New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-24
GENERAL BUSSEY'S ANNUAL REPORT.
THE CONDITION OF THE PENSION SYSTEM
INDIAN APPROPRIATIONS.


Washington. Nov. o3.-Thc annual report OF General
CYRUS BusScy the Assistant secretary OF the Interior
has been received By Secretary Noble. 1t deals eA-
clusivcly with the work Of the Board Of Pension Ap-
pcAls Of which the Assistant Secretary las dirccl
charge and with the purchase Of Indian supplies III
the Government warehouse IN Ncw-lorh. The IT,
port shows tina. on July !, 1891, there were o'oJo
apuacd pension cases on file with the board ana taI
this number on June 90 1892. had been reduced 70
4.3i0. There were 42jS appeals filed during the
yclr or the 1899 cases acted upon during the year
the decision Of tho Comms -Ioncr was sustained In
$3.50. Action reversed In 4Gf cases; .Ol WcI"
dismissed. and 400 cases recon-idcrcd by the
Comml soncr pending appeal.
In his discussion OF tho Pension laws General
Bussey calls attention TO several defects In pension
Hesitation. As an instance o: such defects be say
that from an early date IN the history OF our pension
syetcm there have prevailed under different Admins
trlti0ns conflicting opinions as 70 thc power 10 IN
force the reimbursement Of money paid In excess for
pen Ions I'm conformity With either inaccurate or
Illegal certificates issued through nis.aAc5 either o.
fact or Of law, in the adjudication Of claims by the
Bureau Of Pensions; and. consequently In the absence
Of a clear lc-al provision the subject. the Govern
mcnt having no authority to plead past ovcrIny-
mont rs an offset TO current payments % pensions.
has been compelled 20 submit 10 serious losses Of
money which, having been once improperly paid
either 10 claimants or pensioners wero rrocoveIaoe
under any established rule 81 departmental pra'u''
In order 10 supply remedy he recommends that
Congress be requested 10 enact law that shall ~
prcsv authorize thc department 70 treat all Improper,
Illegal and excessive payments - pensions. Whether
caused by fraud by mistake prcIuym"uts, 70
be- charged against tho current pension. With View
to- -r,adlusting cquallzng current pension pay
mcrts within the discretion OF Tie Secretary.
In closing this branch Of lls ropor General Bussey
SAYS: | rraiined % - able 20 ny That the
pledge OF the Nation (eXpreseod century ago. that
II any person. Whether officer or soldier, militia
or regular called into tho seryc" II the United STATE"
De wounded disabled Will" IN actual service, he
shall De taken care Of and pr vd'd for at public cN
p,n,e,' hl- been redeemed VITA ldoNiy. IN c0npA-
nrce with the provisions Of the various
pension laws. on june 80. l-92, thcr' were borne
on tn. pension r,s the names Of -JDO-1 pensioners
l1gg2- more pensioners th1n were carried on thr
same rolls al tlc end % The prrc"-inr nscnl year
and 4J7, $50 than Oh The rolls juno 30
l--T.H
General Busscy calls attention 70 te fact TINT the
AUTHORIZATION lul f.r tllr India. service IS usually
III s-cd SD late IN the year that r. seems imi. l.
t. let contracts Tor supplies IN time for delivery hcor"
winter sets fl. and i especially a- n" blank, - ana
winter clothing. has caused uurl suffering. II" rec
onmends that the appropriation for the" supplies Boz
made one year ahead