Middletown transcript., 1901-06-29
COMMISSIONER EVANS

a dignitied reply to General
Sickles, who seems to be the
prime mover in an effort to drive
the commissioner out of Office.
General Evans defends his de-
partment, not SO much for him
self, as he modestly puts it, as
for those who have charge OF
the important work done. He
reminds General Sickles of the
fact that he, Sickles, only two
years ago, was a staunch defen-
der Of the Evans administration
of the Pension Bureau. On
June 10th, 1900, General Sickles
wrote to Generel Evans, saying
that he had written to the Presi-
dent, expressing "utmost conf
dence" in the commissioner and
"the same measure of contempt"
for his critics. It is proper for
General Evans to defend himself
in the way he has. We quote
from the commissioners state
ment in part:
General -Sickles's statement
that the commissioner had a bri-
gade of inspectors who travel all
over the country with the main
object Of defeating pension appli-
cations for one technicality or
another is so lacking in truth
that it is hardly worth replying
to. Just the reverse Of this is
the case. The corps of special
examiners engaged in this work
are authorized by the law, and.
they are gentlemen.
Many Of them are ex-Union
soldiers. They work under a
printed book of instructions,
and in every case sent to them
they are expected to get the facts
whether such facts allow or re-
iect the claim. About 225, 900
claims have been adjucated in
the past twelve months. Not to
exceed $4,000 Of these have
passed through the hands Of the
special examiners referred to.
The principal object in having
this corps Of special examiners
in field operations is to procure
facts upon which to base settle
ments ofaclaims, and their work
instead of retarding the adjudi-
cation Of claims hastens their
settlement.
I have no apologies to make
for my administration of this
great bureau. I have made mis-
takes, no doubt, but I have en-
deavored to be honest with my
government, respecting my oath
of Office, administering the laws
laid down in the practice with
equal justice to all. In this 7
have had the cordial support OF
the many good employees in this
bureau from the highest to the
lowest.
I beg to call attention to the
fact that the disbursements
through this bureau and the
numerous agencies, since 7 cane
here, have amounted to $780,
100000, or more; there have
been no defalcations, no misap-
plication or misrepresentation Of
public funds, there have been no
bounty land scandals or charge
of squandering public lands;
there has been no selling Of aD-
pointments or promotions. Can
more be asked?
Effort has been made to do
justice to all. I have given four
years Of the best efforts Of my
life towards having this Gov
ernment get control Of it's pen
sioning systems, and I am proud
of the results.
General Evans has performed
his duties with fidelity and hon
esty. He has stood for the
deserving soldiers and the wild
ows Of deserving soldiers, and
he has also stood against the
sharpers and looters of the
treasury through the pension
system. General Evans is, per-
haps, the best man who has ever
filed the place, and General
Sickles, through his own words,
has demonstrated that his oppo-
sition is based upon reasons
other than a desire to improve
the service. General Evans
should be retained where he is
- I'll 1.-lo.-I4oI1~ L.