Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-10-22
COMMISSIONERS DUDLEY,
The Charges OF the Democratic News
papers Denied by the Pension once.
W4ssISeroS. Oct 81,

WASHINGTON, Oct 81.
Under date of New York, DC; IL. 1854,
Everett p. Wheeler seut the following com
munication to President Arthur, which was
referred TO the secretary of the interior ior
investigation and report:
Sir-rhe business at the pension bureau
is very much in arrears. Col. w. W. Dud-
ley, commissioner of pensions, is now absent
from his post, engaged in conducting the
canvass of the republican party in Ohio, TO
the entire neglect of his official duties. We
see it publicly stated that he has given orders
that applications for pensions filed by veter-
ans residing in Ohio and Indiana shall be
taken up out of the order of filing, and have
preference in examination over those flied by
persons residing in many of the other States
As council for the civil service reform asso-
citation, l respectfully ask that immediate
examination OF the charges be made The
theory of the laws granting pensions is that
these gifts from the treasury of the whole
country are made to veterans who need them.
To use the fears and hopes of the faithful
soldier of the Union for the purpose of oh
tanning votes to discriminate in favor of those
residing in States where the presidential cleo
tion is doubtful and against those residing
elsewhere, would be the worst form of brib-
cry | respectfully ask YOU to direct that if
any such orders have been given thev be
revoked. and applications for pensions be
considered in their order without psrtiality
OF discrimination.
Your obedient servant,
EVERETT p. WHEELER.
The communication was referred by Acting
Secretary Joslin TO o. z. G, Clarke, acting
commissioner of pensions, who today made
report in which. after recapitulating the
sttht Of tb.a OH
missioner Dudley left this city on or about
Sept. Sd last, when the duties of the office
devolved on me. On or about Sept. 30th
Col Dudley returned to the city, and while
here handed you his resignation as commits.
sioner of pensions, the same to take effect
Nov 10th next. He again left the city on
Sept. Both and returned on the 10th of Oct.
During the absence of the commissioner no
precedence of action has been given in pen
sion cases to those residing either in Ohio or
Indiana, or in fact for any purpose, within
the scope of Wheeler's statement, nor have
received from Col. Dudley, either before his
departure from the city or during his absence,
any orders ar instructions relating to this
subject. | am not aware, nor have | any
reason to believe, that any specific instrue-
tions of any of the subordpates of the Office
had been given by the commissioner Of pen
sions with a view to secure such partial action
or discrimination in the settlement of the
pension claims for the purpose referred to by
Wheeler TO the detriment of others, equally
deserving, would be so criminally unjust.
may be pardoned in emphasizing my denial
SO far my action or knowledge can go,
that any such favoritism has been shown,
even may add by indirection. The statis-
tical tables. compiled from the books of the
pension Office. are presented by Clark to
disprove the charges of undue precedence.