The National tribune., 1882-04-29
Needless and Incxcusable Delay.


In a recent issue we had occasion to refer
to the case Of a soldier who died in New
York last winter from the effect of wound
received twenty years ago, and we remarked
at the time that although such occurrences
were not very frequent they were not by any
means rs rare as many persons supposed
We find il an Ohio journal of a Late date ar
account of a case that IN some respects Is
even more noteworthy. 1t is that of man
who entered the service when he had just
! attained his majority, and who, while en-
gagged with his command on Cheat Noun
tain, West Virginia, was struck by falling
tree and severely injured. He was plucky
lad, however, and stuck to his regiment
accompanying it on a fatiguing march to
Clarksburg and thence by rail and water to
Louisville, where he Joined the army under
General Buell. The effects of the blow parti-
ally were away and after three years service
he was honorably discharged. In course OF
time he married and became the father OF
three children. Ten years after his dis
charge he began again to suffer from the
Injuries which he had sustained while in
the army, and within the next six years
he became totally disabled. With a family
of four persons dependent upon him for sup
port his situation, it must be admitted by
even the most cynical, was decidedly pitt
able. Evidently there was no other course
open to him but to apply to the Government
titled. Two years ago he took that step and
forwarded his papers to the Pension Bureau.
Unfortunately, as it turned out, having re-
manned on duty despite his injuries, instead
Of putting himself under surgeons care, he
was unable to produce any hospital record,
and it is very doubtful whether his pension
will be granted, and special act of Congress
may be required to meet his case
Butsupposing that he had hospital record
and his papers were all in proper form, the
business of the Pension Office is so sadly in
arrears that several years might elapse be-
fore his claim could be reached in the usual
course of examination and acted upon. The
reports of Commissioner Dudley show that
there are upwards OF two hundred and fifty
thousand claims now on file and awaiting ad-
Indication, and at the present rate of settle
ment it will require from five to ten years
to dispose of them. There is no reason to
doubt that the percentage of bona tide arpli-
cations is as great as among those hitherto
examined, and certainly the applicants are
quite as much entitled to have their claims
promptly passed upon as those who filed
their papers Immediately after the war. 1t
is also fair to presume that among these
applicants are many who are quite as much
in need Of the aid which the Government
has obligated itself to extend to thenl as the
poor soldier already referred to, and this
delay-this needless and inexcusable delay,
as we regard tin the settlement of their
claims must inevitably entail great suffering,
if not actual poverty and distress, upon
thousands to whom the Nation owes debt
much more sacred and holy than that which
is represented by the interest bearing bonds
OF the Government.
We say this delay is needless and mex
cusable, and with good reason. In the first
place, it is due solely TO the lack of sufficient
clerical force in the Pension Bureau to prop
erly transact the business of that office.
This fact is within the official knowledge of
since it is clearly and explicitly
set forth in a special report made by Com
missioner Dudley to the House at the pres
ent session. In the second place, this delay
is needless and inexcusable because the Gov
with an annual surplus Of $780,
100000 at its command, can well afford to
hire the additional clerks that are required
in the Pension Bureau in order to dispose of
its arrearages Of business This fact is also
within the official knowledge of congress, as
a necessary consequence of its acquaintance
with the condition of the Treasury. 1t is
then, that must be held response
BILE for this delay, and the members of that
body should be made to understand that
public sentiment will not tolerate its in
action much longer. Let our ex-soldiers by
letter, petition, and every other lawful means,
impress upon their Representatives the ne
cessity and importance of increasing the
force in the Pension Office, and persist in
their demand until it is granted. We an
swer for it that Congress will not long re-
main dumb to their wishes.
United We Stand.