Can Earn A Living

Detroit, July 'Vi.- The most sensational thing that has yet come to lighi relative to the so-called purging of the pension list is the suspension of a no less distinguished pensioner than Justice Charles Dean Long, of the Michigan supreme court. Few soldiers in this state suffer from wounds as seTere as those of Justice Long. At the battle of Wilniington Island, Ga., he lost his left arm and he was also shot through the hips and abdomen. This latter wound has still to be dressed twice daily. Although the order of suspension bears date of June 27, Mr. Long has not yet received official notice of its issuance. Washington, D. C, July 24.- Touching the suspension of the pension of Justice Charles Dean Long, of the Michigan supreme court, it has been ascertained that Judge Long was in receipt of $72 a month for the loss of his left arm above the elbow and a gunshot wound in his left hip. Second Deputy Commissioner Bell says: "Report being made that in spite of his belng pensioned for 'total helplessness, requirlng the regular aid and attendanc of another person, ' he was performing his duties as a justtc of the suprem oourt of Michigan at a salary of 17,000 per annum. the bureau naturally oam to the conclusión that an invesligation of the case was demandad aDd suspension followed acsordinirlT, on the ground that the performance of duty as justice of the supreme court of Michigan at a salary of Ï7.000 per annum was hardly consistent with 'total helplessness requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. ' "The papers on file in this cas show a peculiar and extraordinary statfl of affairs. Th pensioner haa not been examined since Maren iïi, 1884, at which time the board at Washington, D. C, rated him at $.' per month. In August, 1884, this pension was increased to 850 per month from March 21, 1884, the date of the last medical examinaron, at which time this rate contemplated helplessness or a degree of disability so nearly approaehing helplessness that the 'regular aid and attendance of another person, was required. In May, 1SS9, Mr. Long's pension was rerated and increased by Commissioner Tanner and an allowancc made of Ï50 per moüth from June 4, 1874, the date of the law establishing the S50 rate. and $72 per month from June 17, 1878, the date of the law establishing that rate of pension. The rerating and Increase of pension were made on the personal order of Commissioner Tanner. In August, 1889, Commissioner Tanner granted a second rerating at th rate of Í25 per month from June 6, 1866; and 881.25 from June 4, 1872 This constituted an increase of 110 per month from June 6, 1809, and $13.25 from June 4, 1872, to June 4, 1874. No application for increasc or rorating wa3 ever made by Mr. Long subsequent to August. 1884. when hls psnsion was increased to Ï50 per month, except a letter written to Commissioner Tanner June 12, 1889, in which he requests a rerating of his pension from June 4, 1866, to June 4, 1872, at Ï25 per raonth; and from June 4, 1872, to June 4, 1874, at $31.25 per month. which request was duly complied with by Commissioner Tanner, despite the fact that no legal applicatiou had ever been made for a rerating. "It is needless to say that the acts of Commissioner Tanner in rerating and increasin this pension without application on the part of the pensioner being made and without further medical examination were wholly unwarranted by any law or rule or order in xtstence in this bureau at that time or since. In other words, Commissioner Tanner raised this pension from 130 per month to 172 por mouth, and between May, 1889, and August, 1889, granted two reratings, each carrying large arrearages, without any legal application on'the part of the penskmer or any medical examínation, so far as the records show, the generous act of the commissioner of pensions resulting in the payment to Mr. Long of a total sum of W.912.M."