record of these cases. In other
words, full and complete justice is to be
done in every instance, AMI technicaities
OF construction or presentation Of these
cases are not to be tseu advantage Of
! The claimants are 10 be assisted and not
hndercd These reforms have already
been started on their course, and it is ex
pected they VIII result in good 10 all con-
Cened.
SECRETARY WINDOWS AFFAIRS.
II has generally been supposed that
Secretary Window was a millionaire, but
such is very far from being the case.
While he was senator he built an cXpen-
sive house here which he sold at "a great
sacrifice He also lost considerable
amount OF money by unfortunate indorse-
ments. When ne took the secretaryship
Of the treasury he was in very moderate
circumstances. and although he has lived
very quietly he was not 50 well of when
he died as he was when he entered the
public service There is reason to fear
that his family Will be left something less
than comfortably well Off. These facts
are not generally known, but the authority
Tor them is beyond dispute
NOTES.
1t is stated with positivcness that the
managers OF the elections bill have finally
decided to abandon the measure in the in
terest OF more important public bus mess
rerpining to De acted upon. This decision
has i,cen communicated TO the democratic
senators.
Invitations to several receptions at the
White House have been recalled on account
of the death OF Secretary Window.
The house and senate did not meet on
Monday until two o'clock To allow all an
opportunity TO attend the funeral of oecre-
tary Window.
Most OF the Liverpool tugboat men have
gone ON "a strike.
Gold closed at Bucnos Ayres Saturday
at -. - premium.
/ ,.t, ef lion bu,.n rot - pnI 20 -nrly