Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1896-12-11
SsCN AFFAIRS.
sry RenOlds Thinks
nent Is All Right.

son, Dec. 6.-The report of AS
slstant Secretary Of the Interior Reynolds
LUZ tne present year shows the policl
pursued in the administration of nensior
affairs. 1t states the important chances
IN the rulings and practice and the fol.
living out OF general plan for secur-
ing equity, uniformity and iustice in
tne determination of appeals. The as
slstant secretary says:
Inc liberal and generous spirit which
prompted the enactment of pension laws
mas been the guide of the department in
.helr construction. FORMER adjudications
nave not been disturbed save where
| apparent" wa"
Figures are cited to show the signifi-
canoe OF the reduction of pending cases
ana 10 demonstrate that for the first time
~ eignt years the work of the office dur
ing the past year was devoted to con-
sidering current appeals.
Inc commissioner of pensions was re-
Versed In 2O66 of the cases ruled
Inc report says: General satisfaction
mas followed the recommendation of last
year for sucn legislation which will IN
sure better protection to the pension fund
que 10 competents and others followed by
the law directing all quarterly payments
to be made by Check
Gratifying results have followed the
passage Of the act of March 2, 1896 which
secured an extension of cases, wherein
payments of accrued pensions could be
mace. as well as that of the act of March
b, 1886, relating to the commencement Of
pensions, under act of June q. 1890.
A Number of Suggestions.
inc suggestion IS again made as to the
advisablllty OF such legislation as will
lodge In the federal courts the right of
any one on behalf of the government to
ask peter protection to the pension fund
or those slumbering under legal disa-
bilities. The following also are suggest
ed: That Justice demands the universal
application of the committee on law rule
IN PROOF OF marriage; state laws govern
ing and leading to denial of title in cases
which are equally meritorious; that the
pensionable rights of minor children who
lay claim under the act of June 27, 1890,
should be defined with more certainty
Where the soldier leaves no widow sur
wing. The act of August 5. 1892, re-
lates to the pensionable title of those
VINO served as nurses during the war of
the rebellion. Title is confined to those
VINO served in regimental posts, camp or
general hospitals. The refusal of the war
department to recognize those as prop
erly employed who served in the first
three classes mentioned tends to defeat
their title and renders this portion of the
act nugatory. Attention is invited to this
IN order that proper legislation may be
enacted to remove any deserving claim
ant of an unjust and unintentional dis
On the LIST of February, 1896, a new d.
vision was organized in the office of the
secretary by his order and the board
OF pension appeals was thereby merged
In this new division, which was desig-
mated the division of pension affairs. BY
this means all matters relating to the
pensions were brought into one division
10 or ant oYxyfs. sun
ervision. The result has been to harmon
lie and systematic this branch and also
led to it's greater expedition in the hands
Of a competent force.