The National tribune., 1881-02-01
tho obtaning Of pensions Why should pension agents

The trouble they get profits unless the pensions are
allowed if pensions are being allowed the profits
are not derived
The Senator from West Virginia says that il tne pen
sons allowed it will cost the Government excessive
amount of money. Now the Senator says he wants to
facilitate the obtaining of pensions and yet he says II
will cost amount of money the taxpayers
of this country should like to ask the Senator from
West Virginia if he is for this bill will the
interests of the pensioners why does he undertake de
monstrate this amount that it will cost the
reope?
Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia. Will the Senator give
wayP
Mr. LOGAN. will certainly give way to the Senator to
explain.
Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia am for this bill or any
other bill that will punish the fraudulent pensioners and
give those justly to pensions their money.
! Mr. LOGAN That is the reason is it
! Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia. That is the reason My
desire is to reach those who are receiving pensions dis
honestly, if there be such and l believe there
want to reach the dishonest ones the honest
to pay.
this bill because it will reach fraudulent pensioners II
that the merit of this BILL why ali this array Of figures
showing the amount of pension money the people have
got to pay? Has that anything to do with the argument
for detecting fraudulent pensonersf
Mr. DAVIS, of West Virginia l think it is good bill
and the necessity of passing this bill other to
prevent the payment of part OF this money itself to
fraudulent persons is shown by the figures representing
our present expenditure.
Mr. LOGAN. Then how will it prevent frauds? The
Senator does know that there fraudulent pen
sioners; he cannot demonstrate how this will prevent
fraud how it is going do it; and call his aten-
ton and that of the chairman of the Pensions Committee
to thing Under the law it exists to-day the Com
missioner of Pensions has the right have any pensoner
in the United States examined by surgeon any time
he sees proper Is not that true? The Commissioner
has the right send special agent special deputy of
hts to examine any pensloner in the United States
matter where he lives at any time. That the law The
Commissioner may appoint additional surgeons for
nations. That is the law now. He may appoint addi-
tona inspectors, if you may call them by that name
examine pensioners. That is the law now. The Com
missioner of Pensions may suspend any pensoner the
rel That is the law de may stop any pensoner receiy
7 fafrh hfc Hhof Tho lazy Man oil
how is that you want law with power to stop
frauds than exists If the Commissioners has power
suspend any pensioner has power reexamine him.
has power TO take new evidence has power to send
special agent examine him. to bring him before
geon for examinations tell me what power you desire
should be committed to his hands for the purpose of de-
tecting frauds?
With all the power that be given a man under
the laws of tho United States that Commissioner is to
day he empowered 10 detect fraud to dismiss pensioners
to have them examined anywhere any place, by
geons appointed and to appoint additional surgeons
say he detect fraud. Why sir, give that power
and will ask no Congress to pass bill TO enable to
detect fraud
The trouble is not in the dishonest pensioners; il is not
because of their intention of obtaining money faudu
eny The trouble is that the head that administers the
laws is competent for it. There is the trouble sir
Make a Commissioner of Pensions who has ability
to administer the law is written in the statutes
and will have necessity for amendment to your
pension law.
The Senator from Virginia thorght he had made a
great point when he said that pension agents hover
spoken me, would allow in any way to influ
in my action in reference TO this question
sorry that he brought THAI into this arguments that does
not look like high and elevated augmentation when
wishes to lug in some little thing outside TO affect
BILL and talks of pension agents and claim agents.
have heard that before; it has terrors for me, sir
But Senators talk about petitions being sent ont by
claim agents. Ah sir petitions have been sent
both sides will not say by whom on the side that the
Senator advocates but equally dshonorable perform
the the other side if what he states is
will not dabbe in the dirty waters of claim agents
any of the mud stirred up by the Commissioner of Pen
ons order to either advocate aud advance this bin
TO defeat il.
What is the effect Of this bl2 Not to benefit the
soldier not to protect the Government What do you
do You appoint this bin board of surgeons in each
district You have surgeons there If they not
competent turn them and put in others. You have
surgeon in almost every county In nearly every county
in my State the Pension Commissioner has appointed
examining sergeOns aud III the city of Chicago there is
board of examining surgeons, and all gentlemen who
stand high in the medical profession any men in
this Nation So it is all over the country The surgeons
multiplied when necessary under the law it exists
down counties, examine pensioners; and yet