The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-11-06
PENSION MATTERS.
Tho Annual Report OF Assistant
Secretary Bussoy.
TPPElL ClSES DISPOSED OF
Some Needed Changes IN the Law.
important Recommendation With
n View to EuunilAing Matters aud
10 Insure Deserving Pensioners
JnstIcc.-Thc Amendment Wanted
10 the Law Passed Last Winter.

WAsHiSGToS, D. c., Nov. 5.-Assistant
Secretary Busscy, OF tho interior de-
ra!tmcnt, has filed with Secretary
Noble his annual report for the Inst
a.cal year. Tho assistant secretary has
appellate jurisdiction OF all cases arising
under the pension laws and his report
is confined to n review Of the work Of
the board OF pension appeals under his
supervision. Tho report shows tina.
Oh January !, 1891, there wcrc j,O2S mp.
peal4 pending before the board as
against $3.50 OH July |, 1891. In tho
interim, however, there were 1885 new
appeals filed, and therefore 1891 were
disposed OF.
Of the cases disposed OF in only 2l0
were the decisions OF the pension Office
reversed. MIR. Busscy points out &C.
era. defects, as lie regards them, in pen.
tion legislation and makes n number Of
recommendations looking 10 their cor
icciion. lie asks that Congress DO re-
GacstCd 70 enact Il law that shall eX-
rressIy authorize the department TO
treat all improper, illegal and excessive
payments OF pensions, whether caused
Us fraud or mistake, as proponents to
to bc charged against the current pen
sion, with q view TO readjust or cquali2c
current pension payments within the
discretion OF the secretary.
Heretofore, he explains, in the
absence OF 4 clear legal provision on the
subject, the government having no
authority TO plead Il passover payment
as IN effect 10 current payments OF
pension, has been compelled 10 submit
to serious losses OF money, which, hay
ine been nee improperly paid either 10
claimants or 10 pensioners, were ire
coycrablc under any established rule OF
departmental practice.
j,r. Busscy calls attention 10 the first
clause oil section 3, oil the act OF Juno
%, 1870. and says that his attention has
been drawn TO 4 number oil cases
wherein, according TO the law, tho claim
ant has been necessarily denied pension
UytatSc INC SOIuIcT Ol WnOSo ucItu tIlc
claim was based, although serving
NINETY days or more in the army or
navy" Us shown by the evidence had
not been h~onorably discharged prior to
death, but had died while, for instance,
on individual Through and absent
from the technical line OF duty in the
service. 1t seems, Ire says, that both
the spirit and object OF the act OF June
u, 1890, would be emphasized and sub
served by an amendment OF this Sec
ton that would be applicable to such
mcritorious cases OF dependence and
distress. He also suggests that in case
oi insane. idiotic, or otherwise help
less children OF deceased pensioners,
the p~cnsionable age-limit be abolished,
50 as TO admit such children at any date
10 the pension roll.
The assistant secretary also recon-
mends that persons who served in the
Confederate army and afterwards en-
liitcd in the navy OF tho United States
be given the samc reasonable rights rs
ire accorded those who served the Con-
tolerate cause and then enlisted in the
army OF the United States.