The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-07-28
CAN EARN A LIVING.
Supreme Court Justice Long Loses
His Pension.
Although Still Suffering Much from His
Wounds, He Is Decided Not tn lie
Helpless, and Is Therefore
Suspended.
HIS CASE TO BE INVESTIGATED.

DETROIT, July 22.-The most sensa-
tional thing that has yet come to light
relative to the so-called purging of the
pension list is the suspension of no
less distinguished pensioner than JUS
tice Charles Dean Long, of the Michi-
gan supreme court Few SOLDIERS
in this state suffer from wounds
as severe as those Of Justice
Long. At the battle of Whining
ton Island, Ga, he lost his left
arm and he was also shot through the
hips and abdomen. This latter wound
has still to be dressed twice daily. AL
though the order of suspension bears
date of June 81, Mr.. Long has not yet
received official notice of its issuance.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., July 24.-Touch-
ing the suspension of the pension OF
Justice Charles Dean Long, of the
Michigan supreme court it has been as
certained that Judge Long was in re-
ceipt of $72 a month for the loss of his
left arm above the elbow and gunshot
wound in his left hip. Second Deputy
Commissioner Bell says:
REPORT being made that in spite OF his being
pensioned for total helplessness, requiring the
regular aid and attendance OF another person,
he was performing his duties as justice
of the supreme court OF Michigan at .
salary of $1,000 per annum, the bureau
naturally came to the conclusion that
an investigation of the case was demanded and
suspension followed accordingly, on the ground
that the performance of duty as justice Of the
supreme court of Michigan at salary Of $1,000
per annum was hardly consistent with total
helplessness requiring the regular aid and at
tendance OF another person
"1'he papers on file in this case show pecul-
lar and extraordinary state OF affairs. The
pensioner has not been examined since March
81, 1884, at which time the board at Washing
ton, ID. c., rated him at $50 per month In Au-
gust, 1884, this pension was Increased to S5O per
month from March 81, 1884, the date Of the last
medical examination, at which time this rate
contemplated helplessness or degree OF disa-
bility so nearly approaching helplessncss that
the regular aid and attendance OF another per-
son, was required In May, 1882 Mr.. Longs
pension was rerated and increased by Commits
soner Tanner and an allowance made OF $50
per month from June 4, 1874, the date OF the law
establishing the $50 rate and ST2 per month
from June II, 1873, the date Of the law estab-
fishing that rate of pension. The rerating and
increase OF pension were made on the personal
order of Commissioner Tanner In August
1889, Commissioner Tanner granted a second
reratlng at the rate OF SIS per month from
June G. 1866; and S3l. % from June 4, 1872
This constituted an increase OF $40 per
month from June g. 1855, and Sl:.2 5 from June
4, 1872, to June 4, 1874 No application for in
crease or rerating was ever made by Mr.. Long
subsequent to August, 1884, when his pension
was increased TO $50 per month, except letter
written to Commissioner Tanner June II, 1889,
in which he requests a rerating OF his pension
from June 4, 1885, to June T. 1872 at &25 per
month; and from June 4, 1872, to June 4, 1874,
at S31.25 per month. which request was duly
complied with by Commissioner Tanner, de-
spite the fact that no legal application had
ever been made for rerating.
1T is needless to say that the acts OF Com
missioner Tanner in rerating and increasing
this pension without application on the part Of
the pensioner being made and without further
medical examination were wholly unwar-
ranted by any law or rule or order in
existence in this bureau at that time
or since In other words Commissioner
Tanner raised this pension from $50 per month
to S72 per month, and between May 1889, and
August, 1889, granted two reratings, each car!
rying large arrearages, without any legal APP
plication on the part of the pensioner or any
medical examination, so far as the records
show, the generous act of the commissioner Of
pensions resulting in the payment to Mr.. Long
of total sum of %, 9l2 o."