Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-12-22
From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON LETTER.

thing resulting iIom the 'as' W''A
deliberations Of Congress, though
some business ola seml'roatine char
aotsr has been quietly transacted Tue
Democrats are not disposed to permit
any more time to be consumed over
tho eleetoral.count resolution if'hey
eau prevent It, There viii be u
strenuous effort TO pass II alter tho
holiday recess, when all the members
arc here, aud I think the effort must
succeed. Asa prominent Democrat
said yesterday, "We have a majority
and we mean to adopt this rale, not
40 much because there ~ likely 10 be
any dispute over the count this Time
but because 1t Ia q proper and consul
.ulional provision, and because we 10
not intend TO leave It IN the power Of
Chester A, Arthur TO elect a i'res'-
dent in 1884" Aside from this sub
jet, appropriation bills have chiefly
occupied the attention Of the House
Chairman Atkins, Of the Appropria'
tons Committee, set out at tho be-
ginning to have five OF their bills
passed before tho recess, aud he has
nearly succeeded. There are th,r'
teen appropriation bills /" all, The
holiday recess Is not to be as long as
last year, though quite long enough
from tho 2sd inst. to January 9Th
Pension Commissioner Bcntly II
preparing to make strong push after .I
the recess for the passage OF his b'l'
now pending before the Senate
Bsutley is right with respect to only
one feature of the subject he urges
upon the attention of Congrcss-i's
importance. There are 100000 pen
sioners on the rolls and as many more
entitled under the laws to be there {;
40 that it is matter OF consequence
not only to this large number OF peo'
pie, but to the public at large, as wit
ness tina appropriation OF fifty millions
for annual payments just passed by
the House. But in all his schem3s
and plans Bentley is wrong. re is a
selfish, narow-gauge man. His no
tons are wholly of self-agrandisement
and tho qualification of little, personal
spites. ! am not starting out tor an
stack upon officials, but stating things
as they are generally understood here.
Bentley claims to be the friend and
protector OF the soldier, when, in TACT
he assumes that every claimant tor q
pension is a thief, and has delayed the
business of his office TO secure his own
purpose, standing as an impossible
barrier against the execution Of plain
laws of Congress. Some idea of his
character and methods may have been
obtained from his circular to pension
claimants during the campaign, OF
which gave you some account IN a
former letter.
Last year he had before the Senate
bill known as the Sixty Surgeons
bill, but after a thorough examination
into its provisions and probable work.
ing, taking the testimony of men
thoroughly posted in pension matters,
the Senate committee politely invited
him to withdraw it. That bill was
pretty thoroughly written up at the
time. 1t provided for sixty examin-
ing surgeons and sixty clerks to travel
over the country investi eating claims,
each drawing salary Of $4,000 per
annum. 1t was an expensive and
most pernicious arrangement. Now
Bentley has bill somewhat differ
ent, but if anything more objection
able and dangerous in its scope. 1t
provides for a Commission in each
Congressional district, which shall,
in effect, costitate sort Of irresponsi-
bic, itinerant court to take evidence
in pension cases, with surgeon to
examine applicants. There are fees
tor examining witnesses. and fees for
this, that and the other, and three
dollars to the surgeon in each case.
These counts have no power to COM
pei the attendance Of witnesses, and
there is no provision made tor secur-
ing the evidence of witnesses who
may reside in o different State from
the claimant. These "Courts' re-
volve around TO the different county
seats and go bag and baggage to visi.
sick or disabled applicant, with
charges accordingly. There are 2so
congressional districts and these six
or seven hundred appointees Of the
Commissioner would cost Uncle Sam
pretty snng sum each year. And
the worst of il all is their findings are
not Rnal. The determination Of the