The National tribune., 1885-12-03
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY

by cowardly fight, and then make flight and
desertion keep open the avenues to reward.
The War Department has in cases referred
to it under this ruling already exhibited a
spirit of justice to those whose records were Of
only technical wrong that should satisfy the
most exacting. 1t follows that the honorable
soldier, who, by malice or misfortune, is un-
justly charged with desertion on the public and
enduring records of the country, has the blot
removed from his soldierly record and has per-
fected his title to pension. The Government
is protected by the Department which Congress
has chosen to clothe with power over this sub
Ject from the cunning and perjury OF those who
finched in battle and lie in peace
But as before stated, these added labors cause
added delays, and call for increased force in
that part of the War Department charged with
searching the records, and clearing or confirm
ing these charges.
| cannot ask for an addition to the War De-
partment force; but that Department and this
Office are so interlocked in duty ON this point
that l must present the facts as they appear to
me to the end that delay may be obviated and
long, and often sorrowful, disappointments be
prevented.
OBSTACLES AND INCUMBRANCEs.
Still further; human ingenuity has been ex-
hausted in the attempts at furnishing tests and
barriers against claims.
The e1-paTte system of examination is in part
responsible for this; but beyond all reason
proofs have been required to be piled one on
top of another in the vain attempt to prevent
occasional plumber. Those who prosecuted
these extended inquiries proceeded upon the
vain hypothesis that perjury could be deferred
in its march on the Treasury by the same ex-
pedients that would retard an honest but mis-
taken man. And so vast number of honest
claims have been delayed while ingenious
rOgues have bad their way.
With the sanction of the Seprptarv of the In
terror, the Commissioner has sought to remedy
the evils OF these accumulated delayings has
sought to apply to pension claims and claim
ants the usual rules of search and proof. and has
tried to so instruct Examiners aud officers as
that wise discretion would replace an arbi-
trary proceeding; that due notice should be
taken of all incidents and facts that go to show
the good faith and probability of claim as well
as the strictly legal points so easily manufac-
tured; to dc away with veXatious require
ments often beyond the limited means of the
claimant to furnish, and to give due attention
to those embarrassments springing from the
lapse of time, the separation or death of wit
nesses, and the long-hidden consequences of
injury or disease, which, received and suffered
in the vigor of youth, develop in power with
advancing years
1t is believed that with honest purposes on
the part of Examiners, but few, comparatively,
fraudulent claims will be allowed or will re-
main undetected. The remedy for wrong is in
the faithful use of good and informed judgment
exercised in each case, or, in other words, in the
faithfulness of the official to his duties.
But all expedients and safeguards are of in
utility if the public sentiment be not alive to
the requirements of this service. If it is be-
ieved that it is fair to get pensions anyway, by
"hook or crook" then they will be obtained.
If public sentiment condemn, the evils will, in
large measure, be prevented or punished.
EVILS OF PARTIsANsHIP.
At one time the Pension Rureau was all but