The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-07
ON PENSION AFFAIRS.
Assistant Secretary Reynolds Makes
His Annual Report.
Liberal and Generous Spirit
Guide Of Department.


Washington. Dec 7.-The report OF AS
sistant Secretary of the Interior Rey-
nolds forthe present year shows the policy
pursued in the administration Of PEN
sion affairs. 1t states the important
changes In the rulings and practice and
the following out of a general plan for
securing equity uniformity and justice
In the determination of appeals. The
assistant secretary says:
1.-The liberal and generous spirit which
promised the enactment of the pension
laws has been the guide Of the depart
ment in their construction. Former ad-
Indications have not been disturbed save
where fraud, error in law or mistake was
apparent"
Figures are cited to show the signifi-
cant reduction of pending cases, and to
demonstrate that for the first time in
eight years the work of the office during
the past year was devoted to consider.
ing current appeals. The action Of the
commissioner Of pensions was reversed
In 2066 Of the cases ruled. The report
says:
General satisfaction has followed the
recommendation Of last year for such
lection TO the pension fund due to in
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, 1895, which
secured an extension of cases wherein
payments of accrued pension could be
made, as well as that of the act of March
q lats saex 30 he of
pension under the act of June 27, 1890.
The suggestion is again made as to the
advisability of such legislation as will
lodge in the federal courts the right Of
any one on behalf of the government to
ask better protection to the pension
fund of those laboring under legal dis
abilities. The following also are sug-
gested:
That justice demands an universal ap-
pIication of the common law rule in proof
of marriage. State laws govern and lead
to denial of title in cases which are
equally meritorious.
That the pensionable rights OF minor
children who claim under the act OF
June 81 1890, should be defined, with
more certainty where the soldier dies
leaving no widow.
sionable title of those women who served
as nurses during the War Of the Rebel
lion. Title is confined to those who
served In regimental post, camp, or gen.
eral hospitals. The failure of the wal
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 relieve any deserving
claimants of an unjust and uninten-
tional discrimination.
On Feb. 1, 1896, a new division 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 designated the
division of pension affairs. BY this
means all matters relating to pensions
were brought into one division and under
the assistant secretary's supervision,
with the result to harmonize and sys-
temtize this work, and has also led to
its greater expedition in the hands of q
competent force.