The Baltimore County union., 1883-11-03
CorrsspoHdsnes Baiiimors County UHioa.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.



wAsHIxoToS, D. c., Oct. 3Oth, 1883.
hssrs. Editors One of the results Of Justice
Harlan having been the only Judge on the Bench
to dissent fren the decision Of the Supreme Court
IN the Civil Rights matter q week or ago, has
been to create boom fof him for the Presidency
among the eoiored people and their friends. which,
u 10 alleged, would be formidable in the next
National Republican convention. " all the eolorcd
people were 20 hvld together in the Spuih aud
SEND delegates 90 the convention Who could be re.
lied on 90 adhere TO his interests after they had
reached the Convention. This naturally led some
newtpa er reporter 90 seek out Justice Harlan and
interview him on the subject of his prospects for
the high Office aud whether such a boom was con.
genial TO his tastes. When found Justice Harlan
told the reporter that he dii not wish to be em.
barrassed by politics. and that he did not credit
publication shown him by the reporter TO the
effect that such a movement was on foot In hir
favor. There 10 no doubt. however, that the col
ored people we're greatly pleased with the stahd
that Justice Harlan took In this matter, he con.
tending that the true impor, and intention 90 the
18th and 18th as we'll perhaps as the 18th Amend
ments were TO confer equal socio- civic ~ we'll as
equal legal and citizens rights upon the eolored
race, and that therefore. this legislation embraced
in the Law Of February 27th, 1875, which has now
been declared unconfituiional. being in the line
Of that intention and purpose was constitutional,
and he therefore dissented from the decision Of
the remainder of the Bench. In their enthusiasm
over Jasiice Harians action, large sized portrait
Of the Justice vas secured, 10 be displayed at the
Civil Rights meeting at the church,
next Friday evening. In order 10 further ere the
hearts OF the colored people. but by the interer-
encc Of friend of Justice Harlan the display Of
this portrait has been prevented, Il being stated
that the Judge would be avcFsc 90 any such thing
and thus he wasspared being made the freedmen's
champion OF Civil Rights, and tho compulsion,
perhaps. Of declining possible Presidential nom.
ination. Justice Harlan l. n native Of Kentucky.
lie was 4 colonel 10 the Union army from that
State, has been offered at different times several
honorable positions. which he declined, and at
last he was appointed 20 the Supreme Bench By
President Hayes But ono Of the curious facts
brought 10 light by recent developments, aud that
perhaps has had a. much 10 do with checking the
ardor Of the coiored people In his favor for their
Presidential candidate, 10 that during the pending
Of both the 18th and 18th Amendments 20 the
Constitution. and before their adoption hy the
people. be vent out West 10 use his whole inau.
snee In the Western and Southern States against
their adoption.
President Arthur. who has proved himself to be
one Of the best Presidents the country has ever
had, has been the recipient Of many eneoniutns
since he has been In the Presidential chair, but
none more hattering than that from Lord Chief
Justice Colefidge, q visitant here who says "Ile
10 true type Of perfec, American gentleman"
Commissioner Dudley, Of the Pension Bureau,
has been for some time endeavoring 20 break up
agents, who have been robbing tho Government Of
large sums Of money, but now District Attorney
Corkhiil has joined him In his raids upou the
whole class Of dishonest claim agents who have
been praetieing before that Bureau, whether they
robbed the Government or the applicants for pen.
sions whose cases were put into their hands 10
prosecute; and some Of the largest firms in the
business IN this city are feeling the smart of their
combined blows. Last week the additional drms
of Gslston 4 Co., n. W. Fitzgerald 4 CO., and
Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood. tho we'll known female
attorney, were suspended from practice before the
Bureau. AZ first the crimes most taken notice Of
were whore. through their agency, claims that had
no Foundations at all Of honesty wherein a right
TO pension could be based, the parties either hav.
ing never teen In service or faise afdayts Of dis
ability, which they had never incurred there we're
obtained. applications Of rebel soldier, for
pensions were hlet all Of which were crimes q
Grand Jury could take cognirance Of and TO which.
no doubt. many Of them will be sent. But
now Col. Corkhil has called attention 10 the fact
that applicants for pensions are being robbed,
some such ssodH' opsrandi a. the following being
used: The applicant 10 sent q circular Itatinx
that he or she Is entitled under the laws Of Con
gress TO pension. and for them 20 send on their
applications. The application IL made out and
sest on by the applicant and 10 then fled 10 the
Pension Office. which is the last done with IL 90
far rs any further effort Is made by the claim
agent toprosecute the claim is concerned, But
plicants. asking for small amounts - from one 10
Eve dollars. always, however. keeping within the
limits Of the legal fee Of ten dollars-to help de-
fray the "heavy expenses Of Office or letter post
age" or for some other like cause, and usually
containing some hattering announcement with re-
gard 10 the progress Of the individuars claim
And thus the poor applicants are muleted out Of
various sums Of money without receiving any SER
vice in return, which. when collected into the
agents tiii', aggregate good. large sum. Al.
though u has often been announced in the public
prints that the services Of claim agents are not
| necessary TO prosecute claims before the Pension
Office. and that the Office itself would answer any
correspondence or give any instructions 20 appli
eants how 90 proceed in order TO get their claims
allowed, yet claimants seem TO think that this
fraudulent class Of "bleeders are necessary TO ,e
cure their interests. Two evils arise 10 the claim
ants themselves from this source: First, they are
kept in = state Of hope Of getting . pension, and
allow Themselves to be bled from time 10 time, as
| stated above, when the agent knows we'll they arc
not entitled 10 and cannot secure one. and second
ly, by the non action Of the agent, some appIi-
eants who really might be entitled TO pension IN
der the Law, relying the said aeen, 20 attend 10
the matter for them. they never receive the pen .
| sions: the moral Of all Of which 10 that pension
claim agents should be let alone, except In case
his services should be needed at home 20 help So
cure evidence, and all applicants should write
direct 20 the Commissioner of Pensions about their
| claims. ASoS