Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-02
SECRETARY SMITH
HIS REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Efforts to Make the Pension List a
"Roii of Honor "-Importance OF
Economy.


The annual report OF Secretary Hoke
Smith shows an intimate knowledge OF
the workings OF the great bureaus under
his charge, and keen, judicial compre-
hension Of the important questions in
yolved in their administration. The opera
tions OF the general Office. the Pension
Bureau, the Census Office the Bureau Of
Indian Affairs. Patent Office. Geological
Survey. Education. and Pacific railroads
are all reviewed. and a number Of impor-
tant recommendations made.
In discussing the subject of pensions the
Secretary calls attention to the frauds
discovered by special examiners at Nor
folk. New Mexico, and Iowa. He states
that the pensions IN the first two In
stances had been allowed upon testi-
mony manufactured and forged by claim
agents. In Iowa the Examining Board had
been systematically tampered with by the
claim agents. The report shows that the
stoppage Of these Illegal pensions In the
three places has saved to the government
an amount equal TO the expense OF the
entire force OF special examiners. When
IL Is remembered that thia work OF the
examiners has been In progress for but
six months. and that payment Of the sus-
pended pensions would have continued
for an average of nearly twenty years,
the enormous saving TO the government
can be realized.
1t adds: Besides. these pensions were
being obtained through fraud ana now
can public money be better spent than TO
prevent dishonesty
Referring TO the act of June q, lSD'
the report reviews the decision OF ASSIST
ant-Secretary Bussey In the Weike case
and also the decision rendered May Zith
in the Bennett case.
REVOCATION OF RULE 16i.
Referring to the order revoking rule
1Gl the report says: 'In pursuance OF TINS
order. Board Of Revision was formed or
the ablest and most experienced men OF
the pension bureau, with instructions 10
examine the case. allowed under the act
Of June q, 1890, and to Gull out such as
had no legal basis TO rest upon. In cases
where il was believed that the pensions
could not be sustained. and another medl-
cal examination was required, the paylhS
of pensions was required to be suspended
during investigation This was zone py
the Commissioner Of Pensions IN pur-
suance Of the uniform practice OF the
bureau. as It had existed almost from
the origin thereof.
"The pensiOner was not dropped from
the rolls. but the payment OF his pension
WAS suspended, and the usual sixty Gays
notice was given to the pensioner IN whlch
he could ask for medical examination
or supply further evidence of MS right
TO a pension. The examination OF his
proof having disclosed that he was not
entitled TO n pension. he was told that the
payment of his pension was suspended
until ne could put on record Il case when
would authorize payment according to
the terms Of the act Of Congress
1T was found that many thus suspended
were able to supply the proof when no
tice was given that proof was required
and 10 these payment was at once IL
sumed
"The former practice in regard TO sus-
nensions was also modified in cases where
the proof on file disclosed the fact mat
the pensioncr was entitled to some rating.
although not 10 the rating which had been
allowed him"
The report treats the matter OF suspeh-
sions and revision in a calm, judicial
manner. Il denies that the purpose has
ever exist sd OF adopting an extreme ana
unreasonable manner Of suspendinS pen
sioners. and II also denies that any aban-
donment has taken place Of the policy OF
removing from the pension-rolls those WHO
are not legally thereon.
THE CENSUS.
With reference TO the census. the re-
mort shows that until the resignation OF
Mr.. Porter, on July 3lst. the Secretary
supposed that the census would be closed
December 3lst. but that a conference with
the chiefs Of the various divisions salts
fed him that Il radical change was neces-
sary 10 improve the census and bring IL
10 completion. The Secretary states that
he did not discover any purpose
on the part of those connected
with the census to bring II
10 a conclusion at all. He refers to the
selection Of Carroll ID. Wright. after a
careful investigation 10 determine VINO
Eyas best suited for the work, and says
that he now feels confident that every
effort is being conscientiously made To
bring the census TO close anu rehder
II as useful as possible.
The report indicates that the census
will be practically closed by July /, 1891
and that 10000 will be needed to COM
pletc il, and TO bind and otherwise prepare
It's volumes for distribution.
PUBLIC LANDS.
In treating the subject Of public lands
and the lessons taught by experience in
openiug the Cherokee strip and other
Indian reservations to settlement, the
Secretary states that a number OF small
but valuable tracts OF land, VIII DE
! ready for settlement within the next two
wears. and that IL is important for the
dcpartment TO prevent trouble without
additional legislation. He recommends the
/ adoption of a plan which. by aucuoh'
under proper restriction or otherWlse'
may in advance fix the ownership OF each
particular section as a substitute for the
present system.
THE INDIANS.
The report states that fair examination
| of the work of the Indian Bureau fur
nishes proof i'm support Of the wisdom oil
/ the policy which controls the adminlstra-
/ tion Of Indian affairs Slowly, but steadily
the wards Of the nation are being au-
vanced 10 a condition suitable Tor cltl-
| Zenship. 1t Is a mistake TO suppose that
| the Indians are decreasing in number
Tribal wars. and wars with the WnlteS
/ having ceased, they are increasing rather
! than decreasing.
The allotment of lands and the school
/ house are having a marked effect upon
! the race. During the past fiscal year over
| n 900 children have been carefully trained
| In the habits and customs Of civilized NE
as we'll as instructed In the branches
| taught in common schools. 1t is not 10
be expected that all these Indian children
will retain, when returning 10 theli
| savage parents. the habits ana manner
4 of life which they were required to adopt
while attending school but the education
and influence which they carry to Their
| homes is having u general effect wiieI
will be certain in its results.
The Secretary makes a number c1 sus-
gestions looking to the betterment OF the
! existing methods of selecting local super
| intendents and teachers Of Indian schools
| by taking these appointments out or the
/ field of politics and also freeing them
| from the restriction of the clVil-serViee
| law.
The subjects Of public lands ana the
various phases of the Indian question oc-
| cupy a very large space in the report.
The report also treats OF the presen.
| condition of the Geological Survey ana OF
! the Bureau OF Education, and commehus
! the work In both these bureaus.
The national parks and forest reserVa-
tlons receive careful attsntion.
ECONOMY IN EXPENDITURES.
| The report closes with the following
statement upon expenditures: Although
| / believe that many of the improvements
nroposed by the various bureaus are WISE
and I'm the future should be carried Out.
Vet. In the estimate OF expenditures LOT
| the Interior Department furnished TO tne
| Secretary Of the Treasury, l rejected the
| c,raat majority OF them. The sti1ctest