The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-12-10
REPORT ON PENSION AFFAIRS.
Assistant Secretary Renolds Thinks
the Department Is All Right.

Washington, Dec. 6.-The report Of AS
sistant Secretary OF the Interior Reynolds
for the present year shows the policy
pursued in the administration of pension
affairs. 1t states the important changes
in the rulings and practice and the fol-
lowing out of a general plan for secur-
ing equity, uniformity and justice IN
the determination of appeals. The as
sistant secretary says:
1.-THE liberal and generous spirit which
prompted the enactment of pension laws
has been the guide of the department In
their construction. Former adjudications
have not been disturbed save where
fraud, error in the law, or mistake was
apparent"
Figures are cited to show the signih-
canoe of the reduction of pending cases
and to demonstrate that for the first time
In eight years the work of the office dur
ing the past year was devoted to con-
sidering current appeals.
The commissioner of pensions was re-
versed in 2066 of the cases ruled
The report says: General satisfaction
has followed the recommendation of last
year for sucn legislation which will IN
sure better protection to the pension fund
due to 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 g. 1895. which
secured an extension of cases, wherein
payments of accrued pensions could be
made, as well as that of the act of March
G, 1896, relating to the commencement OF
pensions. under act of June 27, 1890.
A Number of Suggestions.
The suggestion Is again made as to the
advisablllty of such legislation as VIII
lodge in the federal courts the right OF
any one on behalf of the government to
| 80 ftt,, al
of those slumberlng under legal disa-
biities. 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, 1880
should be defined with more certainty
where the soldier leaves no widow sur
| viving. The act of August 5. 1892, re
| lates to the pensionable title of those
| who served as nurses during the war OF
| the rebellion. Title is confined to those
who served In regimental posts camp OF
general hospitals. The refusal of the wal
| department to recognize those as prop
| erly employed who served In the frs
| three classes mentioned tends to defea
| their title and renders this portion of thu
| act nugatory. Attention Is invited to thl
| In order that proper legislation may b
| enacted to remove any deserving claim
ant of an unjust and unintentional dis
| elimination.
On the 1st of February, 1896, new di
vision was organized in the Office of tn
| secretary by his order and the boar
| of pension appeals was thereby MERGE
| In this new division, which was desis
mated the division of pension affairs Il
this means all matters relating to tn
pensions were brought into one divisio
and under the assistant secretary's sup
ervision. The result has been to harmon
ize and systematic this branch and ais
led to its greater expedition In the hand
| of q competent force.