New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-27
STATEMENT BY GEN. .SICKLES
SAYS HE had ASSURANCES THAT COM
MISSIONER EVANS WAS TO
BE REMOVED.

President Mckinley assured me that Commits
sioner Evans was TO be retired from the Pen
sion Bureau last March," said General Daniel
E. Sickles yesterday, after reading the dispatch
from Washington. printed in The Tribune. in
which Commissioner Evans said he could not
understand General Sickles's attitude toward
him. in view Of letters which he had received
from the general General sickles continued:
The President even mentioned the name Of a
man whom he thought of appointing to succeed
Mr. Evans, and asked me what thought Of him.
entire favor and as ] believed the favor OF ali
Grand Army men.
pointment would be made and Mr.. Evans would
Mr. Evans's term expired in March. Why he
hangs on Is more than can understand. unless
through some subtle political pull.
General sickles would not give the name
which he said had been proposed by the Presi-
dent as Mr.. Evans's successor.
In answer TO Mr.. Evanss assertion that until
recently the general had Endorsed his administra-
ton, General Sickles issued the following formal
statement yesterday:
Commissioner Evans has said a good deal in this
mornings papers. but he has not answered what
said yesterday. The question now is whether the
disappointment of Commissioner Evans is expe-
dent The commissioner produces two letters from
Should he be removed from office? l said no-rhat
remove him might be considered reelection mon IN
his conduct in Office which did not seem 10 ma
ing discharge his duties faithfully subseeeD TI
~, IN the autumn OF 1888 ] was appointed by the
the action of the Pension 0fS y lLlN esJIgdte
member OF that committee for two years and
II has been my duty 10 inform myself on the sub
with my colleagues Of The COMMITTEE that Ib ion
appointment Of Commissioner Evans would not be
eA I The veterans Of the country-ninety
out OF every hundred Of them, at least, including
TToloieIs "lao~s-are convinced that Commissioner
endeavors 10 make il appear that the objections 10
ana he mas succeeded IN making the newspapers
oeIepe this story. This is grave mistake Com
tered the duties OF his Office 10 create general
IMPRESSION among those who have occasion to
transact business with il that he IS not fair. that
ne Is too technical in the construction Of the stat
his demands for testimony: that he treats everY
applicant Tor pension with suspicion: that he
ows 70 overcome technical requirements: that he
taanIaihs a large corps OF spies, who about the
e0Uunuy 20 see II they can't find excuses TO reduce
allowances 70 pensioners or TO stop them alto
widows 81 veers,e eIolaes exercised over the
ranteo For these and other reasons the people
enc there are nearly million OF thern-renonstrate
1ssslnst me Ieappolntment Of Commissioner Evans
nave no personal controversy with the Commits
1lener: our relations have always been agreeable
nave endeavored 10 DO him justice but I regard
his reappontment inexpedient These were NV
Views last autumn, when I was asked 10 visit Ohio
was believed the soldiers vote Would he Gec5sia
=, nSo , Dsoe iu,y informed as 70 the sentiments
Was convinced that all appeals to them would be
hat ,is
70 the National Committee in reply 10 their re-
mittee assurances that Commissioner Evans wouId
not De reappcinted. Such assurances were given
last with excellent results The men 70 ygboT
repeated these assurances OF the National Com
mittee call upon me 10 make them good II
Is my duty 10 do Beyond this 1 have no IN
candidate for the once Of Commissioner of P any
sions ] have laid az There facts before the Pres-
oent. J am now making them public. and. far
as am concerned, the subject is dismissed.
The following letters from Commissioner Evans
Illusion from which he now suffers to wit
that the opposition 10 him is confined TO pension
Grand Army. in any State IN the Union, and he
soldiers themselves toward him:
Department Of the Interior. Bureau OF Pensions
Washington. d. G, May % 1899
General Daniel sickles. No. o Fifth-ave.' New
My Dear General: l have your letter Of the
s1th inst ! thank you very much indeed for the
see ANYTHING that ] have done that was incon-
81 al originates from a syndicate OF pension attor
neys here. whom cannot consistently allow Ia
n the IN the past A Of either rn hsy hsEs
reau or running the commissioner They may do
science 70 deal with in the future my own con-
pr hsna ES1 e2py OF fa letter wrote to
yours. II. CLAY EVANS
Commissioner
department Of the Interior, Bureau Of Pensions
General Daniel sickles No. g Fifth-ave. Sew
MY Dear General: have your letter Of the TT,
away. and he told me about the letter that you
had written him. and he seemed TO appreciate Il
deed for this splendid letter II is wonderful vvbs
se shn t ac fn the w soaaTs e x ySsrss az
10 ss ,b thsr egh iasss ageg this pension bust
great army Of interested fellows who are eter