The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-07-05
Post this Fraud.

If Senator Beck, of Kentucky, is really
sincere in his demand for the suppression
OF pension frauds an excellent opportunity
is now presented for the accomplishment of
his purpose. In another column of THE
TRIBUNE this week, viii be found letter
describing pension fraud of the most
atrocious character, and we are satisfied that
the facts are as represented. The name of
the perpetrator of the fraud, together with
the locality and time of its preparation and
the amount of money realized thereby, is
given, and the author of the charge does not
hesitate to make it over his personal sig
nature. He does not indulge in generalities,
but comes cut squarely with the name and
date and place. Unlike the Senator from
Kentucky, he does not assert that the whole
pension system is honeycombed with fraud,
but contents himself with stating what,
from personal observation, he knows TO be
the case. This is not in accordance with
q.
then it IS not every one who possesses the
audacity to predicate the existence of mon
strous and wide-reaching frauds upon the
detection and exposure of single isolated
case, and, indeed, if ordinary mortals were
to take such liberties with the truth as
Senator Beck and Editor Mcclure they
would run the risk of losing their reputa-
ton for yeracity. 1t is true that the case to
which our correspondent calls attention is
not one Of attempted fraud upon the Gov
eminent, but of actual fraud upon the Gov
ernmen's pensioners or pension claimants
but there is just as much reason for suspect
ing that all pension agents are imposters as
that all pensioners are, and if our CORE
spondent refrains from drawing that infer
ence it must be ascribed, as we have init
mated, to the fact that persons in humble
station of life cannot afford to trife with
the truth.
But the pith of the matter lies right here.
While Senator Beck and his ilk are clamor-
ing for the posting of the whole pension list,
without being able to produce any evidence
of fraud in that list, it transpires that afro
cious impositions are being practieed upon
our pensioners, the proofs of which are con-
vincing and readily accessible. Indeed there
is evidence at hand sufficient to enable
description ofthe rogue's personal appearance
to be prepared, and with such accuracy as to
make it impossible for him to elude detec-
ton. Ii, then, Mr.. Beck is anxious to have
pension frauds posted here is first rate
opportunity to make a beginning. Post
this fellow! Let the poster state the color of
his eyes and hair, the cut of his whiskers
his weight and height, the character of his
dress, bis apparent age, his mode of opera
and the name under which he was then
travelling, and in fact everything which will
help to establish his identity and put an
unsuspecting public On its guard. Even
Mr. Beck does not pretend to know which
of our pensioners are frauds but as to this
| fellows character there can be no doubt
He is evidently fraud of the most con
temptible and meanest sort. 1t is not a
rich and powerful Government that he is
engaged in swindling, but the needy widow
and orphans of the soldier and the poor and
disabled veteran. Even though there should
really be q few imposters on the pension
rolls, the financial stability Of the Govern
mentwould not be jeopardized, but who shall
saywhat misery may result from this scheme