Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-22
DUDLEY'S ALLEGED SINS.
Acting Commissioner Clark Denie
Making Determinations In Pensio
Cases.

Acting Commissioner Clark Denies
Making Determinations In Pension
Cases.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21.-Under date of
New York, Oct. IL, 1884, Mr.. Everett P.
Wheeler sent the following communica-
tion to President Arthur. which was re-
ferred to the Secretary of the Interior for
investigation and report:
SIR-Ihe business of the Pension Bureau is
very much IN arrears. Col. w. w. Dudley
Commissioner OF Pensions. is now absent from
MS post engaged IN conducting the canvass of
the Republican party in Ohio. to the entire
neglect OF his official duties. We see it pub-
hcly stated, and not denied, that he has given
oraeTs that applications for pensions filed by
voters residing in Ohio and Indiana shall be
taken up out of order of filing and have pref
erence on their examination over those fled
by persons residing in many other States. As
counsel for the Civil Service Reform Associa-
ton. respectfully ask that an immediate ex-
animation Of these charges be made. The the
ory OF the law granting pensions is that these
gifts from the Treasury Of the whole country
are MADE TO those veterans who need them.
To use the fears or hopes of faithful soldier
Of the Union for the purpose of obtaining
votes to discriminate in favor of those residing
in States where a Presidential election is
doubtful and against those residing elsewhere
would be the worst form of bribery. | re-
spectfully ask you to direct that il any such
orders have been given they be revoked, and
that applications for pensions be considered
in their order without partiality or discrimi-
nation. Your obedient servant,
EVERETT P. WHEELER.
The communication was referred by
Acting Secretary Joslyn to o. h. G.
Clark, Acting Commissioner of Pensions.
who to-day made report in which. after
recapitulating the subject matter of the
charge, he says
Upon these points / will state briefly that
Commissioner Dudley left this CITY on or
about Sept. last, when the duties of the
Office devolved upon me. On or about Sent
here handed you his resignation as Com
missioner Of Pensions, to take effect Nov, 10
next. He again left the city on Oct. l, and
returned on Oct. is. During the absence Of
the Commissioner of Pensions no precedence
OF action has been given in pension cases
to those residing either in Ohio or
Indiana, or, IN fact, for any purpose
within tle scope of Mr.. Wheelers statement.
nor have received from .Col Dudley, either
before his departure from this city or during
his absence, any orders or instructions re-
lating to this subject. 1 am not aware nor
have any reason to believe that any specific
instructions to any subOrdnates of this Office
had been given by Col. Dudley with a view to
securing such partial action. A discrimina-
tiOn in the settlement of pension claims for
the purposes referred to by Mr.. Wheeler to
the detriment OF Others equally deserving,
WOult be so crlminally unjust that / may be
pardoned in impartlng my denial so far as my
action or knowledge ever can go that any such
by lndirectiOn. / am, sir. respect-
fully, o. P. 6. CLARK,
Acting Commissioner.
MIR. Clark's letter is accompanied by a
number of tabulated exhibits showing the
work of the Pension office in detail,