The National tribune., 1878-01-01

nation, If obtain it less than months we do
TO the dement of who is equally deserving.
Mr.. HoAR. Mr.. President
Mr.. SALISBURY. Then ask the Senator from Kan
Mr. HoAR. The Senator from Delaware will permit
Mr.. SAUIsBuRy Permit me to ask a question of the
Senator from Kansas ask how long that has been the
condition Of things in that office?
Mr. INGALLS,. 1t has been Che condition of things for
more than two years to my knowledge
Mr. SALISBURY. Then have to say that the criticism
of the Senator from Vermont which attributed it to the
economy of certain political party is not correct The
economy exercised by the democratic party in the cura
ment of the clerical force the departments occurred
within two years and if this condition of affairs existed
prior that time it because of the economy exhb
tied by the democratic party.
Mr.. INGALLS,. l not here for the purpose of making
any partisan accusations This goes far beyond that
do not that it the fault of the democratic party of
the republican party but the difficulty has originated
within the period when these evanges of reform have first
begun their labors Go not say that the responsibility
rests with party the other but the difficulty exists
and it is wrong and as said before in my opinion it
verges very close upon crime.
Mr. HANfIIN obtained the floor.
Mr. WITHERs. Will the Senator from Kansas permit
me to make suggestion to him?
The VIcE-PRFsIDENT The Chair has recognized the
Senator from Maine.
Mr. HAMIIN / want to make a suggestion myself
! Mr. WITHERs. Very good.
Mr. EDMUNDs. The Senator from M aine has been on
| the floor for time.
/ Mr. HAMIIN / will occupy the floor long while.
believe it my usual habit to be very brief want
first thank the Senator Massachusetts, for nv ting
the attention of the Senate to the condition of things
isting at the Surgeon Generals Office have been pro-
voked occasions myself do it but did
have the precise condition of things around
lead to do have had precisely the expert
ence that other Senators have stated here and think
have done what have yet heard other Senator
went to the Surgeon Generals Office myself feeling
interest in particular case to which my attention was in
vted and knowing personally the condition in which the
soldier and that he must receive his pension If en
tied to it. within short period surely he would receive
it not at all took the pains to go to the office of the
Surgeon General and confer with him in relation to the
matter and subsequent to that period have received
some half dozen communications from the Pension Office,
all naatng the same condition of things to wit that the
Surgeon General is from twelve TO sixteen months behind
The SugeonGen told himself that he used every
particle Of force he had in his Office and he de-
ayed only because he hadno the force with which to do
the work.
am not able to state when the law was passed the
chairman of the Comm Pensions may but it
deemed prudent and wise that this examination should be
made by the Surgeon General for the protection of the
4 Government apprehend, however, it was
emplated that it TO lead to delay which should be
almost denial of Justice AS the cases began to accumu
late the delay began lengthen aud if the delay be
twelve months to-day unless there be remedy furnished
it will be eighteen months nextyear, because the aoeumu
aton of business far exceeds their ability discharge the
applications that made to them. For the first six
months, with limited force they might have reached the
keep up the accumulation increases, and if it were
think only about twelve months behind the last session
of Congress- it will be eighteen months behind at this
sion hope the chairman OF the Committee Pensions
will give the matter his prompt attention | know his
promptness in all matters and think the country has
right TO demand that Temdey shall be applied III these
cases, and everybody will say that it is right
Il Mr.. INGALLS,. Mr. President, desire to make OBJ
servahon further upon this subject At the present time
there pending before the Pension Bureau between six
tynine thousand and seventy thousand undusted
of claims for pensions. That number is continually in
creasng and the pension department and the Committee
on Pensions both subjected to continual o
delay for which they neither of them any just
whatever responsible.
Ihave called the attention of the Senate to this matter
upon every occasion when could properly do
There has been appropriation bill before the
Senate when the subject Of additional assistance to the
Surgeon General was under discussion that have not
asked that the clerical force might be given to enable this
very important branch of the public service to be properly
administered, and take this occasion to make these
marks in order to exoneaae the Committee Pensions
from the seeming procftnation and delay that have in
many characterized their action but for which they
are not responsible.
Mr.. WITHERs Mr.. President, as a member of the
Committee Pensions wish to add word To what has
been said by the chairman of that committee and well
said and also to say word in defense of the political
party with which am connected from the quasi criticism
upon their action in the line of economy. n
Uha q, ,of+