The National tribune., 1879-12-01
Allen G. Thurman on the Commissioners Sixty
Surgeon Bill.


Whether one approves the political notions of the
Ohio Senator or not no man doubts the c earness of
his intellect and his talent for graphing question
and stating his position for or against it.
We reprint from the Record of March ], 1879,
some extracts from his remarks which completely
demolish the whole fabric of this BILL and we call
attention to them specially worthy of considera-
ton.
This amendment provides that the United States shall
be divided into districts not than sixty in number
The whole United States to be divided into districts
not exceeding sixty III number and into each one of these
districts to be sent lawyer and doctor who const
tute board to examine the applicants the pensioners
and to take testimony Now let see what kind of
district they will have We have thirty eight States and
nine Territories, and the District of Columbia. That
makes in round numbers according to territory for
poses thirty States and ten Terrtoresorty eight
in ALL and you are to have not exceeding sixty districts
What is the consequence? The consequence s district
will be almost as large State.
have heard of Kentucky troops that fought on our
side have heard of troops from Tennessee that fought
side have heard of troops from Arkansas that
fought side. So think the Senator will find that
his districts will be- as say each one of them almost
large State Now, will take the State of Ohio.
These two gentlemen into she State of Ohio with
eightyeght counties in the Stste and not single
county in the State in which there is not pensoner
am quite safe in saying that Where they to hold
their stings and discharge this duty the time that is
specified and how these pensioners all to get notice
By publication in newspaper in the district The dis
trct sixty counties Ohio, and this would
be than fair average size for each of the
distrcts and in newspaper in that district there
is to be notice that this board will sit Sit where? Sit
for the examination of whornp 1t that it
would be utterly mpractcabe for them discharge this
work. to perform this duty.
But that is not ALL donbt exceedingly the propriey
of appointing these surgeons because believe that under
the present system the examination made by surgeons
the neighborhood OF the who is under disability
has been wounded is much likely to result in
rect opinion than would be an examination made by a
surgeon who the for half hour him
before and will him again. There is trouble
when has lost lost leg or lost eye it
requires surgeon to that. But when under
disability resulting from disease, how is this surgeon,
sent perhaps from Washington City detailed from the
Army or Navy and seeing man for half hour whom
he had before and with whose habits he is
wholly unacquanted to form correct opinion of that
at all comparable with the surgeon in his neighbor-
hood who has known him well and is competent form
Judgment about hiilP do not think it be done
think the present system in that respect is better
peciay when the appointment of the examining surgeon
rests with the Commissioner of Pensions
Sir, know some of these examining surgeons of my
State and every of them whom ! know is of
high honor of high standing in his profession There
not of them that would give false certificate much
less one of them that could be corrupted give false
certificate. They just good these sixty
would be under this b and that, Mr.. President take
it is much economical plan, if right Here
are be sixty lawyers and sixty doctors and they
receive Sc 800 apiece each year. That makes 900 for
the two in each district Multiply that by sixty the
Der districts and you have 1900 600 be annually paid
to these lawyers and these doctors It may that that
would be wise expenditure may be that it would re-
suit in economy but at first sight it does not look to
me-
Smallest Tea set in the World.