davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
TIE HUE and CRY
Which the Newspaper BIOOdhOGndS are
Raising Against Our eX-SOIdiers.
Likening Commissioner Dudley to a HigIiwaymnn.

Likentng Commissioner Dudley to HighWayman.
From the Ne,g York sun.
Of all the projects upon which the existence
of a surplus of S75,00O,OO0 produces the same
effect as a red flag does upon a bull none ex-
hibits more brazen etfontry and cynical con-
tempt for the taxpayers than the demand put
forward in the report Of the Commissioner Of
Pensions. Is it possible, it may be asked, that
any one at all cOnvCrsaut with the workings Of
the pension act-who knows what enormous
sums it has filchcd from the pockets of the peo-
pie, and at what a pOTtcutiOus rate its burdens
are increasin@-shOuld have the hardihOod to
propose that the scope of its iuroads upon the
public purse should be materially enlarged? q?
And this, too, when no adequate steps have
been taken to ferret out the frauds which, il is
believed are prosecuted on a colossal scale by
applicants and agents. Just such a cool propO-
sltlOn is made by Commissioner Dudley, who IS
Of the opinion that he ought to finger good
deal more money than now passes through his
hands, and that access to the public crib IS uu-
reasonably restricted by the existing statutes
Some pretencc of modesty and decenCy, we are
told, was made by the trainers Of the legislation
now in force, and the opportunity of plunder-
ing the taxpayers was trammelied by conditions
which have had the. effect of somewhat
limiting the number of applicants. Not
but that the multitude Of persons who
are willing to be burden upon
their fellow citizens is sufficiently formid-
able. The number of ex-volunteers now living
who have applied for pensions under the act is
said by Secretary FOlger to be 43S,JJ3, and the
number OF pensionable relatives of soldiers not
living who have applied is 297, sos. In other
words more than three-quarters Of million of
persons have already put forward claims to be
supported at the cost of our Woodworking
masses upon whose shoulders the bulk Of tax
alton must always rest One would suppose that
this army of pensioners might satisfy Commits
si0ner Dudley, no matter how much he might
feel inclined to magnify his Office; but such is
not the case. He estimates that there are
about n million more candidates for living at
the expense of other people, and that these
might be tempted to come forward if a free
handed legislature would but let down the bars
and repeal some of the annoying restrictions
now imposed. Accordingly, he addresses his
appeal to the FOrty-seventh Congress, convinced
that Washington is not likely to see for some
years a body Of men so conspicuous for the
species of generosity practised by highway
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
Pensions q GrieTOuS Burden.
Iron, the Boston Herald I

The Commissioner of Pensions in compli-
ance with Il request from the Senate, has sent
in an estimate of the increase OF the yearly
payment likely to be entailed by the passage
OF these new projects He rates the augmenta-
tion for which the pension ring is working in
one way or another, at total of $50 109, ,2SO
per annum, and ominously admits that, on
some points, his figures are little better than
guesswork. Indeed, one or two of the features
are so darkling that they quite defy conjec-
ture Such an addition would enhance the
grievOus burden of the national pensions by
One-half, and subject the people 10 a yearly
charge Of about $A,0O0,000 forthe pension pay
ments and the interest upon the capital sunk
in the disbursements for arrears That charge
would meet the interest at 3per cent the latest
rate of negotiation, upon debt of$3 49,, ,000, 600
a sum larger by 81 ,6l5, 100000 than the entire
interest-bearing debt of the United States
Surely we have made good our declaration
that eternal vigilance on pension issues may
almost be regarded as the price of the solvency
OF the Treasury.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
DeuouncinG ti,e SO Bill.
From The Bostol, Herald ]

Hundreds Of millions Of dollars have beer
already paid out in pensions TO hedefenders Of
the pati.u, or 10 the widows and children OI
those who lost their lives in the eseryice Now,
more than seventeen years after the close Of
the war when in the natural order of thing5
we should expect an annually diminishing exl
penditure ON this account. we are sbouldering
a fresh burden to the amount of one hundred
or one hundred and fifty million dollars pei
annum. There is now before the Senate a bill
which passed the House at the last session in
creasiDg the pensions Of those who lost an arui
or leg, or who suffered equivalent disabilii
ties" in the service. The passage of the bill
IS being urged with suspicious ardOr by numer-
GUS claim agents, and is supported by largd
number Of petitions.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
Attacking Old and FeebIe Soldiers.
From an Iotca Paper,

There are still million ex-sOldiers who have
never applied for pensions and as they are be-
ginning to get old and feeble they banker after
pensions and remember that their present all
ments date back IS or 20 years. In the case of
those who are suffering from old age their all
ment, doubtless dates back to their nativity,
but they don't propose to prove such an extreme
proposition as that They only want to show
that their suflerings began while in the army,
though thus far they have not been so acute
as to give them an excuse for asking for pen
sion. Since July /, 1881 these men can only
get pensions from the time they file their last
proofs. What they want is q repeal of all time
limitations so that whenever they begin to
feel sick they can ask for a pension back to the
date of discharge from the service. The pres
ent arrearages bill has cost vastly more than
what were three years ago denounced by the
champions of the bill as absurd exaggerations
If half million or million more cases are to
be added to the pension list and arrearages to
the time of discharge to be allowed in each case,
the doors of the treasury vaults might as well
be taken OF their hinges.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
Shutting the Door on Mexican Veterans.

The bill to give pensions of eight dollars a
month to all soldiers who served sixty days in
the army during he Mexican War or To their
surviving heirs has been reported favorahly to
the House and issaId TO havea very fair prospect
Of massage. Itis computed that this new measure
annual pension roll, but the experience with
the arrears bill was such that little confidence
is reposed in calculations made by the Pension
Bureau. 1t is now thirty-siX years since tn 4
close Of the, Mexican War and the soldiers diSi
abled either by wounds or sickness have long
been borne on the lists. This being true, 4
does appear that no necessity exists for placin D
upon the rolls the NAMES of men who wers
never injured and who, In many cases, never
saw any actual service. No great cry has gona
up for this recognition on the part Of the med
most interested and it would still seem both
wise and polite not to bestOw costly favOrs
which are not asked and cannot be expected.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
The Wicked Advocates of the $40 Bill.
[Fro1n Me s.. Lonis GIole- Denocrat.l

The original purpose Of pensioning was to
indemnify in measure those who were dis
abled. Now the idea seems to be that every one
who served at all shall be pensioned whether
disabled or not, with special allowance for
those injured. Petitions are coming in to Com
gres5 in great profusion for the enactment Of
this new bounty, and comparatively slight
examination Of the circumstances serves to
show that virtually all these appealing docu-
ments come from the hands of claim agents, and
are more or less fraudulent in their character.
Thus is the sacred right of petition turned into
a farce. Probably the schemers think Eat as
a Democratic House of Represeut natives is COM
ing in soon this is their last chance. But as any
one acquainted with public sentiment, especi-
ally with reference to the expensiveness of tho
arrears bill, is aware, this VIII prove the straw,
if any is needed, to break the camels back.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
This Thing Must Stop.
[EronL the 80 01serrerI

It is evident that there is a strong popular
demand for investigation into the matter Of ex-
penditure for pensions. NonstTous abuses have
crept into this branch OF Government outlay,
but the American people have with good-ns-
tured complacency been content to let the af-
fairs Of the Pension Department drift along.
The result is that an army of thievish " claim -
agents, frauds Of the worst type, have fastened
their fang5 on the Treasury, and are auda-
ciOusly pursuing their operations in defiance
of detection or exposure. The time has come
when the people demand that this thing must
stop.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
Pensions Unearned Fortunes.
TFrcu, he TEfco0o Tribune

The taxpayers have been asleep to the mag
nitude Of the outrageous arrears bill that
has been fastened upon them, and which IS suck
ing hundreds Of millions Of the fruit of their
toll from them. These arrears are now
claimed by tens Of thousands of men who pre-
viouS to the passage Of the act had never applied
for a pension, because in most cases they did
not consider their health had been sufficiently
injured in their military services to justify the
application. But when the bill was passed
allowing them seventeen to twenty years back
pensions, or $1,70O to s., 600, multitudes of men
were persuaded by the claim agents to file appli-
cations for these unearned fortunes. And since
then the taxpayers have been made to bleed.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
Branding Pensioners as Rascals.
[From ths ". 7. s,la.I

The first thing to be done in connection with
the pension act is to pass Senator Beck 5 reso-
luton calling for a list of the names and post
office addresses of every applicant whose claim
has thus far been field. Measures should then
be taken to publish in every city, town and
village the names Of the pensioners or appli-
cauts who are alleged to be residing there.
In that way each community would be able to
lay its hand on its own rascals, and within q
twelvemonth it is probable that the outflow Of
public moneys from the Pension Office would bo
materially curtaLled. Then the FOrty-eighth
Congress can discuss, if it deems fit the wsdOR
of Immensely adding to the public burdens by
following Mr.. Dudley's recommendations.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
Tens of Thousands of UninjGred Frauds"
Hmm tts Chicono TinlcsI

The pension expenditure has been increased
out of all proportion by the claim agent fraud
called the arrears bill" giving applicants
pensions since their muster out of the army, al
though they had not considered their health
sufficiently injured to apply for pension until
last year, and they only applied then because
they were tempted to 1t by $1,000 bribe. Gen.
Grant tells the naked truth when ne says that
most of these arrears" applicants are physi-
callv rs good as if the rebellion war had never
been fought There is no doubt of the truth Of
that remark, and it is the putting on the rolls
of tens of thousands Of these Uniniured frauds
that has swollen the pension appropriation TO
such frightiul size.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
Denouncins the Arrears act.
[From the y. 7. TriJ,ms.I

One of the most disgraceful acts of Congress,
at its last session, was its refusal TO take any
steps whatever to guard the Treasury against
the enormous frauds to which the Pension
Arrears act opened the door. If there are Re-
publican members who wish to regain public
confidence for their party, one of their earliest
and most earnest efforts will be TO secure the
adoption of some measure under which the
claims yet unpaid shall be thoroughly ex-
amined, and restrictions placed upon payments
until such examination has been made It IS
one thing to pay $1,000, 600, 600 year to honest,
deserving and actually disabled soldiers, and a
very different thing to pay half that sum to
claim agents, many Of whom make more money
by swindling than any soldier ever did by
fighting
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
A Slur from General Grant.

Gen. Grant writing to recommend the pas
sage of the bill increasing the pensions ofthose
who lost q limb, says: 81 concur in recon-
mending the passage of the above bill.
No pension can compensate the men who
have lost one or more limbs, and l should
well provided for instead of the indiscriMiaafe
pensioners, many of whom are physically as
good as they would hare been if the uar had neuer
been fonnht
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
Pensions Compared to star-Routo st,sls.
TFrom the Utica ~ y Herald.I

1t ought to be understood that the Congress.
man who votes for any more pension bills is
entitled to the same condemnation that vas
passed upon the river and harbor C0cgressman.
There is altogether too much similarity be-
tween pension bills and river and harbOr bills.
One is quite as much q job rs the other. There
is probably more fraud connected with the
pension bureau than with any other Depart
ment of the gOvernment-more than was VEN
tured in the star-route business before the dis
covery of the operations Of Brady, Dorsey and
the rest.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04

event OF a war with Great Britain to build navy
strong enough to defeat that power on the high
seas and to conquer and annex her Canadian
provinces The general public seem To have
little conception OF the robbery practiced upon
the taxpayers by the claim agents and reckless
Congressman.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
The Arrears Bill a "Trick. :"
[Etom the Chicnno Tr.hnne I

The 80 millions of dollars already paid out
on the wrongful arrears" " trick fastened on
the Government by wolfsh pension agents and
cowardly, reckless Congressional demagogues
and the 205 millions yet to be paid on claims
proved up" would be sufficient monay in the
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
Union Veterans Pronounced Pension Sharks.
IF,.o,u gb. Cbsco1o Ns.re

The river and harbor improyers" are not
more rapacious than the pension sharks that
are preparing for another raid on the vaults OF
the treasury. They are as clamorous as if not
a dollar had been voted them.
The National tribune., 1883-01-04
Unreasonable and Enormous Pension Bills.
IFroan he .Aballg E1prssg.I

1t Is very evident Congress has acted wildly
and recklessly in the matter Of granting pen
siOns, and that the enormous bills the country
s asked TO pay is utterly unreasonable, and rs.
quires the putting on Of she brakes.
Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-16
SuurnxI xrtN Gollrisr.
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 1888.
Tha RfcveIa.

In the November number of the Wheel man, the monthly magazine devoted to the interests of the bicycle, tricycle. and athletic sports, and which is very handso me maga- zine in appearance, rivaling the best, is fine account, by A. $. Parsons, of ''The League Meet in Chicago" in which some of our prominent New Haven bicycIists took part. The article is finely illustrated by 0. w.. Reed. The principal engraving represents ssCountermarching on Parade" In the fore ground among the principal figures MT. $. A. Marsden appears, the likeness being very recognizable. Of that gentleman the WbeeI- man says s'Commander Marsden was an ideal leader, and with his aids rode gracefully and confidently; and without intending te disparage former parades it is safe to say that none has been so steadily ridden as this one. How much of this should be credited to the commanders good judgment, or to the steadying effects of the band wagon, or to the wide, perfectly level and smooth streets, it is impossible to say. Each management of their wheels, no doubt, but that every rider found it necessary to practice the (almost) standstill feat, and wheels Tapped each other, and nervous riders hastily dismounted, was not experienced here, and
 that other evil succeeding it, when the rear ! struggles bravely to keep in sight of the l flying head, was unknown" Of the New Haven club it was said: ''The New Ravens, resplendent in gold braid, sort of semi military uniform, missed their gallant cap | tain, but felt the honor of having him at the head of the line."
Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-16
State Correspondence.
GuiIEOrd.

The Rev. Dr. Sawyer will deliver the next lecture in the Lyceum course in the Third church, instead of Music Hall, next Wednes- day evening, Jan. IT; subject, 'From the Hudson to the Bay of Naples.n
 ''The Amateur orchestra" of New Haven, will give concert in Music Hall this Clues day) evening for the benefit of the New Eng land band and furnish the music for the ball after the concert.
 Parmalee Post, G. A. R., visited Mason Rogers Post, G. A. R., the other evening, going on the evening train west and return ing on the owl. They report hearty recep- ton and an enjoyable occasion.
 MT. John L. Benton has gone to Florida for health and pleasure.
 The Guilford Enterprise company report a good demand for their buttons, and contem- plate an addition to their machinery to meet the increasing orders.
 Spencer's foundry has new whistle, as some of our sleepily inclined people are aware, and the workmen have something be side their clocks and the prompting of hun ger to mark the hours of labor and refresh ment.
Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-16

run, and had only got short distance when owing to the slippery condition of the walking we both found our selves upon our backs. At last we arrived safely and rushed into his house. not to find burglars but house full of friends The doctor was all out of breath, but quickly came to himself. The only word he uttered was fsWhat ?' and sat down to recover him. self. The guests by that time had quietly made themselves at home, and were having jolly time. About half past ten supper was announced, and what supper it was. The savory odor.of clam chowder had for long time penetrated the house, which gave one and all a glorious appetite. So quietly had the surprise been planned that the doctor h ad not heard one word of 1t, and we are sure he enjoyed it very much. Among the guests we noticed the president of the Social club, and large number of the nenbere of the club with their lady friends and wives. At twelve o'clock the last of the guests had departed, after adding their congratulations, and quiet reigned in the house, but the doc tor was heard to remark: 'tA surprise is g surprise, but no more jokes about burglars for me-"
 One of our young men who owns fast trotter who is quite proud of his horse, had given him by one of his lady friends for Christmas present set of embroidered ini- tials of his name for his horse blanket. One day last week after he had been exercising his horse, he drove up in front of the post office where he tied his horse and covered it with the blanket when the red flaming let ! ters s'G. T. B." were exposed to view. A friend, by way of joke asked him if that was the horses name. s'Yes, good tough beast, B-G." replied the owner of the | horse When the joker replied, 1T did not know but what it stood for big tough goose, | G-e B-h," cigars were furnished to the boys present It's cold day when our joker gets left.
 Monday was pay day for the witnesses on ! the oyster trial cases. From o'clock to 10 l a constant stream poured into the Town | Clerks office to receive their sixty cents. | The boys have named Monday as 'tsixty cent | day"
 | Philadelphia Pa. She also intends to pay | Washington, D. O., visit before she returns 1 home.
 A tank in the tep of the residence of MT. Asa s. Curtis, on Academy Hill, sprang aleaH on Saturday night and the water oyerhowed
 and greatly damaged his sitting rooms before
 the leak could be fixed.
 The time of the departure and arrival o
 the mails in our postoffice is as follows
 Mails close going west at 6:3O and 9:30 a
 m., and 6:3O D. m. Going east, 6:30 ant
 9:3O a. m, 6:3O D. m. Mails arrive iron
 east, 7:3O and 1915 8. m., 2:30 p. m. Fron
 the west, 7:3O and 1915 8. m., 7:10 p. m
 Naugatuck mail closes at 9:30 B. m., 5:15 P. m
 Arrives at 1915 a. m., and 500 p. m.
 The committee of arrangements for Mutua
 Hook and Ladder company's annual ball
 which takes place in Masonic Hall, Wednes
 day evening" will have the Adams Express trai
 due at this station at 4:50 a. m. stop o
 the morning of the 18th, and also the earl
 morning train upon the Naugatuck road du at 5:25 8 m., to stop at this place. January 15.
Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-16
The Court Record.

Superior COurI-CivII side-Judge An
 dreWs.
 This court will come in this morning at 10 o'clock, when the regular business of the term will be resumed.
 Superior COurt-UrIm1nal Side-J udge dOveY:
 This court will resume its session tEis morning at 10 o'clock. The principal case to be tried this week is that against Carroll, of WalIingford, charged with the murder of Early He has once been tried and the jury failed to agree. A special jury has been em pannelled to try the case this time.
Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-16
State News.

The expense to the State for commissions last year was as follows Fish Commission CTS. S4, ,966.45; Shell Fish Commissioners SIG. .s39. 59: State Board of Health, $3 ,00O i; State Board of Education, $8,3ss.Os; Rail road Commissioners, $11, ,s11.97 Bank Com nissioners. $4,87167; Insurance Commis sioners, $13, ,496.67; State Board of Chari ties, $545 84 l.; Commissioners for grading Capitol grounds, $17,274.14; Pharmacy Commission, $637. .58; Temperance Comnis- sion, S1, ,3O2. 20; Naval Station Commission, S7Oi. 50; Commission de Buckingham stat ue, $51 22; total, $83, ,887.19.
Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-16
New York Produce Market.

NEw YoRK, Jan. 15. FLOUR-Firn moderate export and coal trade in demand sales, A. 600 barrels State, 8 35aS7 20 Ohio, $3 80a6 50 western. S3 32a7 co; southern' $4 30a6 65.
 wHEAT-DulI, prices without msrkt change; No. 1 whi @, $1 Il sales, 8,J00 bushels No. red for January, $1 12k 1200 900 bushels do for February. SI 121a1 13; 240,0O0 bushels do for March, $l 15H 152 40000 bushels do for April, $1 175s 9o 0CO bushels do for May, s1 17a4a1 IS; receipts, 745oo bushels.
 CORN shade better mixed western for spot, t3a7Oc. 1; do. for futures 645sa67zSc.
 OATS-Dull State, 47a5lc; western, 4oa5oc sales, 95, 900 bushels including No. for January, 46c; do for February, 46Kc; do for March, 46fsa47c re- ceipts, 62, ,O5O bushels.
 BEEF-Quiet and steady plain mess 3. SIP o9al2 50 ; extra mess SIP 75a13 50 packet, S15 0ca15 60 city extra India mess in tierces, $26 50a28 50.
 PORK-Firm spot new mess, SIS 50. o LARD-4a6 points higher; steam reLdered, Sl1 lU. BUTTER-Dull western, 16a3Sc.; State' 2Oa36c l; creamery, 40a41c.
 IISUGAR-Quiet but steadily held; fair to good re- fning quoted at 61a7c
 RI0E-Very steady in price and demand fair; Car oiina and Louisiana quoted at 7c; Rargooe at 2za 2szc in bond. 5a51Sc duty paid.
 MOLASSES-Q Quiet and unchanged in price Cuba refining quoted at 3Oa33c New orlesns 4Oa61c For to Rico. 37a53c
 COFFEE-Has not varied in price, ruling firm, and demand moderate;
 PETROLEUM-Market dull; United, SIX; crude in bb1s., 6za73Sc.; refined in bbls. here 71Ea75sc do. in Philadelphia and Baltimore, 73sa7Hc. SPIRITS OF TURPENTINE-Dull at 53c.
Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-16
Court Notes.

The Court of Common Pleas will resume to morrow morning at 10 o'clock. The cases set down for trial to morrow are as follows !: New Haven Paper company vs. Hinman, ad- Whittlesey ys Moore & Goodrich, nisi Dali ley, trustee, vs. Collett.
 Judge Sanford, as 8 committee of the Su- perior court, heard arguments in the Supe- rior court room, yesterday afternoon, in the case of c. H. Luddington vs. Henry s. Rowe. The matter in dispute is the boundaries of tracts of oyster ground located north and east of Southwest Ledge light, and granted under the old system of town designations
 A hearing upon the appointment of com missioners on the estate in insolvency of the Wetmore Machine company was had yester day at Judge York's office. Judge Tor rance was agreed upon for one commissioner and it was virtually decided to leave the choice of the other to Judge Luzon B. Nor ris the trustee.