Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-12-02
HOkE ON PENSIONS
The Secretary Claims Reduction
Of Expenses BY Cutting
OLD VETERANS OFF The ROLLS
HE Explains Why MAay We're Re-
stored-ssatehood Recommended
Tor Arizona aad New Aexica

port of Secretary Hoks SmltE gives a
resume Of the operations of the general
l4ni oifice. the pensson busesu. the een
sas office. the bureau of lndlan affairs.
patents. geological survey, education
aud Pacific railroads. ani number OF
Important Recommendations are made.
Ia discussing the question of pensions,
the secresary calls aitsatsoa to tho
frauds discovered By the spec al exam
ines at Norfolk. Virginia and in New
Mexieo aud losa. lie STATES that the
pensions in the tirst two ins, ances had
been allowed upon testimony manufac
tuned aud forged by the claim agents.
In lONa the examining boards had been
systematically tampered with by the
ageats The report shows that the
stOppage og these illegal pensions IN the
three places has saved 10 the govern
ment an amount equal TO the expense OF
the entire foscr OF special examiners.
When II in remembered that this work
% the examiners Lad been in progress
bat six months. and that payment OF
pensions would have continued for an
average of nearly twenty years. sthe
enormous saving to the government can
be realized referring 20 the act OF
June -, 1880. the report reviews the de
cision of Assistant Secretary Bushey In
the Welke case end also the decision
rendered Nay q 10 the Bennett; case.
Suspended Pensions
Referring 10 the order revoking rule
l6i the report says. "ln pursuance OF
this order board OF revision was formed
OF the ATTEST and most experienced men
IN the pension bureau win instructions
10 examine the cases allowed under tho
act oi June -. losu. and 10 Gull out such
as hal no legal basis To rest upon. la
cases where II was believed that the
pensions could not be sustained aud an
other medical examination was thought
necessary. the payment of the pensions
were ordered Ia be suspended pending
investigation. This was done by the
commission in pursuance ~ the uniform
practice of the bureau as II had existed
almost from the organization thereof.
The pensiener was not dropped from the
rolls. but the payment OF his pension
was suspended aud the usual sixty days
notice vas given 10 the pensioner in
which he could ask for medical exam
ina,ion or supply further evidence OF his
right 10 a pension. The examination OF
his proof having disclosed that hs was
not entitled to a pension, he was told
that the payment Of his pension was
suspended until be could put on record
"a case which woald authorize payment
according TO the terms OF tine act OF
congress.
Names Restored to the Rolls
IL was found that many thus sus-
pended were able to supply the proof,
when notice vas given tnat proof was
required, and 10 these payments was at
once resumed. The former practice in
regard 10 suspension was also modified
Ia cases where the proof ou tile disclosed
the fact that the pensIoner was entitled
10 some rating although not TO the
rating which had been allowed him.
The report treats the matter of suspen-
sion and rcvIsioa IN calm. Judicial
matter IL denies that the purpose has
ever existed Of an extreme and unTea-
sonahle manner OF suspendihg peaslon.
crs. aud ~. also denies thar any aban.
donment has taken place OF the policy OF
removing from the pension rolls those
who are not legally thereon.
With reference to tho census the re
port shows that IL will 10 practically
closed by July I. 1891. and that SjOO.0OO
will to needed TO complete 10 and 10
bind and otherwise prepare its volumes
for distribution.
Protection OF Public Forests.
Upon tile question OF public timber
ard forest. the report shows that az
utter inadequscy 81 organization has
been provided for the legitimate pro.
..f ,..al.lts. 20
the actual necessities of the people lie
pendent thereon and al the same time
develop the natural reserves of the pub.
lac lands and 20 protect and preserve tho
forests FOR the needs of the future. Tho
report recommends toe passage of legls.
lar.on which may lay the foundation for
wise. comprehensive forestry system.
II urges the passage 81 a bill allowing
the sale ~ such t,mber as eau be
psoperly removed to furnish fund sui
tcIent to INACCURATE thorough system
of inspection anu the selection Of
forestry commission in connection vita
toe land Office looking towards the edu
cation aud use IN this wosk % men
thoroughly suited for it
oprning OF Cherokee strip
The report gives the history of the
opening al the Cherokee outlet ana. in
reference b. the hardships that were IA
curred by applicants. u states that these
we're unavoidable on account of the
fact that the crowd was 80 large iar n
cxccs= a the land 81 be obtained The
report suggests certain restrcti1n- a.
% those ~ whom the privilege oi bIo
ding should bo extsndcd II the lasd -
di-ro-ed by auction. Referring q the
fact that the railroads b. Oklahoma
have discrimiaased 10 favor ~ tie in
dian ailofment towns the report uiges
thc passaze Of bill which tas already
been introduced IN congresst tie ar
pose = which is 70 prevent the possioal-
ity - discriminatiop favorable 90 sp~cu-
lafive interests Tne allotment ~ lands
sni the school house are having a
marked eject uron the Indian race. 10
- not 81 be expected that ali thes- 10
dian children vii retain. when returSFag
- their savage parents the hsbits and
manner ~ lie shich they were required
- a. n shsn attending school. bat the
e.iBcstlon and the iafiu@nce which they
carry o. their homes = having a gradual
eject wharh vii he certain 10 iis results
Pr~testisx Indiar Rights.
Referring % N. commission ~ treat
the Hve rivilifesi tribes. the report calls
attention - the thicsiy setfi-a cfnditian
q the copntry. innledtately routiguous
% - lneisn ferrtory. Ehich has rsn