The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-01
The Warner Bin a Sham.


The Warner Bin Sham.
In our last issue we took occasion to point
out the fudlity of the Warner pension bill,
which passed the House on the Dist nit,
and the Importance of preventing it from
becoming law in its present shape. We
are now in receipt of numerous letters and
kilograms heartily indorsing the position
taken by THE TRIBUNE in regard to this
bin, and demanding its modification. Chair
man Merrill, of the pension committee of
the Grand Army, telegraphs that the bill is
an apple Of ashes" and ought to be buried
thousand feet deep" General Charles II.
Grosyenor, another member of the commit
tee, telegraphs: 1.-The Warner bill is not
satisfactory, and ought to be amended. The
demand that the applicant shall relinquish
his claim to arrears has no support in JUS
tioe." Comrade Tanner, of the pension COM
mittee, telegraphs US that he agrees with
General Merrill as to the futility of the bill.
We infer, therefore, that prompt and Wig
orous action viii be taken to compel Con-
gress to rescind its hasty action, and do
full justice to deserving claimants.
The truth is that this measure not only
affords no remedy for the delay in the adj
1 judication of pension claims, which it pro-
fesses to provide for, but appears to be
founded on gross misconception of the
cause of that delay. 1t assumes that the
/ inability OF meritorious claimants to secure
the allowance of their claims is the result of
/ the rigid requirements of existing law,
when, as matter of fact it is chiefly due
to the narrow and illiberal manner in which
the Pension Office CONSTITUTES the law. If
proof were needed to sustain this assertion,
/ it could be found in the records of Congress,
which show that it is constantly allowing
claims upon precisely the same evidence
which the Pension Office holds is not sufi-
Gent to Justify it in acting favorably upon
them. 1t Is evident, therefore, that what is
needed is not change in the law itself, but
4 change in the spirit in which it is admin
istened. II, as appears from the congress
sional reports on claims which have been
rejected by the Pension Office the effect of
the technical rules arbitrarily enforced by
the latter is to deprive meritorious claimants
of the pensions to which they are entitled,
al that it is necessary for Congress to do, it
seems to u.s. is by legislative enactment to
provide for the abrogation of these rules
and their replacement by others more closely
In accord with its own Interpretation of the
law. Even this ought not to be necessary,
since il is within the power of the Commits
siOner TO voluntarily modify the rigid rules
which he applies to the adjudication of
claims; but in view of his indisposition to
exercise that authority there would seem to
be no other resource. And we are not alone
in this belief. Here is bill-introduced in
the House on the 14th ult. by Representa-
tive Laird, of Nebraska-to regulate the
proof required in certain pension cases, which
goes right to the point:
Bet eraced 6y ne Senate and House Of Representa-
tires If the United Sofcs Of Anlcica m Congress as
selnbisd, That In all applications for pension now
pending in the Interior Department. or that may
hereafter arise, where it is shown that the appli-
cant regularly mustered into the service Of the
United States, he shall be presumed TO have been
physically sound at tie date Of his Inuster-in
SIC ?. That in al cases where the applicant for
pension is shown 20 havsSrendered three months
service more in the field, ali injuries sustained
by him while IN the service shall be presumed &c
have been received in the line of duty, unless the
contrary be shown by proof, the burden of which
shall he upon the Government; !. and where such
claimant shall have established by two or more
credible witnesses, that he has suffered from sncf
disability since his discharge il shall be the duty
OF the Commissioner Of Pensions to grant sucl
pension the proof shows the applicant Is entitled
to.
SEC. g. That the benefit of all doubts shall b.
given TO The applicant for pension, and the Com
missioner Of Pensions shall receive and corlside
the testimony Of the applicant, and may grant :
pension ON such testimony alone when supported
by established circumstances: Prortded, That thi
act shall apply to al cases in the Pension Office
7, whether rejected or not.
{ SEC. T. That on and after the passage of this ac
& il shall be unlawful for the Secretary Of the in
terror Commissioner Of Pensions or any other Off
i Ger agent Of the Pension Office to receive an,
information concerning an application for pension
pending before such officer or Department or th.,
may hereafter arise, OF touching pension nov
G granted, from any person. under an agreement
i promise, understanding to conceal tho nam
Of such informant the subject-Inaaer of sucl
u information from the applicant pensioDe
h afIected thereby hs agent attorney.
IS If Congress is really DESTROYS of facilitat
! ing The adjudication of pensions, this is tn
+ sort Of bill ii should pass.