Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-03-19
THE PENSION BUREAU.
AN EXPOSITION OF REPUBLICAN
RASCALITY.
Secretary Lincoln's Fight Against Gen.
Swain NOT In the Interest Of Justice
but to Satisfy the Formers Spleen.

Secretary LincOln's Fight hSainsI ooA'
Swain not In the Interest or justice
but to Satisfy the Formers Spleen.
spsca, Correspondence of the Sentinel.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 10
The United States Pension Office has
frequently been the subject OF susPi-
cion which has oftener proved justiti-
able than unjustifiable. The blot on
its reputation is due to the party that
furnished the material controlling and
shaping the policy of the office. The
entire business of the Pension Office
has been done
IN THE INTEREST OF REPUBLICANS,
so far US has been practical. lnvestl-
cation under the auspices OF the COM
mittee on payment of pensions, bounty
and back pay, proves the statement.
II has been shown that a number OF
EMPLOYEES were induced to pervert
their positions to political, partisan
ends. The rumors, which were heard
during the campaign, that special ex-
aminers were stationed every where
for political purposes, are being fully
verified. There is no doubt that the
influence and power of the office was
used, by divers devices, to promote the
campaign of ex-senator Blaine. Every
opportunity was given to expedite cas-
es indorsed by Republican Congress
men. Indeed, the privilege of what
is known as Immediate cases was
given to Republicans, indiscriminate-
". This combination of corruption
and rascality was authorized, and per-
haps planned, by Mr.. Dudley man
who once raised his hands with "holy
horror" and swore that any clerk
found frequenting bar-rooms, or other
immoral resorts, would be discharged
without ceremony. Mr.. Dudley en-
deayored, by various tyrannlcal Or
ders, to pose as the great official re-
former. His reform is evident. lie
proved no better than the Commls-
sioners who preceded him. There
have been few efficient, conscientious
men holding the responsible position.
Perhaps the most conscientious and
efficient gentleman was MIR. j. w.
Babson, who was once acting Commls-
sioner, and who was q candidate for
the Commissionership But that man
was too honest and efficient. The ras-
Gals of the Pension Office hunted him
down until he was forced to be con-
tent with an ordinary clerkship where
his honesty would do no harm. The
honorable committee investigating the
Pension Office should go farther. 'Ev-
idence depends on the hospital records
in the custody of the
SURGEON GENERALS OFFICE.
The hospital records are in charge OF
a clerk known as the Chief Clerk of
the Record and Pension Division.
That gentleman is undoubtedly hon
est, but he, like many comrades. Is a
foreigner, and has put all of his petty,
tyrannical foreign notions into an
American bureau. The chief work of
this Division is searching hospital
records work that Is more exhaust
ing than the work of any government
tsI department. Proficiency can be
acquired only by experience. No civil
service examination will ever test a
mans ability to perform this difficult
work. 1t is sheer nonsense to test an
applicants general knowledge for
work of this peculiar character. Col
Hege graduates, exjudges, and men OF
recognized ability have resigned posi-
tions in this Division because they
could not perform the work. Yet 9th
ers have been retained in spite of their
inability to perform either physical or
mental labor. It is here that the "im-
mediate" cases are searched. A clerk
may be engaged on case of some
poor. friendless man when an lmme-
date case is given him. He must
stop all other work, throw the poor
mans case down, and give his whole
time and attention to the Immediate,
no matter how long he will be occu-
pied. This is unfair From the stand.
point of humanity, it is outrageous
But many aules of the Division work
injustice. Two clerks have been de.
tailed to perform similar duties, yet
one has received 81, 200, and the 9th
er $3.50. The latter was reduced, ow'
ing, it is said, to deficiency In the ap
preparations, but as rumored, to de
sire to transfer the amount of reduc
ton to the Republican campaign fund
A relative of the chief clerk of the of
fce-not the division-was appointed
at salaey of 81 900, but was promot
ed, with unprecedented rapidity, to 6
$1,000 position. Such promotion, IN
der the most favorable circumstances
could be honorably acquired only
through long experience. Another
man was appointed, but came to work
and left whenever he pleased, and con
tinued to draw his salary severa
months. He was the brother OF
Republican Congressman. lt Is saie
that another man never came to WORK
during the whole time of his appoint
ment-six months. Another man wa
dischaIged for his first case of drunk
enness, and a dozen habituai drunk
ards retained. Indeed, The SENTIN FL
representative has seen the chief CLERK
of the Office 80 drunk that he required
assistance to reach his home. Another
man, professional gambler, was dis
charged after long, repeated absence
super-induced by nightly attendance
at faro banks. But he was the son o
Republican politician, and was soor
s re-instated. Another man, who had
the conscience, if NOT patriotism, TO ne
sign when temporary iH-health vonif
no Io,r.., ,.a.,x,.t bsvr, fa work was re