Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-12
PENSIONS AND POLITICS.
The Case OF Corporal Francisco Before
the Senate Committee.
COMMISSIONER BLACK THINKS THE CORPo
RAILS PENSION WAS GRANTED ILLEGALLY
ON ACCOUNT OF POLITICAL INFLUENCE.

OSS AVVOSNT VI lNfLUKNCE
The examination Of Pension Commissioner
Black by the Senate committee on public ex
pend1tures was resumed this morning. Senator
Cullom submitted papers in the case of Alonze
francisco, corporal company 81, seth Indiana
regiment, who enlisted in August 1851, and
was discharged in August, 1852, having served
ABOUT year. On June Oath, 1850, six days
prior to the expiration of the period for arrear
ages allowances, Francisco applied for . pension
ON the ground that he suffered with nstula in
ammo, produced by heavy lifting in removing
stores at Pittsburg Landing early in 1852; that
SUBSEQUENT exposure aggravated the disease
that Francisco was discharged for disability;
that he had been in the hospital for some time,
ana upon returning to his regiment he was dis:
Vnargeu. The surgeon generals record reported
that there was no record of Francisco's presence
with his regiment at the time of incurring the
was 10 of
when discharged, suffering with piles, and that
ne had the disease when he enlisted.
A letter was read dated September 18th
1857, from Thomas Graham, auditor Of Madi-
son county, Indiana, to Commissioner Dudley,
requesting him to look after the case of his old
friend, Francisco, and Ii they were all right to
hurry the matter along, as to hurry it would be
81 advantage In politics: Graham wrote that
we had a big fight on hand in that district
against Holman; that Francisco was a soldier
IN his liraham'sl regiment, and good one.
Inc letter went on to say that a red-hot cam
ing Comlnfs sloner Dudley not to fail in doing
anything he could to help them against HoE
man; that they had man against Holman
VINO would do all he could 10 beat him.
inns was Endorsed, said Gen. Black, in Col.
Dudiey's handwri ting to tell Coinstock TO bring
the case t. his desk with the Graham letter.
O.her othce Endorsements were shown; also
that the case was referred to II reviewer, and
after going through the ordinary course, was
based upon the opinion that the claimant had
piles before enlistment.
Another letter from Auditor Graham, dated
July 11th, 1854 to Col. Dudley was read, in
which lie said that his old friend and comr;,de,
Francisco, had just called to request him 10 iu-
quirc about MS claim. He urged the com mis-
sioner 10 help the Case along, saying the claim
AMI was an old and staunch friend OF the COM
missioner. The letter concluded with "Please
do something, and obliSe.' After references,
examinations, etc., the case was finally made
special and pension of "a month allowed
from 1852 to 1882 and OF 81 month from
1882 on.
Gen. Black, In response to questions, declared
that the pension was unlawfully granted, that
the testimony showed as positively AS testi-
mony could, that the claimant was disabled
before enlisting; that he served but IL short time
aud was on the sick list Il great portion of that
time; that the regular officers OF the bureau
Jected the case, yet il was MADE special, and Il
pension allowed. Gen. Black thought the
letters OF Gri,ham showed the political infiu-
ence which prevailed in the case.
Tie amount OF arrears allowed in the case
was S1,lO4.Ol. In reply to a question by Mi.
CuilonI, Gen. Black said he was quite sure this
Case Was mol called To his attentsOn before he
made his report containing the charge that
political influence had prevailed in the pension
bureau under his predecessor in acting upon
Cases. The two letters from Graham were all
the documents in the case containing any refer
0lce TO politics.
THE CASE OF CAPT. sCHoRECK.
Senator Plat called up the case of Capt Chas
SchOreck, 18th New York volunteers Among
the papers was found a letter written by ]. A.
Fife to Senator Logan. in which he calls atten-
pt.ayl IN naffS MANA rp
had been In the pension office Enacted upon.
he says claimant was member OF 1.-The IA
nous Springfield convention Claimant was
Feeling ugly" because of the delay, and the
writer thought it "A good scheme to have the
matter settled as soon AS possible 10 make him
feel better. The writer asks Gen. Logan's aid
To this end. Gen. Logan sent the letter 10 Com
missioner Dudley, with II request that the case
be made special, which was granted and the
pension was allowed.
Pending further examination of the papers,
the committee adjourned.