Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-03-08
THAT PENSION CASE AGAIN.

Last WIN VIZ ~ 'N'-h
neiyhbor of Gilbert f. Shaw, replied TO
our article concerning Shaw pension
|, j. evident from this communication,
that Mr.. King thinks Shaw l. NO, entitled
IN government aid. We believe, how
ever. that he mas not examined the evI-
dence in the case with sufficient care, or
be would arrive at different conclusion.
In the tr,, place. he >ay' that tor seven
wears after the war, he did not Know OF
Shaws disability. although he had al
tended school with him and had other
wise frequen, communication. Ihis fact
NAV satisfy Mr. King TIA; Snas was 40:
an invalid. but il Is negative testimony
and cannot weigh against the positive
evidence presented by Shaw. Rev. \.
c. Herrick who WAS or many years prlu-
cipal OF Hebron Academy, gives a clear
and positive aFid1rit concerning shaw ;
disability. He SAYS that before gong
into the army. Shaw attended the Actd
emv. and followed the prescribed conr~e
Of study. Ga his return from the army,
Mr.. Herrick SAYS 1.-THE change IN his APP
pearance WAS 80 great ] noticed it at
once. lie then saws Shaw was excused
from all but one study ON account Of MS
disability, which, II was generally under
stood, among the faculty and students.
had been incurred BY sun>troke in the
army. This j. better evidence than Mr..
Kings statement that he had never
known Of MS being III for seven years of
that time" But Shaw presents further
testimony on TINS polnt- o. \. Maxim
OF Paris Hill, furnishes an affidavit IN
regard 20 the matter; SAYS Staw had a
slow. unsteady walk, which the invalid
attributed 70 sunstroke 10 the army.
Maxim was Lieutenant in a Maine
Regiment and remembers the fact be-
cause he knew of many similar cases
which had come under MS observation.
Luther r. DAVIS OF Auburn, also testlteS
OF Snaws disability after ms return from
the army, and he knew Shaw both before
and after his army experience. Other
aUludN4tN NoNtl4lS Nu'' FSAAs' nav SNtA
presented 70 the pension department; hut
We have given enough 70 show that Mr.
King should not be 50 hasty in setting up
his lack OF knowledge against the posi-
tive statement of facts made by Others
who were situated so a. to be fully as
well aware of Shaw's condition as he
himself could be.
Again, Mr.. King says he was sworn
bv the agent sent to investigate Shaw's
case. and therefore believes that Others
whose affidavits appear on file at the
pen>ion department, also subscribed to
the same under oath. Rev. Judson VI.
Shaw of Andover. Mass, who has been
looking up this case for his brother. saws
that there are many ath1avits on file pre-
tending to come from parties in this Vi
cinitv. As stated two weeks ago, we
have seen d paper signed BY number of
these persons denying that any oath was
ever administered to them. One Of these
persons also states that he positively re-
fused 10 give any testimony or to sub
ccribe 20 any oath or statement. II Is
notorious fact that az present. the pension
department j. badly managed. A dis
,inguished and well known citizen If this
State, VINO mas been familiar with gov
eminent business for more than score
Of years, says that the Commissioner
seems to aim at preventing the issue Of
pensions rather than at the granting of
them. All those who are familiar with
the department, complain that their bust
ness Is retarded and hindered that they
can neither get hearing nor have their
cases acted upon, and that general neg
lect leads aud pervsdes in the office. OF
course il is a difficult thing to handle so
large a business, but if the department
puts out agents % investigate, they
should be honest men. who shall try to
get the facts, and not TO GIT one side
only. and who will not prevent testimony
nor forge afhdavits.
The matter of testimony in such cases,
is for the department at Washington,
rather than for the general newspaper
public; but as We have called attention
to the facts, We shall give little more
space to the case We have spoken of
the comrades who saw Shaw fall out Of
the ranks. Capt. Bolster testi6es posi-
lively in the matter, as do Others whom
We mentioned two weeks ago. Mr.. King
thinks the case would be stronger if DIR.
Lspham and the orderly sergeant OF the
| aompany bad testi6sd to Shaw's attack,