New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-03-26
Exposing MR.. BLACK'S METHODS.
FORCED TO FACE PERTINENT QUESTIONS.
MS ANXIETY TO GET RID OF REPUBLICAN en-
ILoYEs-rHE PENSION OFFICE CASE.

MS ANXIETY TO GET RID OF REPUBLICAN EN-
ILoYEs-rHE PENSION OFFICE CASE.
WAsHiNGToN, March 25.-The Senate Committee
investigating the statements made by Commissioner
Black concerning the pension Office continued to-day
his examination. Mr.. Plumb asked him TO explain
what be meant yesterday by saying that papers had
been jockeyed in his Office.
Mr.. Black mcsn that nearly every man connected
with the al position of claims III the Ad1udeatlnR
Division HAD been there long time, aud were nearly
oil Republicans. could not rely on dlspassioDale
consideration Of matters before the committee Oy nap
hazard assignment. have removed as many as
could with due regard 10 the expedition OF pubic ou
ness. 49,.
Mr. plumb-Have you had good snccess in getting
Democrats in through the Civil Service Commission
Mr. Black have hac good success. ~
Mr. Plumb-Out of the II appointed under Civil Ser
wee rules you got ~ Democrats and whose politics
MI BlaCk-I hat is true and those appointed on5-
size of the rules all Democrats except one woman
Mr.. Beck-Whether you will lave more success ia
getting Democrats in hereafter will depend on the ClV
! Service Commission
Mr.. Black presume so.
Mr. Plumb-ls true that your present force IL not
reliable t. their inte gritty
Mr.. Back-Ihere are many good men among them
and many whom could not trust where political con-
sdsratons are concerned. lheTe are men theie WHO
ought not to be continued. -
Mr. Plumb-WOud your force be any less human II
comDOsed of Democrats
Mr.. Black-No. but one party would Offset the other
The fact was brought out that there was nothing in
the papers in the Neal TO indicate that Congress
man Pettibone knew the politics of Neal.
The committee took W the case of ex-State Senator
Joseph w. Fiier. of Bloomington, ILL., Mr.. Black and
clerk since they delivered the papers i'll the twenty
cases to the committee had spent several hours in the
cOmmitee-rc0m looking them over searching for
some paper they could not find. Afterward the COM
mttee dscoye red inside of another paper letter from
Senator Cullom TO Commissioner Dudley. stating that
lie was anxious that Tifer's pension should he in
creased if possible his wound bad ball
having passed through the right lung and portion of
the liver making wound somewhat similar to that of
which Mr. Garfield died. Mr. Black indicated that he
was not ready to 20 on with the bIt when Mr..
Culom produced his letter Mr.. Black said that that
was what he had been looking for aud with that he
was ready TO 60 on lie admitted that he had not
heard of the when he made his report containing
the charges about partisan tests and tbat'he would
not have brought it befoe the committee if he had not
discovered this letter. lie said that the examining
surgeons before whom the case sent to report on
the question of rerating did report in favor of
it but the increase was granted.
In answer to question Commissioner Black said
that the physicians composing that examining board
were all good men and among the best in the profess
son When ASKED how it about that he bad
removed every of them he replied hat be thought
perhaps some OF them might still be employed. But
Mr. Cullom said that all OF them had been removed :
Mr.. Cullom called attention to the aiGdavs in the
in favor OF the right TO the increase made by the
surgeon and officers of the claimants regiment and by
several judges ana other leading citizens OF Bloom
ingtOn H.. ana to the following Endorsement by the
medical referee u How il has been that grave
wound has been so moderated cannot ssy. The
recovery was remarkable. . . he right is be-
yOnd question the proof now submitted
Mr. Cullom- You have already testified tLat you
sometimes decide cases on outside evidence You
know personally the men who made these atfdavits.
Are they all good men, and reputable citizens
Mr.. Black-Yes. sir.
Mr.. Cunom Have you taken any steps to override
your predecessors action in this case
Mr.. Black-NO sir.
The committee then adjourned.