The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1902-07-07
JENNINGS Is HOME
FROM WASHINGTON
Florida's G0Yefnsr Returns from Visit
to National Capital.
HIS TRIP WAS SUCCESSFUL
Rumor Says Treasury Department
Has Issued Warrant for $751;
647.O2, the Amount of In
dian War Claim-How 1t
May Be Spent.

Tallahassee. Fla, July 6.-(Special)-
Governor Jennings has returned from
Washington and soon after his arrival
in Tallahassee came a rumor that the
treasury department in Washington had
issued warrant for S6Sl ,6i0. the
amount In full of the Indian war claim
This does not include the states per-
centages on land sales for many years
back. amounting to something like sl15.-
900.
The governor expresses himself as well
pleased with the success of his trip to
the national capital. lie evidently has
good reason to be and IL will soon he
up to the people of Florida to decide
upon the disposition of their loose change
The good roads advocates are morally Ger
tain TO put I'm their claim for a share
of the proceeds; the educational cnthuSl-
asst Is also likely to be heard from IN
this connection. while the voice OF con-
servatism is certain TO be raised in favor
of retiring some of the states bond
ed Indebtedness.
The fact that the Indian war claims
warrant has at last been issued will al
lay the apprehensions of those who fear
ed that the WALES brothers might IN
some way secure their commission on
the claim before the money left the trea-
sury. The heirs of the late Colonel VIII
liam X Beard. of this city, who had a
half interest in the WALES claim. We're
somewhat apprehcnsive on this score,
and, IL is said. have retained well
known Tallahassee lawyer TO protect their
interests.
The fact that congress recently passed
the Indian war pension bill seems To
misapprchension among the survivors of
both the Seminole and civil wars. The
bill in question applies only TO the sur
vivors of the Indian war, although OF
course, some of the confederate veterans
may also find themselves beneiiciaries
under the act But very general misap-
prehension as to the proper mode Of
pa oceuure IN THESE matters seems 10 pre-
vail among those interested.
Pension Matter Transferred.
Many years ago all pension matters
were in the hands of the adjutant gem
eral, but the last constitutional conven-
ton transferred this business TO spe-
cial pension board, composed of the gov
ernor, the comptroller general and the
attorney general. Nevertheless, Adjutant
General Forster still finds himself In re
ceipt of applications for pensions. which
he can dispose of only by turning them
over to the board.
The last legislature enacted a bill bear
ing on this subject, and with a view of
eulightening those Interested in the mat
ter the pension board, through its secre-
tary. c. III. Dickinson, has issued cir
cular letter in part as follows:
The law provides that The widow of
a pension under this act, OF from the
state by any former act AT the time of
his death shall be entitled to
the benefits of this act Thus it Will be
seen that the examiners are limited TO
applications of widows of soldiers or
sailors actually receiving pensions under
our law at date of death
The only other qucst ton raised on this
subject bv the following clause Of the
same section, which reads. Or who would
be entitled 10 apply under this act.
meaning, of course the widow of a SOL
dier or sailor who would bc entitled To
apply for a pension under this act Thus
1t must appear that the soldier or sailor
entitled To apply under this act was liv-
ing on the ist day Of October, 1901. when
this act took effect. Therefore. the board
of pension examiners cannot consider the
application of a widow whose husband
was not living on the lst day Of OctO-
Der. 1901. unless the husband was receiv-
ing a pension under our law prior TO Oc-
tober /, 1901"
The language Of the above act is so
conclusive that but one construction can
be put upon IT, namely-that no widow
whose husband was not living October /.
1901. is under its provisions entitled 10
IA pension. Such is the construction put
upon the law by every lawyer to whom
1t has been submitted. Nevertheless
Comptroller Groom, from whose Office the
pension warrants are issued. finds himself
accused Of turning down deserving wild
ows, while his predecessor, the late W.
L old 81
a matter of fact. Mr. Reynolds died
months before the net In question went
into effect. and neither the present comp
troller nor the pension board. of which he
is a member, can justly be censured for
enforcing the law as they find il.