New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-21

Haskell, of Kansas the latter giving the result Of
his personal observation as to the usefulness OF col
portage On the frontier.
RELIEF OF PENSION CLAIMANTS.
ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECTS IN THE SIXTY SURGEONS
BiLL-IMPoRTANCE OF sOME ACTION ny THE
PRESENT CONGRESS - POINTS OF SENATOR
BLAIR's Bill.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 20.-If this expiring Congress
fails as it seems in fair way to do, to make ade-
quate provision for the speedy and equitable adjust
ment of the pending pension claims. it will merit
the serious charge of grossly negectng the inter-
ests of the most numerous and deserving
class in its respective constituencies In some re-
specs the debate upon this bect was the most re-
markable of recent years when subject of such far
reaching Importance has been under consideration.
The evils of the present system acknowledged
to exist. They had been foretold many months be-
fore they reached their present agnitude and the
causes which were found to produce them had been
officially aud repeatedly called to the attention OF
Congress and the public years in advance yet
the well-matured remedy disposed of upon
simple question of order, the only argument against
it being that of Senator who admitted that he had
little acquaintance with the general principles of
the present system, and who could not himself offer
auy well-defned substitute.
As very doubtful makeshift it is now proposed
and raise committee to consider that which has
already been too long considered with the presump-
ton that within the year or two which it will re-
Quire for the special committee to go over the
familiar grounds Congressman, upon whose intelli-
gence and whose votes action must finally depend,
will in the meantime take pains TO inform them
selves in regard to the necessities Of the situation.
The bill reported by the Senate Committee on
Pensions had grave defects. but embodied the one
essential principle which experience has shown to
be necessity for the rapid and just settlement Of
pension claims-namely, the machinery for bring
ing the claimants and their witnesses face to face
near their own homes. with those who, as the rep
resentatives of the Government, were to judge the
merits of their claims under the law. Reserying
this feature, the misnamed "Sixty Surgeons bill "
was an excellent basis for legislative amendment
and action. 1t was framed when an exciting
political campaign was approaching and
was not free from Objectionable polit-
cal features. Its provisions for the adj
judieation of claims In the Congressional
Districts arbitrary and took no cOgnzance Of
the varying necessities of the respective districts
1t provided for the entire destruction at one blow
of the business of pension claim agents, who. under
the old system had been necessity, and who. under
any system might useful purpose 1t left to
the possibly varying Interpretation OF successive
Commissions IS OF Pensions important features which
might and ought to be made arbitrary features OF |
the Pension laws Some of these defects were
huted at during the haphazlrd debate which took
place upon the Pension Appropriation bill, but abso
lutey nothing was attempted the way of amend
ment; and the whole matter was brushed aside as
If the pressln interests of 300 000ex Union soldiers
or their surviving dependents not important
as any other subject which could occupy the atten-
tion of Congress.
Taking all these things into consideration. Sena-
tor Blair member of the Pensions Committee has
perfected bill which few days ago introduced
aud is now the calendar. 1t retains practically
the district system of the Sixty Surgeons
BILL but authorizes the Commissioner of Pensions
In his discretion, to consolidate two or more dis
tricts under a single examiner and surgeon, and to
increase the number to four of each in any particu-
lar district. according to the number of claimants
residing in it, II takes cOgnizlnce of the wellknOwn
fact that justice under the present System is often
to many deserving claimants. because
by reason of lapse of time many necessary points Of
evidence which are matters of common report are
not remembered with sufficient dstinctness by any
one person to be sworn to. but which may be esab-
llshed beyond reasonable doubt by one who shall
make them the subject of neiRhbOrhOod inquiry.
In terms it requires the district examiners to take
into cOnslderation-where more absolute evidence
not at hand matter of reputation, hcarsay aud
common report.n When a claimant or wlt1ess ia
unable, by reason of Illness disability poverty or
any other good cause" to 20 to the examiners. tue
latter to go to him. All the testimony already
filed is 10 be taken into account in support of the
pending claims and only when insufficient or
Trajectory is to be made the subject OF inquiry by
the district examiner.
The favorable decision of tie district examiners is
a pTima face establishment of the validity of the
clam. Pensions once granted are not to be sus-
pended until alter an examination has been made
and decision rendered. At present the suspension
may precede the examination. and the two may be
long time apart. An adverse decision by the Com
missioner may be appealed to the Secretary of the In
terror aud thence to the most easi acces-
sbe District Court of the United States II the ap-
pcant is successful the are borne by the Gov
ernment. Finally, and not least III Importance the
claimants may employ claim agents and attorneys as
at present. and may thus have an advocate before
the Court.
1t is the belief OF pension experts that under
the district system a single witness who may be
cross-examined face TO face by examiners who are
at the same time impartial judges will often be able
to establish the validity of claims where several
witnesses are required now. This measure is under
stood TO meet with the approval of several members
of the Senate Committee on Pensions, and it should
by all means be taken up and the subject disposed
Of before adjournment.
PARD0NED BY TIE PRESIDENT
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