The National tribune., 1878-01-01

fce Q1artermaster- Generals Office or anywhere else
where private justice be done to citizens there
a deficiency of help other help got within the
Department by ordering clerks to be detailed Now this
spasm of socaed but very false economy in my opinion
has cut down the general clerical force of the War De-
parent within the last two three to very large
degree and it has had it's effect upon the capacity of the
Surgeon Generals Office to get off the business
Mr.. WITHERs The clerical force Of the War Depart
ment has been down whole but the clerical force
of tine Surgeon Generals Office, according my recoec
ton and sustained in il by the recollection of other
members of the Appropriation Committee, not redu
ced the contrary it somewhat increased and for
the purpose of facilitating the examination of these pen
claims To that extent therefore wished to say
word in defense of the democratic party and the policy
it has pursued from the criticisms made upon it on the
other side of the Chamber
Mr.. VooRHEEs Mr.. President, came in after this
discussion commenced know nothing about any party
aspects has have and in view of the interest that
Think ought be subserved but very little AS
member of the Committee Pensions, however, there
has reached me volume OF information from various
parts OF the country that has impressed most deeply
of doing something outrage upon most meri
torious of citizens. There is such delay In
gard to applications for pensions as denial
of Justice by this Governmental absolute denial of what
pretend shall be extended to this class of citizens who
under There is not day that does not
bring to in my mail complaints we'll founded that
cannot respond to except by admitting that fact and say
ing to the writers that have power to assist them
formed the Pension Office, the Surgeon Generals Office,
and everywhere else without the possibility OF obtaining
relief for these applicants; and wish to to the SEN
ate this morning that this grievance has become great
that it would properly call for committee of investiga
ton see whether these bureaus doing their duty
with the force at their disposal whether they really
merit and require greater force. If they require
force the Congress of the United States ought to give 1t
30 them without one moments delay and without any
question upon the subject of economy There is no econ
omy like that of doing exactly our duty by our own peo
pie.
have no practical remarks to submit this morning
to the mode of reaching this question; but while listen
ing to the suggestions made by others the thought
into my mind that this matter ought to be Investigated
When claims of pensioners behind year and half
intelligent observation of the suation and either the
Committee on Pensions or special committee ought
investigate the Pension Bureau and inquire to the
number of clerks the force at their disposal the cond
ton of the business whose fault it is, and so as TO the
Surgeon Generals Office. We could thus whether
they need assistance and they do it to them
and they do not and not doing their duty let them
be held to strict accountability for this is absolute
grievance to my personal knowledge that ought to be re-
dressed.
Mr.. BURNSIDE Mr. President, III view of some remarks
which dropped from the Senator from Indiana in reference
to the action of the Pension Bureau and the Surgeon Gen
erals Office would say TINT Thave had much experience
in visiting those departments and looking after pension
cases. and far my knowledge goes feel that they
using due diligence and using all the force in fact at
their command for the performance of the work which
properly falls upon them.
Mr. VOORHEES, If the Senator from Rhode Island will
allow me, wish to say that have reason to think
otherwise than according his statement and had in
ention of saying that they not doing their duty fully
Mr.. BURNSIDE so understand the Senator from lndi-
merely make this remark in view of the fact that
have been impressed with the belief that they using
the force to the best of their ability know of this evil
probably than any other Senator There is hardly
soldier from any State of the Union but writes to me
daily this subject complaining of the delays in the set
tement of their claims and think myself that if the mat
brought fairly before the Houses of Congress
members of both political parties would be willing at
to vote the necessary force required for the rapid prosecu
ton of this work These should not be delayed any
longer in getting their just rights and am there is
Senator within the sound of my voice who is in the
least disposed to keep them out of their rights. think
properly drafted would meet the approval of the
entire Senate.
Mr. WINDOW. Mr. President, wish to say word in
reference to the responsibility of the Committee Appo
pratons of the Senate for this condition of things have
for the record showing the facts in the and
will have it in few moments presume. | quite
certain it viii be found investigation that the Senate
Committee Appropriations have share in this espon
siby that they allowed for these two offices very nearly
if not quite the number of clerks recommended.
want say furthermore in response the remarks of
the honorable Senator from Virginia Mr.. WITHERsl that
think the gentlemen representing another body who
charged with peculiar economyand have charged them
with.iG myself perhaps rs much anybodywere some
what liberal with reference 80 these two offices than
farn