The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-02-12
Mr.. Bentley and the Pension Laws.

From the Washington, ID. T., Free PieSS.
During the past four years the Commits
soner of Pensions has devoted a very large
proportion of his time to the utterance Of
complaints against the pension laws now in
force, and TO series of vigorous efforts to
secure "A radical change in the entire system
of adjudicating pension claims. That the
abundant zeal of the Commissioner has not
been prompted altogether by desire to pro-
tect the Treasury, may be fairly inferred
from the fact that when he lad before him
data showing that the arrearages of pensions
act would cost Sl50,0000OQ, he kept silent
in relation thereto, and permitted Congress
to pass that measure on the suppasltion that
it would cost but S2O,OOO,OOO. Here was an
opportunity to have enlightened Congress to
some purpose, but the power and patronage
of the Commissioner would not have been
increased by the defeat of that bill
As another indication Of this officers in
sincerity, it is worth noting that, while he
is always complaining Of q lack of sufficient
clerical force to keep claims from accumula-
ting in this office, he was able, during the
month OF October, 1850, when many of the
clerks were absent on political business and
when many OF those remaining here were
similarly employed, to dispose of 1900
claims, besides mailing vas. number Of
campaign documents. This rate, continued
throughout the year, will keep the docket
in good order by disposing of claims as rap
idly as the proofs are completed.
1t is the belief Of those who have given
much time and thought to the investigation
of this subject, that the faults of the present
system are not in the law, but in its admin
istration. For four years Commissioner
Bentley has bent all his energies to the
work of making this system appear as bad
as possible. Instead Ct using its advantages
for the successful prosecution of the work of
his office, he has confined his labors mainly
to the detection of imperlections and an eff
fort to magnify them. The change be pro-
poses will not, in our opinion, be productive
of any good, if it should unhappily be tried,
but it certainly will increase the power, the
patronage and influence of the Commission.
er. 1t will make him, practically, dictator
in the whole business of pension claims.
Let us look into the details of Mr.. Bent.
ley's bill, as amended. 1t provides that
lawyer and doctor shall be appointed as a
pensions court in each Congressional dis
trict. But the Commissioner can reduce
this number as often and as much as he may
deem eXpedient. This lawyeran this doc
tor are to take testimony, of course, as that
is the alleged object of their appointment,
but if they fail TO get testimony TO suit the
Commissioner in quantity or quality, the
bill provides that the commission may sup
ply the deficiency Gin such other manner as
the Commissioner Of pensions shall direct
The medical members of these boards are to
make examinations Of such nvalids only as
they "may be required by the Commissioner
of pensions to examine" The lawyer and
doctor are to go to see such witnesses as are
unable to 60 to them, provided the Com
]
the testimony which is to be taken by these
lawyers and doctors, there is no promise that
it shall be taken under the rules of law, but
"under instructions aud regulations to be
prescribed by the Commissioner Of pensions .
The bill requires the lawyer and doctor to
"visit each county seat in their respective
/ districts as often as three times in each year,
unless otherwise directed by the Commis-
sioner of pensions" They are to visit
"such other places in their respective dis
triets from time to time as they shall be di-
reeted by the Commissioner Of pensions to
visit. And they are to investigate fraudu
lent causes on the roll whenever the Com
missioner so directs.
! Absurd as all this seems we have quoted lit
/ orally from the bill--from the bill as amend
ed snd approved by men who call thom-
selves statesmen and lawyersl There is
nothing Of importance in the Lill that is not
left entirely at the discretion Of the Com
missioner 1t puts the whole matter OF ad-
Indicating claims into the hands fone man.
1t is proposed to do this thing at a cost OF
sl,50O,0OO. The object is to Get evidence
TO get evidence that shall not be er Parte.
But there is no provision in the bill for COM
pelliug tue attendance Of witnesses. In fact,
II does not hold out so much 90 the shadow
OF probability shat il will do % well As the