New-York tribune., 1880-06-23
AFFAIRS AT THE PENSION OFFICE.

AN ACCUMULATION OF BUSINESS WHICH 1T Will
TAKE YEARS, TO DISPOSE OF-AN EFFORT TO
CATCH MR. BENTLEY IN SOME wIONG-DoISG.
iBY TELEGRAPR TO THE TRIBUNEI
WASHINGTON. June 22.-Over $4,000 Con-
gressona written by the Pension Bureau
during just ended to inquiries
cerning pensions.
Claims for pensions pending before the Department
have Increased the last fourteen months
Of 5000 month. These led claims more
than double tue number at the Cate Of the passage
the Arrears OF Pensions act in January, 1870 T.ere
pending in the Office at least $4,000 CLAIMS.
During the six months preceding the passage OF III
act. that 10. from Jny l. 1873 to January l.
1870, the number OF claims FLED per month did Lot ex-
ceed 1850 invalids' and widows' claims together.
During the seventeen mouths since the passage Of
this average las been 800 per montA It is
impossible with the present facilities of Pension
to dispose OF more than $500 of these per
month 50 that these claims accommodating at
the rate OF 5000 6000 1t would take. Commissioner
Bentley, many years to dispose of the
pending
sDeakiug OF pensions, mention may be made of the
operations Of the House Special Committee to
investigate the Pension Bureau. Tho committee
seems to have very diligent IN it's
work, but to have accomplished nothing OF value.
The committee started out will a double purpose in
view. Ono was TO hunt up something IN
the interest OF the claim agents by
which delay aud obstruct the work of
reOrganizng the pension system. The other was to
gather material for In the coming campaign, 10
Snow that u1uer RcpuDncan administration the
EiOners have not been promptly and fairly attended
In both respects the Investigation has thus far
failure.
Commissioner Bsntley gave the committee ak days
of his time. during which he az much infOr-
nation about the pension system as tic comm lttee
could digest Then the called In the claim
agents. AMI let them tell what they knew about the
Onire. After timo Mr. Bentley was recalled
made asans the Office by the claim aSSnls gelnss
rms ne did efectuly. so far as he could in ~.
ON aPlearinS 70 resume has testimony the next mora
ng the chairman OF the committee teld aim That 1t had
Tne object to throw doubt upon tie statements
already made. and thus make available for the
while showing nothing IN rebuttal Slr. Bentley in-
q subpoena, out IN his cfcai capacity, and 6y its own
fOrmal tat0u; that he not TO intmd ted by
he protested against course taken by the committee
he was ready 70 go on If required
Cras DECIDED that he could not proceed except under
asked leave to read YorSnai protest he ore aHns he
oath. The committee cleared the room, and afer
Q protest in the course Of which he said
SHseted on c M o. Of
mnisteriDg TO me the ordinary witness oath and
offered me for winch the committee has no lust ground
1t is implied withdrawal OF your request 10
statement ana an I'M pcaton that my Statements insde
in my oicia Character simply are IN he opinion "f t.e
official stateme heretofore that be the viii OF
tee that shall proceed under the witness oath. then
under protest submit myselt to the committees VIII
Respectfully request that this protest go into the
record"
test on record. Mr. Bentley being sworn. became a
very Wiling witness. aud immediately placed record
during the seven days be bad previously icsted was
true IN every eSpeS to 9e Ssst 81 MS knowledge ana
were suspended for q time.
uittee pleasure and PLAN further. The facts IN
the case ali upon one SIDE aud the Comnss.onere
nc corrupt action upon hls part