Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-16
THE PENSION INTERROGATION
The Cases or Dr.. Spurrier and Repre-
sentative HOuk Considered.

lures this morning resumed the investigation
of Pension Commissioner Blacks charge that
partisan considerations hac Influenced his pre-
decessor In the administration of the Office.
The case of John H. Spurrier, assistant surgeon
10th Indiana regiment, was taken up. The
records showed that Spurrier resigned as
assistant surgeon in October, 1862, having
served since the previous August because OF
chronic diarrhoea and nasal catarrh, which i'm
paired his physical system and untitled him
for the duties Of his posi- that In March. 1863.
ne re-entered the service as surgeon of the 123d
Indiana regiment, and served until the end OF
the war. The feature which brought the case
before the committee was q letter from Hon.
VIII Cumback, OF Indiana, to Commissioners
Dudley, dated October 18th, 1882, in which he
The poor man Is nearly dead and wants to 90
TO another climate, but he can't go until he gets
worker; was chairman Of the republican CEN
trail committee, ana am anxious that his good
lite may be spared. Can you take up his claim
The case was made special BY order of Com.
missioner Dudley and referred to the proper
officials for rigid investigation. After going
through the proper routine Of inquiry q pen
sion was granted.
Gen. Black said he was willing to admit that
the claim was righteous one and should have
been made special upon proper presentation
He regarded the allusion 70 claimants political
services as highly improper. Mr.. Harrison
asked II the presentation of the case exclusive
OF all reference TO politics, was not sufficient to
make it special. Gen Black admitted that II
was Then Mr. Harrison wanted to know If II
would not oe lair 10 assume that Commissioner
Dudley acted upon the merits OF the case Gen.
Black replied that Mr.. Cumback was q man OF
recognized ability and influence; that he under
stood public men and affairs and knew what
would MAKE THE WHEELS GO RoUND.'
There was a good deal Of cross-fring between
MIR. Harrison and Gen. Black as to what the lat
ter meant by making the wheels 20 round
Gen. Black said that Mr.. Cumback, in his de
| sire 70 nave the claimants case put through
was not man to omit anything that would
| facilitate that end.
THE CASE OF LEoNIDAs c. HoUK,
| member of the House from Tennessee. wa,
next taken up. The records showed that Mr.
| Houk applied for q pension In 1880 upon ar
smdayit made by himself In Washington; thai
he was colonel of the third Tennessee regiment
| and In the summer Of 1868 he was compelled
| TO retreat about one hundred miles. His afii
chronic ana LUNGS roa c SSiet
forced him to resign In 1863 that he was not IN
| the hospital, but was treated in camp by tn,
| regimentai surgeon; that he did not in hi
resignation mention his sufieripgs and disease
because, perhaps. he then expected To die.
The afhdayits Of Surgeons Rogers and Boyt
were read. ROgerS sWOre that he was the reRi
mental surgeon, and treated Houk for diarrhoes
and lung trouble. DIR. Boyd's afiidavit was tina
he had been Houks family physician sine.
1870. and had treated him for diarrhea ane
| lung disease, and believed the troubles to hav,
resulted ,s,aan rom ON army army service: e: p
| sion office, dated a few days after the receipt
| his affidavit, asking permission to withdraw i
Tor modincatiOn. de was satisfied he had pre-
| sented the physical troubles OF claimant In tot
| strong light, though believing that Houk wa,
entitled to a pension.
In the papers fied by himself Mr.. Houk se
forth his need OF q pension to save his property
| which was then advertised tor sale, from sacri
nee, saying he was unable to do manual labor
| etc. He also fled request that his case b.
made special, as be was In urgent need Of tn,
pension, and II was made special.
q ts1 a..
| adjourned. Gen. Black said he would rathe
pnt IN the few more remaining papers OF tn
| the case without comment as the paper
! would speak louder than he possibly could
| The committee adjourned with the case pend