The National tribune., 1882-04-29


express an opinion Oh the subject. Commits
sioner Dudley's communication to Congress
which we recently published, it will be re-
collected, demonstrated the necessity for al
increase in the force Of the Pension Office and
since the statement was prepared the demands
upon that branch Of the public service have
not only shown the necessity that exists for an
improved equipment, but shows that unless
relief is soon provided the cmharrassments of
the Pension Bureau will be increased. Thus,
for example General Dudley states that during
tho month of March the number Of new claims
filed was in excess Of the number examined,
showing that unless the Commissioner is pro-
vided with proper facilities the work Of his
Office must continue TO be retarded. and the
delay in passing upon the mertorious claims
of soldiers he still further prolonged. That
Generel Dudley is using every means within
his power TO have the claims now on file passed
upon as rapidly as possible, no one can doubt,
who is familiar with the thorough system that
prevails in mis- Office In no other Department
Of the Government service, probably, has the
civil service reform rule been so rigidly applied
rs in this Bureau, and ii is TO be regretted that
a similar system has not been introduced in
some of the other Departments. General Dud-
ley expressed himself gratifed at the announce
ment of The NATIONAL TRIBUNE's intention
TO obtain the views Of Congrcssmen, ana re-
marked, that while he felt assured Congress
would eventually pass the necessary bill to
afford relief, yet it is of the utmost Importance
that it be passed at once, in order that the dis
tress and suffering caused by the delay in ad-
justing pension claims be diminished. The bill
10 increase the force in General Dudley's Office
and to provide better accommodations for the
dispatch of business in the Pension Bureau, is
before the Committee on Appropriations, and
from conversations with its members THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE is enabled to make the
gratifying announcement, and in advance of
any journal published in the country, that the
bill will be reported favorably in about ten
days.
WHAT CoNGREssMEN HAVE TO SAY ABOUT 1T.
After ascertaining the above important fact,
General Tom Browne, of Indiana, who, as chair
man of the Pensions Committee, has charge of
the bill to increase the clerical force of the
Pension Office, was interviewed on that sub
ject He said:
After being favorably considered by all the
different Pension Committees, it was referred
to the Committee on Appropriations. BY them
it has also been considered favOrably, and
hope soon to bring it up in the House for dis
cussiOn and vote" sr.. sf.s".
" And the sentiment of the House 2"
"Ohl almost unanimously in its favor. There
may, of course, be some objection. There al |
ways are obstTuctionists in every Congress, you |
know" he added, parenthetically, but feel |
in hot h,
very slight"
When shall you get it up?"
AT the earliest possible moment When it |
does come up think there will be very little |
delay"
In corroboratiOn of Representative Brownies |
assertion that the sentiment of Congress largely |
favors the increase, it may be said that out of |
fifty Members and Senators who were ap- !
preached on the subject, that in no one case
was the slightest objection made. Our repre-
sentative jotted down the replies of quite a
number, which, with the names, are given in
brief below
Mr.. Belford, of Col: a favor it heartily:
it viii pass beyond question:
Senator Ferry, Of Mich: You NAV say that
l favor any measure which will bring up the
genuine; and as the petitioners for the most
part, are IN needy circumstances / sincerely
trust the bill may become a law"
Senator Jones' of Fla: Yes, indorse the
bill and shall vote for it,
Senator Hawley, Of Core al have not seen
the bill, but as Mr.. Dudley has called for the
increase, believe that it is necessary, and will
cast my vote in the affirmative"
Mr.. Anderson, of Kansas: "The bill ought
10 pass. am III favor Of Increasing the force
to five thousand, if necessary"
Mr.. Nealc, of Ohio q heartily agree with
my distinguished colleague, as above"
Mr. Randall of Penn: No you don't, young
fellow You don't get me into any such tanglc
as that / won't express any opinion until the
bill comes up in the House."
Mr. Muchlcr of Penn: al see no objection
to the measure. ] sec no reason why it should
2ot become a law
Mr.. Randall Gibson Of La: "I haven't
looked into tho matter at all. Being an e1-
confederate bricadier, feel a dclicacy about
expressing an opinion Oh such matters, and
usually vote with my Democratic friends of the
North 1 should think, however, from what
you say, that it IS a mGcl-uceded bill and 5Yill
IAObohAS lSSS.
General Flcyd King, Of La: "Yes: III vote
for it."
Mr.. Scoville, Of n. Y. "I think the opposi-
ton TO it will be very Slight"
Mr.. }. Hyatt Smith, Of y. Y: at oprbt to
pass by all means"
Dir. Richardson, Of n. =: "Yes. indeed.
favor it heartily"
Mr.. Ben ButterwOsth, of Ohio: at will mass
undoubtedly"
Governor Tom Young. of Ohio: "Ob vce
It'll pass by all means"
Mr.. Flower, Of New York: al think +bo
Democrats win support it as cheerfullv rs the
Republicans. At al events l shall, for It iso
just and equitable measure"
Mr.. Ryan, Of Kansas: II think itu ~
through with hulrah.'
Mr. Updegraf of Iowa: "The bill will have
my heartiest support. There has been too much
delay in examining these claims already. I
am in fa7or Of approrriating whatever sum is
necessary TO properly equip General Dudlcy's
Office His department is conducted on the
strictest business principles and he should have
all the force necessary to dispatch his business
/ shall certainly vote for the bill"
Mr.. Urncr, Of Md the only Republican
member from that Statc-said "I think the
bill will undoubtedly piss. 1t will have NY