New-York tribune., 1879-11-08
ENCROACHING ON GENEROSITY.
PENSION CLAIM AGENT MAKES A PITEOUs APPEAL
THE SCHEME DENOUNCED BY THE coMMIs-
GIONrp
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSE.I

IBr TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON. Nov 7.-When the Arrears of PEN
slons bill was under consideration in Congress. the
anxiey manifested by n certain clique Of claim
agents and lobbyists to secure its passage led TO
strong suspicion Of iobberv In consequence Of this
suspicion clause incorporated In the bill espe
cially providing that no claim agent or attorney
should be entitled toany fee whatever for services in
connection with the applications for arrears of
pensions. Thereupon a most shameless scheme of
wholesale begging from the bencfcaries of the Ar
bin was devised and pnt In operation as soon
as the bill became law. The scheme was discov-
cred and fully exposed in the columns OF THE
TRIBUNE and pensioners warned against is
inventors. Notwithstanding the exposure how
ever the plot seems TO have been to some extent
successful and evidence has come to light that the
project Is still IN operation. Commissioner Bentley
has Just received the following letter:
DEAR SIR; wish to know II r. A. Dlmmick has any
right tn any paw lie he got The ATrears OF Pensions
bill Through Congress. thoneht # took twohirds Of
the members TO pass law He wrote 10 me before ,
the man that n led papers to put down twenty-five.
would like 10 know II h" Ia irving 10 swindle me, an
old woman Of seventy-fve. or shall give L 20 him.
win send you the papers he sent me.
To this letter the Commissioner made the follow
ing reply;
WASHINGTON Nov. 7, 1879.
MADAwHi Tn answer 10 your letter OF the 81 inst,
you informed that Mr. Dimmick has no right 10 de-
inand of for efforts have put forth
10 secure the passage Of the law Granting arrears.
From the papers which have enclosed, and which
with your consent will retain. IL appears that Mr..
Dmmick rying TO levy for his private use upon
your oredulIty and generosity. Respectfully yours.
j. A. BENTLEY. Commissioner of Pensions.
Mrs. Depew's letter is ccompanied by two printed
documents setting forth the extraordinary services
and sufferings Of X. A. Dmmick in behalf of the
pensioners. and complaing in maudlin, whining
manner because they have not recognized the fact
In more substantial way. The first of these papers
has upon one side the following wordsi
You can remit your subscription In accordance with
your obligation I'm the ncosed envelope aud send either
postal order or by registered letter.
The second paper is long printed letter addressed
to Dear Madarne,n in which Dimmick conveys
Information which he thinks should "put
to blush the selfish and deceitful persons
who sought to mislead me by false prom
Ises to continuance Of sacrifice of
means, time and labor, and who have
shown themselves. in my opinion. unworthy of the
effort that | made for them" In conclusion Mr..
Dmmick SAYS that this criticism is not intended
for those who have not vet received their arrears"
r. A. Dimmck is pension claim agent here. He
was promptly suspended from practice before the
Pension ONCE when his begging scheme was first
disclosed. Tie is understood TO he the originator
or chief manager OF "rhe Soldiers and Sailors Ma
tional Advisory Association tho object OF which
was exposed by the Commissioner of Pensions
in his recent Philadelphia speech before
the Grand Army Of the Republic. large proper
ton of the pensioners of the Nation of the class
who are easily made the victims of project like
the one set forth above, and II is important that
thev should be made aware that Congress has pro-
vided the means from which their claims are to be
satisfied. and that the Pension Office is created on
purpose to adjust their claims. They owe neither
fees compensation nor gratitude to Mr.. Dimmlck
or any of his class