The Portland daily press., 1893-12-02

WdSuluSUUH, DcCcuUcr Line annual
report of Secretary of the Interior
Smith was tonight given out for publica-
tion. Referring to the order revokine
rule 164 relating to pensions, the report
says: In pursuance of this order, board
of revision was formed Of the ablest and
most experienced men in the pension
bureau, with instructions to examine the
cases allowed under the act of June ~,
1890, and Gull out such as had no legal
basis to rest upon. In cases where it was
believed pensions could not be sustained
and another medical examination was
thought necessary the payment OF
pensions was ordered suspended pending
investig alton. This was done by the
commissioner of pensions in pursuance
of a uniform practice of the bureau, as
it existed almost from the organization
thereof. The pensioner was not dropped
from the rolls but the payment of his
pension was suspended, the usual sixty
days notice being given the pensioner in
which he could ask for medical exami-
nation or supply further evidence of his
right to the pension. II the examination
of his proof disclosed that he was not
entitled to the pension, he was told that
the payment of his pension was suspended
until he could put ON record case which
would .authorize payment according to
the terms of the act of Congress. Many
thus suspended were able to supply
proof and to these payment was at once
resumed. The former practice in regard
to suspension was modified in cases
where the proof on file disclosed the fact
that the pensioner was entitled to some
rating, although not to the rating
allowed him. The report denies that
a purpose ever existed of an extreme and
unreasonable manner of suspending
pensioners and denies that any abandon
ment has taken place of the policy of re-
moving from the pension rolls those not
legally thereon.
The report indicates that the census
will be practically closed by July l, 1884
Five hundred thousand dollars will be
needed to complete it and prepare its
volumes for distribution. The report
recommends the passage of legislation
which may lay the foundation of a wise
and comprehensive forestry system. The
report gives the history of the opening of
the Cherokee Outlet and claims the plan
of procedure adopted and carried to a
successful conclusion'preyentedt to a large
extent the wrongful occupancy of sland
by people not entitled to settle thereon.
A full examination of the work of the
lnQ1an bureau IufnlSneSa PROOF IN sup
port of the wisdom of the policy which
controls the administration of Indian
affairs.
During the past fiscal year, over q, 900
children have been carefuylly trained
in the habits and customs. of civilized
life and instructedi iii the branches
taught in the compdqnrs6ho Secretary
Smith declares that theocivil service ex-
aminations do not furnish proper infor-
nation for the selection of local superin-
tendents of Indian schools. Executive
ability and other qualities are infinitely
more important than mere technical
knowledge 1t is urged that these
officers be selected without regard to
politics, by the general superintendent
after careful inquiry to find those best
suited for the work. It is stated that
unless the present legislation applicable
to Indian depredations claims is changed,
the treasury of the United States is
liable to be drained of millions of dollars
to pay claims of doubtful propriety.
Additional buildings must be con-
structed for the use of the interior de-
partment.
The admission of Utah, New Mexico
and Arizona as states is favored and hope
expressed that Oklahoma may soon be-
come state.