The Sunday globe., 1901-07-14
COMMISSIONER EVANS
"NO Wonder His Removal is De-
sired" says the Writer.

Slred,' says the writer.
To EDITOR OF THE GLOBE:
1t appears that every time the ex-
Union soldiers of the United States
make a complaint through their rep
resentatives. Of the unjust actions of
a Commissioner Of Pensions, a cry goes
throughout a certain press of the coun-
try that it is all done for political ef-
feet Ii should be borne in mind that
the eX-soldiers of the Union army are
not now, and never were of one and
the same political faith They were
merely patriots then. The eX-soldiers
know that the same press was in their
rear during the whole period Of the
war. and that there was then nothing
too bad that could be thought of that
was not said Of them.
Laws have been passed by the Con
gress of the United States, at various
times on and since July IA, 1862, grant
ing and increasing pensions to the SOL
diers who have defended their cOun-
try against its enemies.
These soldiers know the rights that
have been granted them. When they
apply for the pensions to which they
know they are entitled under the laws,
they do not do so as politicians, nor
do they feel that their party fealty has
anything to do with the allowance or
rejection of their claims. When the
claims which they have made are ad-
versely considered, after having fully
complied with the laws and the rules
of practice Of the Bureau, they have a
ugnt TO ask why. They know they
have undergone a medical examination
by three Of the most reputable physi-
clans and surgeons OF their neighbor-
mood, who have found and given pen
sionable rates on the disabilities al.
legged.
n there is no record in the War De-
partment, the soldier files the testi-
mony Of his officers, comrades, sur
geons and hospital stewards of the
regiment in establishing the claims
made. When this evidence is ignored
and thrown out by the officers of the
Pension Bureau, it is their right to
ask why.
Under several administrations in the
Bureau-and the present administra-
uon is no eXception-the names Of
thousands of pensioners have been
recklessly dropped from the rolls,
while other pensioners have been re.
duCed to the minimum for no cause
or I'm any sense Of Justice or right,
The eX-soldiers throughout the coun.
try, before the breaking out of the
Spanish War, were asking for the re.
moyal Of Mr.. Evans, but because of
that war, ceased their complaints in
order to remove the embarrassment
from the then overtaXed President.
Later at the close of the war the Pres
ident was again approached upon the
subject of Mr. Evans removal, and it
was tacitly understood that Mr. Evans
would be called upon to go at the be-
ginning of the new administration.
IL is now claimed by some of the
newspapers that it would be sacrificing
Mr.. Evans were the President to call
upon him to get down and out because
Of his known and shown incompetency.
Who is Mr.. Evans? Has he ever done
anything for the country? Has he ever
done anything for the soldier? Has
he ever done anything for the Repub-
lican paTty2 II so, what? Has he not
been feeding at the Government crib
for years Has he not been a barnacle
to the body polite and isn't be a dis
grace 10 the Republican party Of the
South, to-day? In the name Of God,
how could such a man be sacrificed?
The man who is entrusted with the
duties Of the Office of the Commission
er of Pensions should be large enough
and broad enough TO be liberal to the
soldier and just to the Government.
There is no sense in trying TO fit
mental dwarf into the shoes Of man
who should be a mental hercules.
Mr. Evans is prejudtced against the
allowance Of Union soldiers pension
claims perforce Of a long association
with a people always prejudiced be-
cause of their being taxed, as they
claim. 10 help pay a large pension sum
out Of which they derive no financial
return
Less than three months ago a New
Hampshire soldiers claim, on which
he was rated By a board OF examining
surgeons. for malaria, Sl2; gunshot
wound Of right wrist "a rheumatism,
SO. catarrh. &c and for deafness OF
both ears. 81. or, in other words, rat
ing of SAC for combined disabilities, yet
Mr. Evans medical referee, under IN
gtructions. rejected claim because claim
ant was not ratably disabled under the
act of June o. 1890. thousands ol
other claimants have been treated the
same way. yet these same newspaper
claim Mr.. Evans IS conscientiously ad
ministering the pension laws.
Can YOU wonder why the old soldiers
complain and have the temerity to ash
for Mr.. Evans REMOVAL
AN OBSERVER.