The National tribune., 1882-12-14
Cnmmis.ioncr Dudley's Report.

is very interesting paper and bears evil
dsnce of great care in its preparation. 1t is
By far the most comprehensive and eX-
haustive that has yet emanated from the
Pension Bureau, and we trust our readers
will give it an attentive and thorough peru
sal. It is our intention hereafter to take up
AMI discuss its recommendations in detail
AMI we shall content ourselves, therefore
at the present time, with a mere reference to
its most striking features.
In our Judgment, there is nothing in the
whole Isport of such immediate pertinence
as the Commissioners remarks upon the
subjects Of raak and grade of pensions, and
for the sake of making this clear to our
readers we have Isuroduced in connection
Herewith the oflicll table showing the
different rates of pensioa per month and the
number pensioned to each rate Of the army
and navy invalids on the Ioll, June 30th,
1882 1t will be seen by reference to this
table that there are at present III ratings
employed in the Pension Office, ranging in
value from 81 to 800 per month, the differ
ence between the ratings in some cases being
only eight cents, and in but six cases excee1-
ing one dollar. Out of total of 175 900
army and navy invalids there are 1856
drawing the minimum pension Of 81 per
month, $4,000 drawing but 50 per month,
1854 drawing but s. per month, 42,772
drawing but 81 per month, 27, 708 drawing
but So per month, and 98,O41 drawing less
than s. per month. Between these ratings,
J. e., 81 and s. per month, there is one pen
sioner rated at $i.33 per month, one at $1.60,
two at S1.S7, three at 1888, one at 1915, one
at $500, two at $3.50, one at $475, three at
$5.25, two at $3.50, two at $3.50, four at
%6.75, and six at S7.75. The absurdity Of
such a classification is apparent on its face,
for no sensible man viii pretend that there
is any such appreciabe difference in the dis
abilities of pensioners as would warrant the
rating of three at S5.25 per month and sir
hundred and Hirty-sir at $5.33 per month.
1t is high time that these incongruities in
the pension ratings were swept out of exis-
tence and new and simpler classification,
based upon actual instead of imaginary
differences in degree of disability, substi-
tuted in their place.
Equally important is what Commissioner
Dudley has to say in regard to giving the
question Of disability precedence over that
of rank in determining the amount Of pen
sion due claimants, and it is time that this
matter received the attention of Congress-
We are glad to see that the Commissioner
is alive to the Importance of protecting pen
sioners, as well as the Government against
imposition, and in his remarks upon special
examinations takes care to emphasize the
importance of an entente c0rdiale being es-
tablished between claimant aud Govern
ment-that is to say, in fair play being
assured to both Ills recommendations,
unlike those Of his predecessor, Mr.. Bentley,
do not leave one under the impression that
he regards all claimants as primdJacie inn
posters, and, if possible, therefore, to be pre-
vented from obtaining pensions.
Our readers will be greatly interested in
the Commissioners statements concerning
the present status of the business of his
Office and the efficiency Of the clerical force
at his command. II is evident that he is
bent upon acceerating the settlement of
claims in every possible way, and we enter
tain the hope that his busness-lze presen-
tation of the needs Of the office Will induce
Congress to entrust him with the disburse-
ment of any balance that may remain unex-
pended of the sum appropriated for increase
of force, so that applicants for pension may
suffer no loss through the unavoidable delay
that has taken place in organizing the new
force.
1t is worthy of special remark, Also that
the Commissioner has undertaken the work
of codifying the decisions that have been
rendered on appeals from the rulings of his
office, so as to harmonic the practice of the
Bureau and reduce the chances of error to
the minimum. 1t shows that Commissioner
Dudley is disposed to neglect no opportu-
nifty of increasing the efficiency of his Office,
and a systematic, sensible business-like ad-
ministration of the Pension Bureau, is of all
things most to be desired
In short, the Commissioners report is such
as to warrant the belief that the hopes that
have been built upon his administration
will be fully realized ere the present fiscal
year has come to an end, and we cOngratu-
late our ex-soldiers upon their good fortune
in having such a capable and faithful COM
rade to look after their interests.
The Gettysburg Campaign.
The evacuation of Wischester, Virginia,
by General Alilroy has been the source of so
much adverse criticism that we have
thought best to give more of the details
than might at first glance be deemed neces-
sary.
The advance of General Ewell was so
] L 4 III. =