The National tribune., 1879-12-01
Commissioner Bentley's Bill Again.

ceeds the proverbial nine lives Of that interesting
animal The work Of the Office since this session
commenced has been largely cast upon the deputy,
while the Commissioners is sbuttonhoug members Of
Congress into the support of his pet measure
He has modiR, his measure in some very triaing
particulars, but the great and controlling nconveni-
ences and impracticabilities remain.
We will only here refer to two, to which we in
vite candid attention.
The Commissioner stated at The close Of the last
session that these new boards" were not only to
examine new applications and undetermined cases
on fle but were also to re-erdn,ine all hot had
heretofore been al,o,ced This was the theory adj
vocated by his friends in the Senate in the debate
of March l, 1879.
There are in round numbers, say these advocates,
100000 pensioners, every one of whom, except
those suffering from specific and visible disability,
such as the loss of arm or leg, ought to be re-
examined to ascertain whether they are properly
rated "or mhether they properly placed on the
roll an The first place"
Thus the whole mass of sick, crippled, and dis
abIed men long since on full examination placed on
the roll by Bentley or any of his predecessors-no
matter how long ago--are to be hauled up before
these travelling boards and subjected to exam-
nations and new vexations.
Besides these there are now on file and undis-
posed of 100000 claims, making in all 100000
cases to be called, heard and decided by these
boards
Sixty districts are established in the whole United
States to handle this vast mass
Over thirty-eight States andnine Territories then,
to be divided into siy districts each district
nearly As large as an avRrare State.
Into this district comprising thirty, forty sixty
counties, comes this board Notice of the time and
place is given by publication in some one news
paper, at which time and place all pensioners and
claimants Of pension are to appear.
In what order are they to be taken up, and how
are they to be informed of that order? The thou
sands whom that notice would concern---for there
would be no district without it's thousands--must
End their way best they to the place of hold
ing this COURT they must raise the money neces
sary for travelling, or lose their rights; they must
find means to support themselves while dancing at
tendance upon this absurd tribunal for unlim-
tied and uncertain time or they must lose their
rights; they have means of finding out, nor can
the court itself find out what will be called in
the first week. the first month, the first year, but
they must attend or lose their rights.
No more inhuman scheme was ever devised to
preserve the appearance of justice and fair dealing
while deprving thousands of all the fruits of the
bounty of the Government.
Now we affirm from knowledge that even if this
tribunal could be held in every county of the United
States, and every pensoner and claimant in such
county We're properly notified and their case set
down in fixed and regular order, then one
third of the pensioners from infrmity could not at
tend, even if they had the means to support them
selves with. And the case would be still harder
upon those who as yet have received nothing from
the Government
Such oppression of the poor suitors of the Nation
cannot for moment be tolerated by any thought
full man. 1t is keeping the word of promise to the
ear, but breaking to the hope" 1t is saying in
practice, we will give you tribunal to try your