New-York tribune., 1899-07-27
COMMISSIONER EVANS TO REMAIN.
REPORT THAT HE IS TO BE TRANSFERRED
AT THE REQUEST OF THE G. A.
r DENIED

Washington. July 26 (speciaD.-The report that
the Commissioner OF Pensions, II. c. Evans, may
be transferred to some other bureau the re-
quest of the Grand Army OF the Republic. lacks
founds ton.
Il do not believe" said member OF the Cabinet
to-day that the Government will encourage at
tacks upon official for doing his duty. especially
when that official has shown a great deal CT back
bone In doing 1t
Commissioner Evans. since he has been at the
head OF the Pension Bureau has given the United
States an administration and been absolutely
fair with the pensioners. The mistakes OF others
have been laid at his door, but his loyalty has for
hidden him TO speak and place the responsibility
where 1t belongs. People do not, or will not under
stand that the Commissioner OF Pensions is a
bureau official subject entirely to the orders OF the
Secretary OF the Interior. and II the latter s not
satisfied with the construction placed upon his rules
and regulations by the Commissioner Of Pensions 1t
is for him 10 indicate changes and for the COM
missioner. as a subordinate. to follow them IL Is
impossible thing 10 satisfy the pension attorneys
and their clients and at the same time be a con-
scientious officer.
Il have noticed" said friend Of the Commis-
sioner. the statement that he was TO be trans
ferred to some other department; that the Grand
Army desires II. and that the Pension Committee OF
that great body will al the next encampment,
make an adverse report on Commissioner Evans Tor
the manner in which he has conducted his Depart
ment. These things. believe. have been prompted
by the enemies OF Commissioner Evans. When the
investigating committee was in Washington 1t was
my privilege to talk with OF its members, ana
| everything he said indicated that the committee
| was most agreeably surprised the eminent fair
ness of the Commissioner, deprecated the attacks
that had been made upon him. and said that the
| comrades OF the Grand Army would be glad 10 hear
! their report So it would that there is noth-
ing In this charge that the committee VIII cTtlclse
! Commissioner Evans in its report NOW as 70 tne
transfer Does any politician eXpeci the fIeslIeIe
| TO remove a man who has been honest ana fearless
in the administration Of the most important puredu
| of the Government Why We would nave Dlseei
scandal than the War Department gave US -,
| Another said. The assertion that a petition toi
Eyanss removal has been signed by six thousand OLD
soldiers I'm Ohio who assert that II ne II retdtr ~
they will not vote the Republican icket, Is IN
credible. In my opinion, paseo upon fppWSbI
the battles OF the Republic both IN the nelu tI. "
during the last thirty-four years IN civ ne & on.'
soldiers not made Of the stun that Woulo caus aus.
them TO change their political faith for loaves am
! fishes A man who had the courage and patrlotlsH
! TO volunteer for service in the Union Army az
time when TO do exposed MIN 10 propaoie ued5 % u u
| and has since his discharge voted either tne re
publican or Democratic ticket Is too solid cltlzei
| 10 be swerved from his allegiance by any GCesto3i
/ OF personal interest ! do not believe the hepuon
| have made the threat referred TO- II the slgner
/ are Democrats who intend voting for Mr.. Bryai
| in any event then. of course. the object OF eN
| plotting the petition is merely political trlck
/ The soldiers Of lS6l-'65 are growing old, and ar
| the prey Of many of the ills which old mem nesi
/ Is heir 10, but there is not malady 10 which Ine,
subject that is not preferaoe 10 tne @ nOu1Gn ii
, they receive from politicians, who. 70 accomplsI
their selfish ends parade them with all thelr sores
before unsympathizing public, neeclng them o
their votes by false promises nlchlhs from 49,
} their good name honestly won upon the oattleneld
l and holding them ND 10 the scOrn Of a generation
/ unborn when their glorious record was made