Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-10-08
A PRECIOUS SCHEME.
Why Agents Wanied The Pension
Lists Published.
WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE.
Marshall Couniians Who Receive Monthly
Dr'ppings From Uncle Sans TIL
GsrIington's Forthcoming
Report.

WASHINGTON, October 7.-Congress or
dered published the names OF persons on
the pension rolls, the amount drawn by
each, the reason for the allowance and the
place of residence in every instance. The
work is completed and the rolls are being
distributed.
Fora considerable time much earnest
ness has been manifested, and specially by
the pension agents, to obtain the lists, lt
| is not so clear what was the motive on the
part of Congress for ordering the publica'
ton further than that general curiosity
would be cratilied by showing who were
PENSIONERS, the amounts drawn and for
what. That any saving would be effected
thereby was not pretended at the time, nor
has it been made apparent since. There
seemed to be a general idea that if
Frauds Had Been Ommitted
they would be exposed.
Whatever ends besides these Congress
may have had in view, there are others,
and important ones, which 1t IS now ap-
parent will be subseryed. Had they been
foreseen it is hardly probable that the pub
lication, costing several thousands OF dol
lars, would have been ordered. The earn
estness Of the pension agents is now ex-
plained. and it is obvious why one and per-
haps more were willing to pay large sun
for the early possession Of the publication.
1t will place the agents in possession OF q
vast amount of knowledge of almost meal
culsble value which they did not before
have. An official possessing a perfect
knowledge of
The Pension Bureau Explains
that a complete list OF the names OF the
pensioners, with their places OF residence,
would at any time OF itself be OF great
value. 1t is what the agents have always
been trying to obtain, piece by piece. But
when - this knowledge is added the sums
allowed, with the reasons therefor, to each
person, the value OF the knowledge Is i'm,
mtnsely increased. The publication will
disclose in a vast number OF cases grounds,
,aCtual or pretended, for a demand for an
increase of pension. TO obtain this the
agents will offer to undertake, for fee, oil
course. in many cases 10 will not be ditii.
calf 10 make it appear that on account OF
subsequent development OF disease or dis
ability consequent on service in the army,
a lager amount is due under the laws and
strictly in accordance with established
rules and
The Universal Practice.
OF this pensioners are presumed to be
Ignorant They will be informed OF 1t By
pension agents, whose circulars will reach
them in the shortest possible time after the
rolls ordered by Congress come into their
possession. At least one fortunate agent
is now cumbering the mails with circulars
OF tHis description.
1t is the belief OF persons with special
knowledge derived from long experience
that in very many cases, unless the laws
are altered, increased pensions must be al
lowed, ana that in the aggregate this IN.
crease will amount TO a very considerable
SUN; that
The Pension Business
will be set aloat sgain over the old ground;
that the bureau will be flooded with appli.
cations for a reheariHg and without mich
regard to the grounds; so that whether the
sums incident to rehearing be small or
great vast amount of work has beeA laid
out for the bureau.
AS a consequence of the universal spy
system il is not difficult to perceive that
the Pension Bureau will be Hooded with
repres ent tatiOns that persons who are draw
ing pensions are suffering no disability and
that frauds have been perpetrated in OBJ
tanning the allowance. This would be ac-
cording to constant experience. Pension
ers do not always manifest outwardly their
disability, and the authorities are constant.
" receiving representations based on out
ward appearances that frauds have been
committed when there have been none
whatever. In this way great deal of Ia
Dor and expense have been OCCasioned, 1t
;S NOT in,nrohab ble that actual