Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-07-05
ABOUT SOLDIERS PENSIONS.


Hon. LEWIS HANBACK-Dedr Sir have
your favor OF the oath ultimo, in which you
ask for the present condition OF the claim
of Samuel Dobbins. late Of company G, 18th
Ohio volunteers, No. 349, 345. i find upon q
personal examination, that the claimant Is
ing when and where the disability for which
pension Is claimed originated, and proof to
show the continuance Of the disability 10
the present time, called for June 81, 1882 ;
and the result Of medical examination or
dered at Junction City, Kansas, before the
board there, April IA, 1888.
This is type Of large number Of cases
in which the claimants are evidently under
an impression that something besides the
legal proof will avail to secure pension.
aware that it frequently works hardship to
send q man before board Of surgeons ut q
point distant from home. but, as It is done
in almost every case In the claimants inter-
est, he should not complain. ! only wish
that the interest OF the service would justi-
fly Inc in establishing . larger number OF
medical examining boards; but In point Of
fact it has been ascertained that multi
plicity Of boards destroys the efficiency of
the service, because We cannot command
the services of the best surgeons upon
them.
This claimant was examined at Beloit on
the 10th Of September, 1881. His condition
at the present time-two years later-is GER
tainly too important factor t, be passed
over, and an examination would fix the
grade of pension to which he would be en-.
titled. However, In this case IL will be inn
possible to take any further steps until be
furnishes the evidence called for.
The Intervention OF members Of Congress
is thought by great many people to sup
ply the place of proof asked for. This IL
not the case, and never will be, Of course.
When member OF Congress, at the request
OF claimant, asks us for the status Of .
case, we shall certainly send 1t to him, as
we did to you in answer to your inquiry
personal in this case, which was sent to..you
on the 23d of May.
We shall probably finally dispose Of over
$4,000 original pension claims this year, and
hope to largely increase that result next
year. forward you by to days mail copy
Of my last annual report, which is full Of
interesting statistics, which l know will
prove interesting to those whom you speak
of, and will answer the questions suggested
in your letter much better than could in q
personal letter. am very anxious that the
boys should understand that while have \
warm heart for the soldier, ~ ought to
have, have double duty to do. 1t seems
to me that my position might be similar In
many respects to that OF trustee Of m ex-
press trust. The government certainly de-
sires that every man that suffered disable
ity in its service, and who now suffers the
same should have pension, rated for the
proper degree OF disability; but it should
be remembered also that II IL not the pres
ent condition Of disability which affords
the best index Of the right OF the soldier
to pension. Under our munificent pension
laws the first element OF title consists In be-
ing able to show, either by record or lay
testimony, that the disease contracted or
the injury received for which disability IL
claimed had its origin In the service and
line OF duty. However distressing the
present condition of the claimant may be,
unless this fact appears, pension cannot be
granted except by special act Of Congress.
II all would remember this, much hard feel.
ing would be avoic ed.
know that, In the nature Of things, Il
often happens that man who was mlain-
gerer in the service 10 able TO prove that be
contracted disease In service and line Of
duty, and a continuance Of his disability
since discharge, and 20 receives pension,
while man who served faithfully with his
company throughout the service. and with.
In few years breaks down In health and
actually becomes disabled Qnferentially
from exposure In the army 10 unable to
produce the proof necessary TO procure him
. pension. But such instances are not the
rule, but rather the exception. The rules
under which we are acting are liberal. and
favor most the faithful soldier who bears
his hardship uncomplainingly. or one
thing you must be assured, that Il II my
pending business before this Office n speed
ily ~ possible, In order that ill these who
are justly entitled may receive their PEN
sions before Il Il too late; and at the same
time TO exercise the keeusst vigilance thst
the dead-beat, malingerer, and unworthy
men be kept OF the pension-rolis, and IN
this know have the hearty cooperation
Of every soldier worthy the name. l hope
you will give more than casual reading 70
my last annual report, for in ityou will fad
many things Of interest to the people gen
orally. thank you for your kidd letter,
and remain. Very truly your,
w. ". DUDLEY.