The National tribune., 1878-01-01

the Pension Office then there would be such detail it
would be the regular work of the bureau nothing else
would be done and the history the example Of just
this sort of evidence for the last twenty years before
the war will bear out what say, in round numbers But
that is a little wide of the mark.
The Senator undertakes to palpabe and gross
violation of duty by Congress that has been pointed out
over and again in respect to these matters by show
ng if it is shown which this paper does not show that
certain abuses exist but the committee do not say that
but they have reported the testimony Of witness That
is all there is in this particular document.
Mr. DAVIS of West Vagina. The Senator will allow
say that think on the first page he will see that the
committee say such the proof
Mr. EDMUNDs. We shall
Mr.. Jenks from the Committee Invalid Pensions
submitted the following testimony and statement
Well, here is the Statement"
Mr.. DAVIS, of West Virginia. Now, will the Senator
read that sentence and say what it is?
Mr. EDMUNDs. ''The pension service of the United
States dsburses annually $50, 24S, ,66o.'
That is the first statement and then it goes AS the
Senator says he could find the particular passage that
he was looking for, do not know that shall
Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia. Will the Senator Just
continue where he read from "Mr. jerks submitted
Mr. EDIUNDs This must be what the senator refers TO-
Mr.. DAVIS of West Virginia. No; you have got page
too far ahead
Mr.. EDMUNDs Let me see. think this must be what
the Senator refers to:
SIN the language of the late Commissioner, He and
Stiles assigned that customary under
stood by all parties, and hence not considered mpro
per-
That the statement that inasmuch the democratic
party could not borrow the whole bureau like the republic
they borrowed here and there member of it. But
der consideration
The attention of Congress has session after session been
called only respect of this particular Department.
but other Departments of the public service where the
rights of citizens involved to the fact that this
called economy cutting down the force beyond the
possibility of transacng the business of the Government
in that prompt and efficient way that the public interest
and private rights required Now the Senator shows
for that, or Justification, something that
republican clerk under republican Secretary
clerks half dozen have been wrongfly taken out
of the public service and applied private purposes and
nf he do yyhp fhprt
is true not If it be true venture TO say that 1t
the duty of the House of Representatives. this evidence
to have mpeached any Secretary OF Interior any Conn
missioner of Pensions, any other officer of the United
States who guilty in of such conduct
and the that with such emnenty patriotic bodies
both Houses nothing at all followed this statement APP
parenty furnishes pretty good evidence to that when
get at the whole truth would turn out to be different
from this statement it is called But do not
whether it is not That not the point I say,
any thing occurred ought to have been punished
promptly and severely; but do not that that puts
bread the mouth of the soldier who is entitled to it if
he has wounded diseased in the service of the
try and do not is for rcduc
inc the force as that what we have
ing him die in and misery before his be
disposed of That is the point
Mr. DAVIS of West Virginia. 1t will be recolected,
Mr. President that stated that there In my opinion
great delay and too much of in the Pension Bureau
do not know whether it is the fault OF the bureau
whether the auls Of having too few clerks too little
clerical assistance do not intend to answer that ques
Mr. SARGENT Does not the Senator know that the
force has largely down within the last few years
+ by Congress?
i Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia think not.
Mr. SARGENT can show the Senator that it has been.
Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia My friend ought to be
well posted better than ], but think he mistaken in
that
1 Mr. SARGENT. The record shows that am not mis-
taken.
4 Mr. DAVIS of West Virginia I have no objection TO
hearing it.
4 Mr. SARGENT. In 1875 the force of the bureau was
59 all told; in 1876 169 in the bill for 1877, the es
mate still being 169 it was down 80 1885, and i'll that
for 1878 it again down to 135, although the est
mate was larger and the representations that tue
ira force absolutely needed.
Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia. VIII the Senator tell us
how much the reduction Ii?
Mr. SARGENT. The difference between l3o and l6s
+ Mr. DAVIS of West Virginia. Since when?
Mr. SARGENT The present fiscal year and the last hs
cal year
Mr. DAVIS of West Virginia. One hundred and sixty
nine.
Mr. SARGENT From one hundred and sixty nine down
to one hundred and thirty-hye.
Mr. DAVIS OF West Virginia / have not word to
cav against tle figures the Senator presents but think