Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-03-29
Col. Gill.

We clip the following in regard to the
ex Commissioner of Pensions from the Epe-
ming Wisconsin of Monday:
Col. Chas. R. Gill took his place as Com
missioner Of Pensions the 9Th day of Feb
ruary last. He wrestled with the Office
thirty days, when he sent his resignation
70 the President through Secretary Chan
dler.
"The cause for this STEP" he writes the
President isis that l find after this brief
trial, that the duties Of tie Office are so
arduous and the responsibilities so great
that conscientious and faithful discharge
OF them requires a stronger constitution
and better health than possess"
The day following Secretary Chandler
addressed letter to Mr.. Gill, urging hi m
to reconsider his determination as follows:
"Permit me to say in reply that have
observed with great satisfaction, the faith
tul, conscientious and able manner in
which the arduous duties of your office
here have been performed during the brief
period since your appointment. | am ex-
ceedingly unwilling to lose the services of
so efficient an officer as you have proved
yourself, and | therefore have the honor to
request that you will reconsider your de-
termination, and recall your resignation,
with the hope that by devoting yourself
less arduously ito your official lsbors for q
time, your health may become restored"
Mr. Gill made no response to the Secre-
tary in writing, but told him verbally that
his determination was unalterable;" that
for him to remain Commissioners was SIM
70 INF doc
ture to Kingdom Come" Mr.. Gill, like al,
true men, had no fears Of death, nor the
consequences thereafter; but life and health
to him were more than empty horors and
distinction; besides. there were ninety nine
thousand able-bodied men in the country
just ready and willing to take the head OF
any division or department of the govern
ment, the Colonel would therefore repack
his satchel with due2diligence, and 20 back
and snuff the bracing air of his grsensward
home in Wisconsin. The next thing to
consider was the selection of his successor.
To this end, Mr.. Gill held consultation
with our two Senators at the capitol. II
was at snce agreed that the appointment.
if possible, should be retained for this state.
Names were called for, when Mr.. Howe
suggested Mr.. John A. Bentley, of Sheboy-
gan. The suggestion met the hearty ap-
proval of both MIR. Cameron and Mr.. Gill.
and his recommendation was immediately
decided upon. The day after his name was
sent to the Secretary, our Senators vouch-
ing for his ability and fitness in unqualified
measure. The Secretary was satisfied. Cor:
respondence was then opened with Mr..
Bentley, and the upshot is, his name went
10 the Senate on Tuesday, be was confirmed
yesterday and will report himself in " ash
ington Saturday next.
Some idea of the labors of the Pension
Bureau may be had from Mr.. ellis short
experience. During the month of Feb
ruary over thirty-nine thousand letters were
received at the Office, an over forty thou
sand sent out in return. Among the let.
ters received were over two thousand
"new applications or applications for Gin
crease" Many of the letters received were
marked personal" requiring the Commits
sioners attention. Some five hundred
cases for sspec al relief" were sent to them
from Congress committees. Then came re-
ports from especial service division,
"Boards OF Examining Surgeons" and
"Disbursing Accounts ad infnituns And
yet. with all their clerical and vigilant
force, it is held that one-slxth. of the pen
sion cases are founded on fraud. Mr.. Gill
says the work of his commissioners office
tar exceeds that of the Postmssts. General
with his whole retinue of assistants and
division oflcers. And yet, with this fact
staring him in the face, Mr.. Randall, of the
House Appropriations, proposes to cut down
the Commissioners salary from $1,000 to
$4,000. Mr.. Gill s'guesses mott for him.