Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-06-07

! They are their right and when
sit in my committee adiudicatipg
whether pensioncr be entitled to d
pension or not, do It on the principle
that the claimant comes there asking
for his legal right, and am bound 10
grant it Il he brings himself within the
provisions of the law. Hence, hope
It may never be again asserted on the
floor of this House, Iand more particu.
larly by what would seem to be con
ceried action, for no sooner was 1t as.
serted by one than II was followed by
others that II was not debt.
One Of the honorable gentlemen as.
signs as reason that he had never
heard of such thing Tho fact that
he had never heard 81 such thing was
no argument why it did not exist, be-
cause if we were TO test the existence
ofwhatis true by what any man knows,
the truth on earth or in the universe
would be extremely limited
Another reason assigned was that
they only did their duty, and when the
Government promised them tais if they
did their duty, are they not entitled to
it? A man may only do ais duty
when he performs his daily abor for
his employer under obligation TO pay
him ? The fact that he is doing his
duty is no argument against ii and
we insist an invalid pension is debt,
and should be so recognized by the
Government, and in the organization
! of Courts for the adjudication Of such
claims we should take the same care rs
in the organization of any other Court
in the United States. If this business
is not fairly and honestly done, dill
gently and economically done, where
it is performed now, let us place it
where it will be.
So much for this question which has
consumed more time than intended.
| will pass now to the consideration OF
the main question before the House,
and in order that il may be fully COM
pretended, will send up the bill and
ask the Clerk to road il as part of my
remarks. Itis introduced as an amend
ment to the bill under consideration by
the courtesy of the Committee on Ap-
preparations. tits House bill No. 2590,
transferring the Bureau of Pensions
from the Interior Department to the
War Department
The Clerk read as follows:
be Il enacted BY he Senate aud House Of Repre-
sentdiires Of he United Stafes Of America IN Con
gress assembled, That from and after July l. 1877,
the Pension Bureau Of the United States, with all
Its duties, funds, accounts, claims records, books
papers, property, and appurtenances, shall be
transferred from the Depsftment Of the Interior
TO the Department OF War.
SEoTios ?, That the Secretary Of War shall ox-
ercse all the powers and discharge all the duties
heretofore exercised and performed by the secrc-
tary OF the Interior In relation TO pensioners and
the Pension Bureau and all accounts shall be
subject to adjustment by the officers Of the Treas
ury now having charge Of the department Of ao-
counts Of said Bureau and the pension agents and
agencies.
SIC 3. That on and after the date aioreaaid
there Is hereby established In the War Depart
ment an Office to be known as the Pension Office +;
and the Secretary OF War shall detail from the
commissioned officers VI the army an officer 10
take charge Of said Office and administer Its affairs
under regulations to be made and promulgated
by the Secretary Of War the officer 70 detailed
shall for the time he may be detailed to the charge
Of the Pension Office, have the pay and allowances
Of Colonel, and shall perform all the duties now
performed by the Commissioners Of Pensions.
SIC. 4. That on and after the date aforesaid,
the office Of pension agent and pension agencies
for the disbursement Of the pension fund shall be
abolished and discontinued and on and after the
payment Of the quarterly payment due pensioners
on the 4th day Of June, 1877, all funds remaining
In their hands, shall DO paid into the Treasury
of the United States.
SIC. 5. That the duties therefore, performed by
the pension agents agencies shall 30 performed
un der the direction Of the Secretary Of War by
the Pay Department Of the army; and the secre-
tary of War is authorized 10 detail such force Of
commissioned officers as may, through knowledge
and experience Of disburslng duties, be suited
and necessary 10 perform such duties the officers
so detailed 10 give bond in such SUN shall be
approved by the Secretary Of War for the faithful
discharge Of their duties.
SIC. 0. That the Secretary Of War is hereby
authorized TO re-organiEc and re-adjust the sew
eral divisions Of the Pension Bureau, and detail
officers and emplCyes TO do the work 10 such a
manner MS shall conducc TO the good Of the SER
vice. Any officer authorized to investigate any
suspected attempt to deiraud the United States in
or affecting the administration Of any law relative
to pensions, and to aid in prosecuting any person
implicated shall have the power to adnistcr oaths
in the course Of such inves,igatiou.
SIC. Z. That the details Of commits ssioned officers
under sections and Of this act may BE- extended
to officers on the retired list Of the army and
such officers while so serving shall have the pay
and allowances Of officers Of like grade on the
tive list.
Sac. s. That on or before the lst day of July,
1871 the Secretary Of the Interior shall cause the
n.... l.. Ill IL. l...a- l.
In full readiness for the transfer mentioned in
section |, aud the same shall bo made and com
completed at the earliest practicable date within
80 days, and all acts or parts Of acts inconsistent
herewith are hereby repealed.
Mr.. jerks. The provisions of this
act as rule are general in their terms
without going into detail of admins
tration of tho office. 1t was thought
expedient, and il also seems wise, to
leave the working out of the details,
after the general plan shall have been
laid, TO administration.
The bill has been drawn on that
principle, and with the exception of
the seventh section and the fourth and
fifth scctins, which we will consider in
tho course of our remarks, we need
only to say that il provides for the re-
moval Of the Pension Bureau and the
conduct of II in the War Department.
Tho seventh section, which is new
in its character. provides that those in
the half pay service of tho Govern.
ment may be employed in the duties of
that Office. IL gives the means by
which many now paid by the Cavern.
ment NAV be utilized 'fboro can now
be employed in this pension Office II
transferred 10 the army tho halfway
officers from the grade Of captain down
and one half at least, of THAT is now