New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-26
RELIEF OF PENSION CLAlMANrs.

A PETITION FROM THE GRAND ARMY OF the RE.
PuBIIC-A FAULTY SYSTEM AND FRAUDULENT
ciAIMs-REPoRr OF COMMISSIONER BENTLEY.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBCSE.i
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25-Mr. E. B. Loring, of Bos-
ton, called ON President Hayes to-day. in company
with Senator Hoar, and presented memorials
from nearly all the Grand Army posts In the De-
partment of Massachusetts, nrging Congressional
action TO provide such legislation as may be neces
sary to secure a speedy settlement of the PEN
sion claims now pending IN the Pension
Office Mr. Loring aud Senator )toar urged the
President to forward the memorials to Congfess ac-
companied by special message inviting the atten-
ton of that body to the necessity OF legislation upon
the subject. Mr. Lorpg is member oil John "A. Au'
drew Post G. A. R.. and has been instructed IS tsae
Post to visit Washington aud make thorough ln-
vestication of the various plans proposed for the
relief of pension claimants. II it were not so near
the end of the present Congress there would be
probability of something being done both TO reeve
the oyerburdeued Pension Office aud to enact pFeven-
tive legislation against fraudulent pension cia'ns.
The fact that about $1SOOO,Oco VIII DC required
70 meet nepson deficiencies for the current year re-
wives the talk of frauds committed against the CIV
ernment and agains. worthy applicants for pensions.
The present system is acknowledged by everybody,
axcent the claim agents 10 be . very faulty one
The following story which is said TO be true III every
essential particular. is told as AN example OF tue
frauds which arc possible under the present system:
A gallant Irishman served during the war Ia
New-Engand regiment, and when the war was over
,ef, the service in as sound condition when he GU
ta,ed IT, few years later he became fenian, and
served as an officer in the Fenan Army"
which crossed ths border at St. Adams
to invade Canada. In the exposure inci-
dent TO that bloody campaign the lrishman
contracted the gout from which, il is said. ne has
suffered more or less since. When the Areariges OK
Pensions law was enacted. the Irishman conceived
the happy thought Of applying for pension. no
cot nm his evidence with great care, so tnat 'herc
should be no flaw in il, and sent his application 70
Warrington. The evidence appeared 10 DO sum
cient and conclusive and the per.son was gtan'eu
Tba Fenian received arrearages arnonntlngts s sao
% savaral tbonsand dollars. How many other PEN
sor.,s now ON the rolls incurred their disabilities
'.,;Ia ssrvnG in the ranks of the Fenian Army iss
not known. -, en-.
SENATOR Davis, of West Virginia, chairman Oh Tue
sanata Appropriations Committee on the l2tn INST
oddrassed letter to the Commissioner OF PENSIONS
=; ,vbich he made several Inquiries respecting the
omarnt reouired 10 ueet the provisions OF tue Ar
rearaoes of Pensions acts Of January 20 and March
| 1879: the amount required annually to pay pen
sioners in future as the laws now stand, and ths
amount annually paid ont upon fraudaiept PENSIONS
| I he Commiss;oner has prepared and seat reply
Senator Davis, which will DO placed oeiofe sns