davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
EvaNs.s rRIcKrRv

Commissioner Evans makes frivolous,
foolish, misleading, time-consuming re-
quirements of applicants under the act Of
June 27. 1890; namely,
(a) Requiring evidence of continued, ex-
istence of alleged disabilities from date
of application, Notwithstanding that their
existence in a pensionable degree has been
ascertained by the official medical examina-
| ton, and this requirement is made indis-
criminately and without regard to the
brevity of the period between the filing OF
the application and the medical examina-
ton, on the apparent supposition that the
claimant may not have had the alleged
disabilities when he filed the application,
though he did have them when examined;
(b) Requiring that all evidence shall
name the disabilities claimed on, notwith-
standing that the witnesses are laymen,
and therefore presumed to be incompetent
to give the name of the disease or disability,
and notwithstanding that the precise name
or character of the disability has already
been determined by medical examination;
(c) Requiring evidence as to disabilities
not claimed on but apparently discovered
on medical examination, Notwithstanding
that said additional disabilities are not
sufficient to and do not enter into the rating
allowed;
I'D Requiring evidence of "non-vicious
no 1DifcD wit, 10 i,,i,, allanaI
notwithstanding that the injury was in
CURED in childhood or under other cir
cumstances precluding vicious habits as a
contributory cause;
(e) Requiring evidence after medical ex-
animation or under other circumstances
leading any intelligent person to believe
that a pensionable degree of disability is
conceded. and, nevertheless, after the adj
ditional evidence is filed. rejecting the
claim on the ground Of "no disability;
QD Requiring full evidence by stereotyped
calls, in general law claims, after it is clear
from the claimants allegations and the
official reports of the War Department
that the practically Indispensable record
or medical evidence is not obtainable; per
mitting claimants to incur the expense and
experience the delays of adjudication and
entertain the delusive hope that the sec
ondary evidence furnished by them in
accordance with the stereotyped require
ments will be regarded as acceptable, where
as it is notorious among persons observant
of the present practice of the Pension Office
that it is only exceptionally that a general
law claim of the war Of the rebellion is
allowed without record or medical evidence
as to the origin of the alleged disabilities.
Evans must go.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

PROF. SCHURMAN does good thiny,
in reminding the people that there is no
such thing as Filipino Nation. There
are over 90 distinct tribes in the archipela-
go, speaking languages as different as
those of Europe, and having no common
bond of union, but rather hating and fight
ing each other bitterly. Only the Tagals
are fighting us, and they are forcing in
such other tribes as they can coerce. But
none of the other tribes are friendly to Us.
Their experience with the Spaniards makes
them rather the reverse, and to distrust and
fear us.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
THE COMMISSIONERS CONDENSATION

Never, since the Impeachment Of Andrew
johnson, has there been such condemna-
ton of a public officer rs the National En-
campment presented TO the President in the
case of Commissioner Evans. He was
convicted of false construction of some laws,
of perversion of and notification Of others.
His sophistry about the meaning of the act
of June 27, 1890, was brushed away with
contemptuous comparison as to his legal
knowledge and that of such eminent law.
yers as Benjamin Harrison and John w.
Noble. He was not left an excuse or a pre-
text for his course. The Encampment
properly thought it unworthy its dignity
and OF the high Office of President of the
| United States TO suggest what action
should be taken in such case. Sitting as
jury it presented unanimous verdict as
to the facts TO the Chief Executive sitting as
Judge, and there left it. The action OF
the Encampment will soon be officially pre-
sented to the President by the Commander
in-Chief and the Special Pension Commit
tee. We wait with intense interest to see
what action shall be taken upon it,
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
A TRIP TO THE
MASSAI STEPPES.
A Thrilling Narrative of a
Journey into the Lands
of the Black Savages of
Central Africa.

We take pleasure in announcing to our
readers that next week we shall begin a
serial narrative of journey into German
Equatorial Africa that possesses unusual
interest.
It is written by Capt. C. Nolte, of the Ger
man army, and while there are many
features of the expedition will thoroughly
engage the interest of our readers, old and
young.
The tour was one for the purpose of
general survey of the country and its re-
sources, and observation as to the charac-
ter of the people, with the further object
of planting a station to domesticate Zebras
and other native African beasts of burden
which would be safe from the sting of the
tse-tse fly, fatal to most European domes-
tic animals. The story abounds in thrill
sng hunting adventures and experiences
with the black savages of Central Africa.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
ANOTHER OF EvANS'S FAKES.
Evens's literary bureau has sent out IL
following to the papers of the country:

following to the papers of the country:
WASHINGTON, d. c., Sept. S-A
delegation of veterans who have been at
tending the Encampment at Philadelphia
was received at the White House by the
President to-day. The delegation con-
sisted Of Indiana men from the neighbor-
hood of West Terre Haute. 1t was headed
by Richard Mcllroy. At the conclusion Of
the interview Mr.. Mcilroy stated that lie
and his comrades had come to see the Presi-
dent TO express their confidence in Com
missioner Evans, Of the Pension Bureau,
and to say that his administration of the
Office met with their approval. They told
the President that the better element of the
GA X. was fully satisfied that Commits
sioner Evans had done his duty fairly and
honestly and to such limit as was allowed
by the law"
MIR. Mcllroy said that in response the
President said he was glad to hear such
sentiments expressed and TO know that MIR.
Evans had such stanch friends. He con-
cluded by expressing his own confidence in
MIR. Evans and by saying that he expected
to stand by him.
II is not known at the White House when
the committee appointed by the National
Encampment will come to Washington, but
they are expected within few days.
This bears all the marks of being manu-
factured for the occasion. Who Richard
McIlroy" is we have no idea. We can not
find his name in any Indiana roster, nor
have we ever heard his name before in the
more than 80 years that we have been
closely connected with the Grand Army of
the Republic 1t was amazing impudence
! to put up a man of straw to speak for 'the
better element of the GA. r."
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

IT seems that we have to begin at the
Gen. Ludlow suppressed Habana news
paper for gross obscenity, and the pro
prietors appealed to Secretary Root, OF
the ground that it was an interference with
the liberty Of the press. The Judges will
not punish public employees whom oul
officers send before them for peculation
because official stealing has never beer
considered crime in Cuba. Yet people
talk about se.f-government for the Gu
bans.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
REUNION ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Cos and B and Regimental band, 1st
Conn. H. A, at Torrington, Conn.,, Sept
81. John C. Taylor, Secretary, State
House. Hartford, Conn.
10th H. Cav, in Senate Judiciary Com
mittee Room, State Capitol, Springfield, at
1 o'clock and o'clock p. m, Sept. 26. Jno.
G.. Springer. Secretary, Springfield, Ill.
39th Ill. (YatesPhalanx) at Wilmington,
H.. Oct. 4. VIM. r. Morley, Secretary,
Arlington, Iowa.
10Th ILL.,, at Ridge Farm, H., Oct and 8.
G. w. Patton, Secretary, Paris. Ill.
117th H., in Room II, East Wing, Capitol
Building, Springfield, H., Sept. 20. Coils.
Moore and Merriam and other old officers
will be present. A. F. Weaver Secretary,
Nokomis, Ill.
23d Ind. Battery, at New Haven, Ind,
Oct. 26. Levi Craig, Secretary, Majenica,
Ind.
10th Ind, at Ligonier, Ind, Oct. 5.
Emory G. Melendy, Secretary, Fremont,
Ind.
57th Ind, at New Castle, Ind, Oct 4 and
5. Mark NJ. Morris, New Castle, ind.
18th Ind. Cav. in Superior Court Room,
Court House. Indianapolis, Sept. n. Amos
4. Cavott, President, and S. E. Collins,
Secretary, indianapolis, ind.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
The Custer Relic Cannon.

A feature of the parade of the Army of
West Virginia at the Philadelphia En-
campment was the famous old Custer
cannon and the old division flag. The can
non was made in 1876 of relics, such as spear
heads, buckles, bugles, and trophies capt
ured by the Army of West Virginia. These
We're collected by Comrade Joseph Tra1, Of
New Castle, Pa, who has been custodian
of the cannon.
In the parade were just 123 survivors Of
the old division, and to eight of these was
assigned the honor Of pulling the cannon:
Two of those chosen for this duty had lost
arms in the service. The National salute
of As rounds was fired while in line. At
all points the survivors of Clusters Di-
vision were cheered, and when passing
the reviewing stand they saluteG the Presi-
dent, who recognized the boys by waving
his hat.
Comrade Trax is Gen. Clusters old Or
derly. During his visit to Philadelphia
he was presented with handsome medal
by the Committee of Arrangements.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
QUESTIONS TO WIDOWS.

Commissioner Evans claims that any
Special Examiner who goes beyond the
printed instructions exceeds his powers
Those instructions say:
special Examiners must never question
the claimant as to whether she has violated
the act of Aug. Z, 1882, unless the circum-
stances of the case or the evidence procured
shall show that she has been living in
adultery since the death of the soldier and
the enactment of said law"
We wish that any comrade or widow Of a
comrade who knows of questions being
asked of widows concerning their chastity
by Special Examiners will report the facts
concerning same, giving name of widow
circumstances, number of claim, questions
asked, and name of Special Examiner
Address,
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, Washington
D. C.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

WHILE the Chicago Trust Conference
did not pass any resolutions, or adopt any
plan for dealing with trusts, it undoubt-
edly did a great deal of good in arousing
peoples attention ON the subject, and
furnishing them with correct starters in
way to stop the present fatulent and fruit
less defamation against trusts, per Sc.
At first the Conference listened with some
patience to the man who had come filled
to OVERLOOKING with phrases and periods.
A little later he was quickly laughed down.
The general consensus Of opinion in which
all joined-Free Traders, Protectionists,
Single Takers, Socialists, Labor Leaders,
etc.-was that a trust is not necessarily a
bad thing. 1t is5only' bad when it is bad.
The tendency of trusts is to cheaper pro-
duction, to improve products, and to pay
higher prices for superior labor and ability.
Moreover, they 8 are necessary logical
step in manufacturing and commercial
progress. The problem was to retain all
their good features, and lop off the bad
ones. Bourke Coekran's plan is to de-
prive them of every vestige of Government
favor, and compel the utmost publicity to
all their operations. Bryan did not fully
outline his method, OF course, the Single
Takers thought that by taking away their
right to own land they could be effectually
dealt with. Others talked very sensibly
about improper advantages trusts had
through favors from railroads. This un-
doubted truth had the disadvantage of
developing two opposing factions, one of
which sees no remedy but the Government
ownership of railroads, while the other
wants merely strict Government regula-
ton Of the roads. The representatives of
organized labor We're not all averse to
trusts, but saw a great deal of good in
theR, while the Socialists hailed them as
a long step toward their ideals, when the
Government shall own and manage all
public utilities"
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

IT seems incredible that there shall be
actual war between Great Britain and the
South African Republic. This means the
destruction Of the latter. and they can moi
help knowing 1t. Though the Beers
achieved successes in previous conflicts
with the British, this was because the latter
underated them, and blundering regi.
There will be nothing of the kind in the
future. But it certainly seems that in the
interests of humanity, diplomacy should
find some honorable way TO avoid conflict
which no one wants
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
PERSONAL.

Commander-in-C Chief w. c. johnson has
been deeply exercised about his son, DIR
Walter X. johnson, who has teen lying il
with typhoid fever at Atlanta. At one time
it was feared that it would prevent the
Commander-in-Chief from being present al
the National Encampment, and it did keer
Mrs. Johnson away. DIR. johnson. who
is one of the promising young physicians of
Cincinnati, offered his services to the Gov
ernment at the outbreak of the Spanish war.
and has been ever since in the service.
The Commander-in-Chief went to him i'm.
mediately after the adjournment of the En-.
campment.
George S. Vaughn, who died recently
at Marysville, Mo-, was the object of Lin.
coins last official act. He enlisted in the
rebel army from Canton, Mo-, and after
the battle of Tupelo made his way through
the Union lines on a visit to his home
AS he was returning he was arrested as a
spy, and taken to St Louis to be shot
Senator Henderson, who knew him, sue.
ceeded in getting him two new trials. but
at both he was convicted. Senator Hen.
derson then went to President Lincoln and
asked for his pardon as matter of policy
Lincoln was dressed to go to the theate1
when he signed the pardon, and handed il
to Senator Henderson.
English scholars are paying a high
compliment to Capt. Thomas Wilson, of
the United States National Museum. for
his scholarly monograph on the .Swastika, .
which was noticed at length in The Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE some time ago. Capt
Wilson served in an Iowa regiment, and is
a member of the GAR.
Gen. Alger has decided to withdraw from
the Senatorial contest, in order to devote
himself to his business
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
81 KIEGG.

81 Klegg and Shorty, with number of
the 2ooth Ind, disappeared after the Re-
union at NATIONAL TRIBUNE head
quarters in Philadelphia, and have not
been heard from since. It is likely that
their numerous admirers in the Army of
the Potomac tolled them off to ettysburg to
show them "how we fellers done it here, >
and they have been having such a good
time with the hospitable comrades who
wore queer red. white and blue patches
on their caps that they have not had time
to write.
They will be heard from neext wek.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

LAST week Secretary Gage relieved the
money stringency in New York by ordering
the bondholders paid in advance the interest
due them next month. This will amount 10
still further relieve" it by paying the pen
sioners the s4,91c, 900 which Congress
appropriated, but Evans has turned back
into the Treasury. AS it has been for 81
years, the bondholders are the first con-
sideration. The soldiers can wait
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
EVANS MEETS A REBUFF.

We have AMI 6thers illustration OF how
Evans perverts dawa'to suit his own pur-
poses. March 3, 1899, Congress passed a
law providing that when a veteran en-
tered a Soldiers Home his wife or children
should be entitled to oone-half his pension.
Evans issued an order that no pension
attorney should be recognized in such
cases. firm Of pension attorneys ap
pealed from this, claiming the right tc
represent their clients Assistant Secre
tary Davis and the Board of Pension Ap.
peals sustained the appeal, and ordered
| Evans to reverse his order. Evans went
| to the Secretary of the Interior,-E. A.
Hitchcock protested against this.
The Secretory finally sustained Evans,
| and instructed Davis to reverse his decision.
Thereupon Davis insisted that it was a
| cardinal principle of our institutions that
| every one has the right to be represented
by an attorney. Davis took his decision,
and returned to the Board of Appeals.
After consultation the Board unanimously
SSi-
the Chairman, returned to the Secretary 8
office, and made this statement. What
took place in the Secretary s room is merely
rumored, but rumor says that Assistant
Secretary Davis fatty refused to reverse
his decision, and told the Secretary that if
such decision was made it must be by
the Secretary himself. This set the Secre-
tary to thinking, and ne finally decided
that it would be safer to get the judgment
of some legal expert, and the matter was
referred to Assistant Attorney-G General
Vandeventer, who, in an elaborate opinion,
sustained Assistant Secretary Davis, and
declared that Evans's order was unlawful.
Secretary Hitchcock signed the opinion,
but that is as far as it will go. Evans
will continue to ignore the law.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

Diocese of Newark. N. j., have placed
themselves right beyond any shadow of
doubt They do not waste any time or
words by denouncing alliances with Eng
land, or other non existent things, but say
boldly and squarely:
although we are Americans of German
origin, we will do all in our power to pre-
vent a rupture between Germany and
America; yet in case of war between the
two countries we will devote our means,
and, if necessary, our lives, to defend our
adopted country, the United States of
America, and the land of liberty"
This is Americanism of the right sort,
and what we have always expected of
Germans.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

ONE soldier-hating paper is likely to have
court. 1t will he remembered that last Sum-
mer a sensation was caused in Philadelphia
by the case of Daniel Oberly, a veteran who
arrived in the city in pitiable condition,
ever from the Pension Bureau. to which he
had applied in person, after years of waiting
to having his claim allowed. The news
papers of the city spoke of the case, and it
was mentioned that Oberly claimed to have
belonged to Co. E, S4th Pa. 1t happened
that the Captain of that company and
former Adjutant of the regiment was Chas.
Merchant, a prominent lawyer OF the city
and leading man in many respects. He
became interested in the case, recognized
the man, was satisfied of the truth Of his
assured. him that Oberly's condition was
due to paralysis resulting from gunshot
wound. 1t was decided to bring the case to
the attention of the National Encampment
The Pension Bureau attempted to break
the force of this by publications to the effect
that Oberly's condition is the result of a
disgraceful disease, and Gen. st. Clair
Mulholland succeeded in having publica-
ton in the Philadelphia Times to this effect,
and in preventing any counter-statement.
Capt. Merchant has therefore instructed
his attorney to bring suit against the
Times and Gen. Mulholland for slander
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

COMMISSIONER EVANS had his de-
tectives in full force at the National En-
campment and they informed him the night
before the Encampment met that the fight
against him had 4fizzled out" That is
about the character of the news that Evans
gets
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

THERE are some of the delegates to the
Peace Congress still lingering around
London, and it must delight them at the
success of their work, to see the docks
crowded with soldiers and war material
destined for South Africa. And neither
the English nor the Beers whisper a word
about arbitration.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

IN the future it is TO cost any white man
81 900 to marry a Chickasaw maiden.
A man will have 10 want to get married
mighty bad TO pay that much for bride of
the color of ditching tile, and her only
idea of the use of water being for drinking.
But, then, he will enter the most exclusive
landholding aristocracy in the country.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

The NEW YORK Telegraph fears that
President Mckinley is being misled by his
Kitchen Cabinet" If Kitchen Cabinet
is another name for Henry Clay Evans, yes
decidedly, yes.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

ONE will have to go far in history to
find parallel to the amazing bluff which
handful of Beers are putting up against
the mighty British Nation.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

The hardest thing that the Washington
police have to do is to break up crap and
policy playing among the negroes. There
is an almost daily list of players and writers
arrested and set to hard work, but the
gambling goes on all the same,
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

THE Dreyfus 1court-martial had every
reason for being impartial. 1t would
have caught it just as badly whichever
way it decided. .
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

MR.. EVANS threatens to reveal some
facts" That would be an agreeable vari-
alton for him. Let's have them by all
means.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21
SITUATION IN PORTO RICO.

The Cabinet has been discussing quite
earnestly lately the question of civil gov
ernment for Porto Rico and Cuba 1t is
thought by the Administration that Porto
Rico will be in condition for civil govern
Inent in about 30 days. The details of
but the main idea is to substitute civil for
military Governors. AS to Cuba, no
attempt of this kind, it is decided will be
made until after the census is taken. This
will reveal something of the desires of the
people as to future government Moth
ing definite as to the Philippines will be
done at once, owing to conflicting con-
ditionS.
Porto Rico is slow in recovering from the
devastation of the hurricane of the first
part of August. Gen. G. W. Davis, Gov
ernor-General, reports:
''I'he fruit and most of the food crops of
the island are totally destroyed. Upon
these, as you well know, the people sub
SiSt, living from hand to mouth, and with
out these there is nothing intrinsic in Porto
Rico, nor any food reserve, upon which
they can live until a new crop is produced.
Neither have they the means of purchasing
food, even were it here in abundance.
II believe that the great problem to be
solved is more question of food than any
thing else, and TO supply this every effort
should be bent. For many weeks we must
prepare to feed not less than quarter of
ptOpiC ttlt tsfi III CGLIl DiIliS
forth fresh supplies" The Commissary
Department of the Army will ship contri-
buttons of provisions to Porto Rico until
further orders.
THE PHILIPPINES.
The War Department is still actively at
work enlisting the new regiments and
sending troops to the Philippines. A
great number of men and supplies will go
forward this month.
The President has summoned Col. DENLY
and Prof. Worcester, members of the Phil
ippine Commission, to Washington for
consultation.
The transport Tartar, conveying dis
charged volunteers to San Francisco
stopped at Hongkong, and was detained
there by the British authorities because
under British law she was overloaded; upon
representation by the American authori-
ties she was released and proceeded on her
way.
The steamer Saturnus, which carried
SAG, 900 in cash and a very valuable cargo,
from Manila for San Fernando de La Union,
and other Philippine ports, was captured
by insurgents, and burned. after being
rified of the cargo. She belonged to the
Colnpania Martina. 1t is generally be-
fieved that portion of the crew, and per-
hapS some of the passengers, were in league
with the rebels, and knowing that the
insurgents had concealed battery planted
there, ran the vessel ashore under the
rebel guns at San Fernando, so as to make
the looting more easy.
The National tribune., 1899-09-21

The chronological Division of the
Agricultural Department has cleared Tur-
tie Mountain, N. d., of the charge that it
is the breeding-gro of destructive
swarms of locusts. The bugologists say
that the country around Turtle Mountain
is very unfayorable for grasshopuer
hatchery, but that the pests are another
one of our troubles with Canada, for they
seem to come from the Assiniboine country.