The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-08-29

In common with their brethren all over
the United States the veterans OF this
state are watching with no little an xlety
and much disgust the Democratic at
tempt to reform" the pension roll
probation Of the pension laws for the law
1tself Thousands of pensioners have
been dropped from the ro Is bectuse Sec
retary Hoke Smith has chosen to
interpret the law from a Geor gian
standpoint. Instead OF attempt
ing to cut off from the pension rolls
those who by fraud have attempted
aud that successfully to defraud the
government. Secretary Smith has arbi-
trarily proceeded to cut down the list. re-
gardless of law or justice. A superficial
statement Is all that Is necessary at pres
ent to deprive a veteran of the money the
government has promised he Should re-
ceive. But the Democratic attempt at
ECONOMY" at the expense of the veteran
will not be allowed to succeed
without the most vigorous fight
that congress has ever witnessed. Sen
ator Gallinger OF New Hampshire has al
ready manifested strong inclination to
protect the veterans and has already be.
gun the fight in their behalf. Senator
GallIugcr is the junior senator
from the Granite state. and Is
one Of the ablest men in congress. A
physician by profession he understands
the disability act better than a memb
OF the laity. He Is q man about the
medium height. with strong. clear cut
face ornamented by a moustache which
lends . distinguished air TO the
well-modelled features. Vigorous In ex-
precision. fighter from the beginning,
he exerts an influence that has been felt
In the upper house since his advent there
far in advance Of the length Of his ser
Vice.
Letter to Providence Man.
In letter written to friend in Provi-
dencs. who wrote to him regarding the
doctors proposed investig cation, Senator
.Gallinaer ipclosed aclipping containing
m Interview that the representative
OF .the New York Press had with
him Saturday upon this subject,
adding, "This represents my positioa
exactly, and will give you an idea of my
line of action. Tnis government cannot
afford to deprive the old soldiers of the
pittance that comes to them by way OF
pensions. except in cases where
fraud exists. and IL 10 the duty of con-
gress aud the courts to see to 1t that they
Hre fully protected in their rights in this
re9ard.
I'm the matter OF the suspension and
dropping from the pension rolls of the
names Of soldiers duly enrolled thereon, 1t
II indisputable that X one name can b,
suspended or dropped In the manner that
n now being done every name on the
pension rolls can be dealt with
In the same way and all legisla-
tion relating to pensions bs thus nulli-
fed by an executive officer. find no
warrant In existing statutes for such
action. Congress certainly never In
tended to confer upon either the secretary
Of the interior or the commissioner of
pensions any such sweeping aud arbi-
trary power, the exercise OF which is
slon roll today.
The secretary's Powers.
THE secretary Of the interior has only
the right to strike from the rolls the
names Of pensioners who have obtained
pensions BY fraud. This IL the limit OF
his power. / can not concede nor do I
lelieve that the suspension of "a pensioner
ON the ground that the proof submitted
10 former comm issoner was insufficient
Is at all warranted By that section of the
statute. Indeed, / know of no legal ground
upon which the present commissioner can
review and annul the action of his prede-
csssor. II the doctrine OF stare decisis
does not apply here. then it is difficult to
know under what circumstances IL can he
made applicable.
my proposed Investigation OF this SUI b.
5sct by the senate committee on pensions
will at best be unsatisfactory, although
IL entered into 1t may throw some light
on the subject. The plan OF Colonel c.
Il. Lincoln TO make test case in the
c,urts IL a much better one, which trust
may not long be delayed. In regard to
the powers of the comm issicper of pen-
sions over allowed pension claims the
laws bearing on this subject are ell de-
fined and clearly expressed.
my good friends in Rhode Island and
elsewhere may depend up on il that my
services are enlisted to the end in defence
o, the Union veteran.
The Law on the Subject.
"sectiou l,52o Revised Statutes. authorizes
tie commissioner, upon satisfactory evidence
that fraud was perpetrated in obtaining a
special act of congress. 10 suspend payment
tlereon until the propriety Of repeating the
- 1ne can be considered by congress This
~ the only statute which IN terms authorizes
tho '.uspension' Of payment OF pension. and
this II limited lD TO special acts CD where
fraud vss perprctated, CD after satisfactory
evidencc has been obtained ~ and then only
rnfl congress can consider the propriety of a
section 4.e2e Revised Statutes provides for
ptIeIops for disabilities less than total and
variable IN degree aud ~ the foundation Of