The National tribune., 1881-02-01
The Sixty-Surgeon Bill Debate.

ing to our soldier friends we place below a sy-
nopsis of the running debate in the Senate, in
which General Logan, the gallant soldier and
the devoted friend of soldiers, great victory
The debate will be continued in our March num-
Der
Mr.. DAVIS, of West Virginia. believe o.day there
more men improperly upon the pension-rol who
able as TO living, than there survivors
of the war of 1912. believe to-day there great
many pensioners upon the roll who contracted disease
whatever but who have improperly and faudulenty in
many gotten there We told by the Commits
soner, and | think at time were told by the
former chairman of the Committee Pensions the
Senator from Kansas, Mr. ingalls,, who is always
full in his statements that he believed five six million
dollars annually paid out to fraudulent pension claim
ants the Commissioner of Pensions now estimates
that there is in the neghborhood of or six millions
10 per cent of the entire frauduleutly and i'm
properly paid Hence the necessity of such bill
the one pending. Although have not examined
this carefully aud cannot say that approve Of all of
its features that some such bill be passed
and go into effect this Government will five six
millions year from fraudulent pensions and punish frauds
in many
Mr.. LoeAN Now l should like to ask the Senator
question right there II he thinks orif the Commissioner
OF Pensions the country he is paying five
six million dollars of fraudulent pension money, will
the Senator please explain to the Senate why the Com
missioner paid it if he knows it fraudulent pension
money?
Mr. DAVIS of West Virginia That is Just what shs
bill wants find out and that just what the Gown
mittee on Pensions trying pass the bill for to
find out.
Mr. LOGAN The Senator cannot get ont of it in that
way say that the Commissioner OF Pensions reports
that ne pays five six million dollars of pension money
that fraudulent he cannot make that report If it is
truthful unless he knows OF the fraud and if he does he
is dishonest man.
Mr. DAVIS Of West Virginia. Neither the Pension
Commissioner nor myself knew Of the fraud. said it
so estimated
Mr. LOGAN Upon what does ne estimate il he does not
know the fraud Here under the he has right
to cut off any pensio1er any moment.
Mr. DAVIS of West Virginia. We understand that but
whenever bill or amendment is offered to them
Oft is
ton to it from some quarter am not referring the
Senator from Illinois for do know that he opposes
Mr.. LOGAN. | am opposed TO it,
Mr. DAVIS of West Virginia did not know it.
Mr. LOGAN. You know it
Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia. | sorry TO know it.
for believe that it is his duty and mine to hunt down
pension frauds and punish them, and not allow the
payers TO suffer from them
Mr. LOGAN. will not allow the Senator TO place me in
such position for am ready to hunt down frauds
anybody but say THAT man who makes report that
he pays i've or six million dollars annually frauduently
is dishonest unless he knows facts base it
lie has right state it unless he knows the fact
He has no right to pay the money frauduenty and if he
does he should not the fact unless he show it
be say that no such argument that Is fair argu
ment in favor OF a bill.
Mr. DAVIS, OF West Virginia I remind the Senator
that neither the Commissioners of Pensions myself
stated that knew the facs to be
Mr. LOGAN. If you do not know the fact you should
not state it.
Mr. DAVIS of West Virginia That is the Senator opin
ion but have an opinion and have the right to state
Mr. LOGAN say if there is peusioner on the roll who
is receiving his money frauduenty 1t Is the duty OF the
Commissioner of Pensions under the law, to cut him off
from the list.8
Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia. That is just what we
trying to do by this bill.
Mr. LOGAN No, sir; beg the Senator's pardon. We
shall see whether you trying it or not When you
stand in the Senate Chamber and say that money is paid
to raudnleny, before accusing the soldier who
ceve il dishonesty, yon should know what you state TO
be fact
Mr. DAVIS of West Virginia Now, must take the
floor.
Mr. LOGAN. Very well. You should give ev
dence. Let us have evidence. Let have some
evidence.
Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia. We have heard thunder
before to-day, Mr.. President, but generally there
in it than there is to-day.
Mr. LOGAN will only say to the Senator that he has
heard thunder and have Others but the thunder
came from his quarter Mr.. President unfortunate
sometimes, especially when get into colloquy with my
very genial and kind and generous friend from West Vr
gnia He talks about thunder. have heard him make
that speech before 1t is not to He made the
speech before, and did not then under
stand it because it was in and VULGAR parance