National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-26
TIE LATE JOHN D. WILSON,
INTERESTING LETTER FROM COcIM Is.
SIDNER BAKER.

WASHINGTON. d. G. September 10. 1874.
Br. T. B. Hood. Wsiicnt Referee:
Sm: Your invitation to be present and to pre-
side At meeting of the clerks OF the bureau, pro-
posing to take appropriate action in regard to the
death Of Mr.. John d. Wilson, is just received. 1t
will be impossible for me to comply, by reason Of
the fact that must attend q funeral, Occasioned
by bereavement in the home Of very dear friend,
At the hour specified. But 1 desire earnestly to
Ioin with you in every mark Of respect for this
worthy nan and faithful public servant.
He was appointed from the city Of Baltimore,
Nd, 20 position in the War Department as q
pension clerk on the 5th Of October, 1892 and has
rendered uninterrupted service from that date
until the time Of his death. He began his public
employment by adjusting revolutionary pension
claims under the comprehensive act Of June :,
1852. and has witnessed the wonderful growth and
expansion Of the pension system through the null
titude Of laws since enacted, growing out Of the
war Of 1872, the Florida war, the Mexican war
and finally that Of the great rebellion. His ex-
perience Of pension and bounty land laws, rulings
and decisions covered more time, and undoubtedly
was more accurate than that Of any man living
or dead. He has disposed Of more pension cases
than any other person ever connected with the
Government and with that conscientious fidelity
which always, rs we all know, characterized his
Ofhcial labor.
There are several very notable things in this
z AAAgoNNA-Ne@s-Nt-I
public employee. In the vast multitude Of his
official transactions covering all these years not
even the suspicion Of wrongdOing ever cast its
shadow upon any official act. The uprightness Of
his conduct was known and felt by all about him,
associates or chiefs; and that any piece Of work
had passed through John Wilson's hands was
such an assurance Of accuracy and integrity as
fully concluded its UnqUestiOned adjustment.
The TgOr cleaTness and cOmpactness Of his letters
made them models Of official style. They were
never revised, and always written without blot or
bIenish. In addition to this, his punctuaIity in
duty was always the subject Of admiration He
his desk in the afternoon until the work on which
he was engaged, even though the clock had
Etruck three was finished.
1t remarkable that during his period Of SER
vice, till very recently, when advancing years
made it absolutely necessary, he never had but
seventeen days leave Of absence from duty. No
Administration could ever md pretext for dis
missing such a public servant. Such men are
never dismissed IRON Office. While commencing,
let us emulate his example.
It is scarcely necessary to add that, having been
an honest Government clerk for fOrty-tWO years,
he died poor 1t will be the object Of your meet
ing to consider with all DsneTOlence and delicaeJ
what can be done. AS all Of us loved him, let Vi
consider it a pleasure to remember him in such
practical manner as that his widow, herself aI
invalid may be assured that we treasure hts eX
eellent memory.
Very respectfully, J. H. BAKER,
Commissioner.