Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-22
AFTER DUDLEY.
a IE1Txs IRON MR. WHEELER
We Calls the Auensien sr the President
to the coaducs or the Coamissioner Of

He Calls the Atseption sr the President
to the Ccsducs or the Commit ssioner OF
Pensieus.
ii,y telegraph to She Dispstch'I
WASHINGTON, ID. c., October 2l.-Under
date New York, October IL, 1885, mr.
Evereur. Wheeler sent the following COM
munication 10 President Arthur, when
was referred 10 the Secretary OF the in'e-
rior Tor Investigation and report:
Slr,-Busincss OF the Pension Burcat
Is very much In arrears. Colonel w. W.
Dudley. the Commissioner OF fcnsons' "
now absent from his post. engaged IN con-
ducling the canvass OF the hepuoi'can
party In Ohio. to the entire neglect OF nis
official duties. We see II publicly stated. and
not denied, that he has given orders inat
applications for pensions uied by voters re-
siding In Ohio and Indiana shall be taken up
out OF order of fling and have preference
IN their examination over those MED ~
persons residing in other states. As
counsel Of tine Ciyil-service Reform Asso.
citation, | respectfully ask that IN immediate
examination OF these charges be made.
The theory OF the laws granting pensions
Is that these gifts from the Treasury OF the
whole country are made 10 those veterans
who need them. 70 use the fears or hopes
Of the faithful soldier OF the Union for the
purpose OF obtaining votes; 10 discrimi-
nate IN favor 81 those residing in states
where the presidential election Is doubt
full, srd sgainst those residing elsewhere,
would be the worst form Of bribery. |
respectfully ask you TO direct that II any
such orders have been given they he re-
voked. and that applications for pensions
he considered In their order without par
TALLY or discrimination.
Your ebcdient servant,
"EvERETT L. WHEELER"
The communication was referred by Act
ing-Sccretary JOslyn 20 y. y. q. Clark, the
Acting Commissioner Of Pensions. who TO-
day made report. in which. after recapit-
ulatiug the subject-ina,ter Of the charges.
he says: Upon these points | will state
briefly that Commissioner Dudley left
this city on about September Sd last.
when the duties Of the Office de-
yOlved upon ne. On or about Sep
TENDER 20.h ultilno Colonel Dudley
returned TO the city. and while here handed
you his resignation rs Commissioner OF Pen
sions. to take effect November 10th next.
lie again left the city on October 1st, and
returned on the 10th OF October. During
the absence OF The Commissioner o! PEN
sions no precedence OF action has been
given in pension csses to those residing
either IN Ohio or Indiana, or. in fact, for any
purpose within the scope OF slr.
Wheeler's statement. Nor have
received from Colonel Dudley, either
before his departure from the city or
during his absence, any orders or ins;ruc.
tons relstipg to this subject. / am moi
aware, nor have / any reason TO believe,
that shy specific instructions TO any 0! the
subordinates OF the Office had been given by
the Commissioner OF Pensions with view
10 secure such partial action.
a discrimination in the settlement Of the
pension claims for purposes referred to by
Mr.. Wheeler, to the detrment Of others
equally deserving. would be so crimlnaily
unjust that may be plrdOned in en-
phssiziDg my denial, sol far rs my action
or knowledge even can 20. that any such
favortism has been shown even. | may
add, by indirection.
am, sir, very respectfully,
o. L. G.. Clarke.
Acting Commissioner.
Mr.. CIark's letter Is accompanied BY q
number OF tabulatcd exhibits showing the
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