Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1880.djvu/57

Rh of the files to correspond, has been of great advantage to the service.

The report refers to the subject of Indian pensions, on account of service in three regiments of Indian home guards, raised in the Indian Territory. In 1879 the Commissioner detailed two special agents to visit the Territory and investigate the claims upon their merits. The investigation was successful and the claimants are about to be paid their dues; a large sum of accrued pension is due in each case, which, under the law, must be paid by check issued by the pension agent. The Commissioner says that there are no banks or other financial institutions in the Territory upon which the pensioners can depend to exchange at a reasonable rate current money for their pension checks, and the pensioners are in danger of being overreached and defrauded of their pensions by unscrupulous speculators and adventurers, who infest the Indian and border settlements, unless some precaution shall be taken for their protection, and he recommends legislation to authorize the accrued pension to be paid in installments not to exceed $200 each, as a measure of protection.

There are about 2,450 pensioners residing at the various branches of the homes for disabled volunteer soldiers, whose pensions annually amount to about $300,000, which have been paid to the treasurer of the home and disbursed under the direction of the managers, who claim that this course is justified by the law and necessary in order to secure proper discipline and good order among the inmates. The Commissioner is of opinion that the law does not provide for the payment of these pensions in this manner, and requests that the subject be brought to the attention of Congress, so that the duties of the Commissioner of Pensions and managers of the home in relation to these pensions be more clearly defined.

Legislation to authorize the payment of the pensions to the wives and children of insane or imprisoned invalid pensioners is recommended.

The report also recommends legislation to authorize the pensions of minor children to be commenced at the date of the last payment to the widow of the soldier in cases where she has remarried and concealed the fact, and continued to draw the pension.

It also recommends legislation to enable the Commissioner to dispose more equitably of claims for increase of pension than can now be done under the law, and providing for the review of unjust rates of pension which have been established under a mistake.

The report next deals with the subject of attorneys' fees. It calls attention to the fact that since the act of June 20, 1878, there is doubt whether the penal provisions of section 4785, Revised Statutes, can be enforced against attorneys, and recommends an amendment to dispose of the doubtful construction.

It also recommends legislation to protect the department and