The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-15
Frauds in the Pension Service.

Frauds in the Pension Service.
A special despatch from Washington
yesterday announced the discovery of
great frauds in the Pension Bureau
Peculiar facilities have existed in this
branch Of the public service for squander-
ing the public money; and we are inclined
TO think that they have been right royalty
used. The care Of those who have been
made helpless in its service is one of the
most sacred obligations that can be laid
upon q government, and since the close of
war there has been little disposition to
check the spontaneous OutpOuring of the
national gratitude to disabled soldiers or to
the widows and children OF those who died
in defense ofthe Union. At best it is a
thankless task to plead economy against
such claimants; and the party in power, 10
the name Of the purest feelings, was lavish
beyond precedent. The opposition had
not the influence necessary to modify the
action Of the Republicans in any regard,
Democratic criticism on this particular
theme would not have been listened to
with patience by the majority, who affect
ed to consider the soldiers as their especial
wards. 1t was inevitable that the pension
service should grow corrupt when claim
with an immunity which no other depart
ment of the government enjoyed. 1t was
natural that it should grow corrupt when
the whole civil service became tainted. In
any movement to reform it let US not seek
to cut off from the manned soldier, from
the soldiers widow or the soldiers orphan
one jot or title of what the national bounty
has decreed them; for in the matter OF
rewarding services rendered at such self
sacrifice parsimony ceases to be political
virtue. But let the abuses of the pension
systematic frauds in procuring and
granting ABIDE examined into and pun
ished. There should be no mercy for i'm
posters, and none for officials who, by
means Of an army of fictitious patriots, may
be drawing away the public revenue,
A few figures taken from official sources
will show that there is every reason to en-
terrain the grayest doubts concerning the
management of the Pension Bureau, and
the revelations limited at by our correspoll-
dent should surprise the public very little.
On the Both of June, 1875. there were
234,S2l names on the pension rolls, and
the expenditures for pensions during the
year closing at that date had amounted to
the enormous sum of $40, 456, 2l6.22. And
notwithstanding the fact that ten years
have elapsed since the close Of the war and
the time has now come when we should
naturally expect the pension list to de-
cline in'Dumber from the mere operation
Of natural causes, there are 1885 addi-
tional claims on the files of she depart
ment that are unadjudicated. In order tC
estimate these amazing facts properly, lei
US go back to June 80, 1865. At that
time the war had closed, and although
many well-iounded claims for pensions had
not been allowed, it is reasonable to as
sumo that the bulk of the bona tide claims
growing out of the war had been submit
ted. We find that there we're then on the
rolls Ct the department only 1886 pen
sioners, and the sum expended during the
year for Indian affairs ald pensions wal
given in the official reports at $l4, 2jS, 575
A comparison is easy. The same depart
ments cost last year $37 ,S46,S73. Sucl
ratio of increase is marvellous. 1t i
plain that Andrew JohnsOn's secretary o.
the treasury did not foresee it, for he est
mated the expenditures of these depart
ments for 1866 and 1867 at a sum scarcely
four millions in advance of the expcndi
ture of 1865. But as we are making thi.
argument, but for the information of GU
readers, we shall take up the affairs of thu
Pension Bureau five years after the clos
of the war-a point midway between 1866
and the present year, That must be con
sidered an unexceptionable period for com
parison. During the year ending june 80
1870, there were 1893, $50 names upon tn
pension rolls, and the expenses of tina
bureau had been $27, 7SO.Sll. Thus
will be seen that the expenditures had ad
vanced under Grants administration ia
beyond McCullochs estimates, althoug
not attaining the point which they hav
reached in our time. From the pres
dents message OF December, 1870, we Sc
that large share of the claims above
were supposed to be fraudulent, and tn
usual promises of reform were made, wit
what results the present pension bulge
shows. He said The labors Of the pei
"sion Office have been devoted to the 81
we're scrutiny of the evidence submittC
''iu favor Of claims and to the discovery
fictitious claims which have been heret
tore allowed. The appropriations f
the employment of special agents for Il
Investigation of frauds have been jud
''cously used and the results obtaint
have been of unquestionable benefit
"the service" The usual result of ,
Grants fair promises has followed and 7
have now pension-list amounting to 50!
456, 2l6, with an army of pensioners
the number of 234, S2l and a continge
reserve of 1885.
We profess the greatest reverence f
any person, who, through his own merit
or those of near relative. either in Il
revolution, the war of 1912 or the war
the rebellion, has honestly won the di
tinction of a United States pension.
one sense it is kind of patent of nobiit
But we do declare that we cannot rega
the increase and multiplication of pc
sioners in time of profound peace as an
thing less than miraculous, Does {
soldiers widow never marry? Many
them must have been young and blool
ing. Do the soldiers children never gre
to manhood? Are American heroes rea
as long-lived as they deserve to be and
grateful country would wish to see then
Or have the claim-agents and the offici
peopled the land with shadows?-N
World.