The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1885-12-12
THE PENSION SWINDLE.
Report Of the Commission.

commissioner BLACK, IN conelu-
sion. says: SAT one time the
Pension Bureau was all but avow-
edly a political maehine, filled from
border to border with the uneom
promising adherents of a single
organization. who had for the
claimant other tests than those of
the law, and who required, in ad-
dition TO service in the field, sub
mission to and support of a party
before pensions were granted.
Not, always but often was this
true; not openly, but surely were
the tests applied, and The vast ma
chinery of professed govern
mental office became a party pow
er. The enormous array of the
medical boards established in ev-
cry quarter was also solidly parti-
san-mads so not openly but sure
ly. People of one faith filled ev.
cry one of the great agencies.
Examiners trained In unscrupu-
lous schools traversed the land as
recruiting sergeants for a party.
Chiefs of divisions, assistants.
clerks, messengers, messenger
boys, watchmen aud laborers were
all but entirely from the one
school. Veteran services could
not secare continuance in office,
and at the behest and aemand of
partisans beyond the office old
employees were cut adrift and
Jealous rufflers placed in their
stead. Leaves of absence were
granted that the active men Of the
party might dominate over the
elections. Wholesale discharges
were made for partisan ends, and
o careful study of tables 81 and 81
A of this report will show how q
tide of men and money was poured
by this Office into the sections
where political struggle was rro
crossing. 1t was widely proclaim
ed that the pension system of the
United States, this vast and IN.
mat ched beneicence, depended
for its continuance on partisan
success. The glory Of noble
gratitude was taken from the peo-
pie aud made to masquerade as a
party accomplishment, and men
were taught that immense sums
levied on all our borders, u CRATE
full reward for the veteran soltliery
and their dependents, were party
contributions aud would cease il
a change in governmental admin
istrition occurred.
at has been the aim of the Com
missioner of Pensions, with the
counsel and approval OF the Sec
retary of the Interior, to change
these practices and destroy these
delusions. He has retained spe
cial examiners and medical exam
iners of opposite political beliefs
He has sought to have all parties
represented among the employees
to put the bureau on a business
basis, to let the veteran know tha
the whole people were willin,
contributors to the pension fund
and that there were none who op
posed lIis right therein that th,
cotton. grower aud the corn raise
were alike agreed IN the supper
of the pensioners of the Uniol
armies; and with this end in yiev
he has called into the service o
the bureau men from every State
and that without regard to forme
(politiesD condition. The resul
is gratifying. Accelerated bust
ness, increased results aud dimin
ished expenditures mark the par
tial emancipation so far accom-
plished, and it begius TO appea
that any citizen who pays his shar'
of the pension fund without regre
may be allowed without DANCE
10 aid in it's application and uis
bursement.n-New York World.