The National tribune., 1886-06-03
NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY JUNE 1885,

tnat lie disseminated unJustly ana severely
against many worthy disabled soldiers, reject
ing their claims or rating them at ridiculously
low figures
Mr. Cockrell Mo- defended Gen. Blacks
record as Commissioner, by citing figures which
showed that he had granted more pensions
during the first year of his administration than
had ever before been adjudicated and issued in
a year
Replying to some points in Mr.. Cockrell's
speech, without joining in the attack on the
Commissioner, Gen. Logan said:
desire to call the attention OF the Senator from
Missouri 10 one fact am not doing that for the
purpose Of cTiticsing the Commissioner OF PEN
sions. but for the purpose Of showing how unjust
havo been the criticisms which have been hereto
fore made. Speaking in political sense, Commits
sioner Black charged his predecessor with favorit
ism because he had allowed a great many pensions
/ IN 1880, and yet find from the statement Of the
Senator that Commissioner Black in one year
allowed nearly three times as many as his prede-
cessor, Commissioners Dudley, did, although he was
charged with favoritism on account Of the great
number OF pensions that were allowed only call
the attention Of the Senate TO that fact 10 show how
unfair these things that sent broadcast be-
fore the world 10 improperly influence the minds Of
people in regard 10 the action OF officials.
30 far as Gen. Blacks pension Is concerned,
have nothing 90 say about It. whether he il entitled
TO II or not IL he IL entitled TO il hope he will re-
/ tain IT, think he Is a badly wounded man, and
II he is entitled 90 a pension matter how large,
certainly would not reduce IL one cent, so far as
| am concerned; would act In reference to
the pension Of any man who had performed his
duty honorably and well. As to how he obtained
that pension have naught TO say; but do think
where pensions are Obtained through Congress
and persons think they obtained some im-
proper evidence, about which have nothing 70
say, IL does moi always come with the best grace to
attack others who obtain pensions in the same
way.
Gen. Black was ably defended by Mr.. Voor-
hees lInd.) BE said;
have known Gen. Black since boy. at per-
haps l9 years OF age he broke away from college
1
| were especially brilliant.
His wounds were repeated and Of the severest
character saw Gen. Black frequently during his
most dreadful sufferings before this pension
granted, and say TO the Senate and in the hearing
of the country that did not conceive il possible
for a human being 20 suffer as he did and live He
was wasted 10 n skeleton, blood poison ravaged his
entire system, and the bones OF his
sawed out by the Surgeon. often left him never
expecting again TO see him alive; and when his
pension bill came up here had all the feeling that
il was possible for me 10 have in behalf of gall
liant, brilliant, promising. brave, suffering man,
stricken down in defense of his country.
hold myself responsible and am ready 10 answer
FOR the justice and propr9ety Of that pension any,
where and everywhere IL was not obtained under
false pretenses So far from IT, no pretense made
here could have equaled the dreadful reality Of his
suheTings; and although he has survived as did
not expect him TO do, nor did his most intimate
friends yet to-day he discharges his duties with
open. running wounds. His shattered and splint-
cred bones leave him not one moments freedom
from pain; he can sleep but in one position in his
bed al night; and had he not been upheld by
have sunk and died long ago from excessive and
constant suffering. He - made OF the material
that constitutes heroes. II any gentleman here
thinks 500 month viii pay for his present condi
ton and what he has undergone, lei him say so.
differ from him.
Gen. Black at the time this pension was granted
and in fact for years aerward had no more ability
10 earn livelihood by his own exertions than a
child. And even though his constitution has
viyed the terrible shock yet his hair has whitened
and for young man OF As he is prematurely aged
lie has never since the reopening Of his wounds
oeen able 70 pursae ms profession with that indus
try and endurance so absolutely necessary in that
most laborious profession known among men, the
practice OF the law.
Mr.. ingalls,:
MIR. President the present Commissioner Of PEN
SONS. Mr.. John Charles Black was placed upon
the pension-ro by special act TINT was reported
during my chairmRnship Of the Committee ON
Pensions upon the direct and positive allegation
his part and in his behalf by those who supported
and promoted the bill that he totally disabled
and that he was an absolute physical wreck.
at ta, time think in Ia fnr to"i dssl,s ,es
$50 a month. and Mr.. Black was placed upon the
roll at 500 month because 1t was affirmed that
he 20 totally disabled by disease, and by gun
shot wounds. and by other disabilities received in
the service, that his capacity, intellectually and
physically, was absolutely snnihilaied
/ remember the circumstances 10 which the
Senator from Indiana has called attention. ] do
not stand here 20 disparage In any manner what
ever The valor or the courage Of Mr.. John Charles
Black, but say that be received that pension and
he enjoys that pension to-day because allegations
were made which did not exist and which do not
exist.
Long before Mr. John Charles Black was PEN
sioDed-l did not know IL al the tne-shortly after
he came out Of the war, afer there had been
ton and this surgical treatment had been gone
through with. he active in political and profess
sional life l am told that be was a candidate for
closed. am told that since that pension was al
lowed ia 1876 he has been thrice a candidate for
Congress IN the district where he resides that he
has made the canvass i'm opposition 20 his antago-
mist. and he has been a candidate for Governor
active upon the stump, that he has conducted his
professional vocation, that he has contended for
the senate OF the United states against the senator
from Illinois who now sits before me Mr.. LOganL
and know ofny own personal knowledge that
( during considerable portion Of that time he has
been manager upon the Board Of Soldiers Homes
and ann told from many quarters, from testimony
which cannot be questioned that he is not and that
he never has been totally disabled intellectually
and physically.
No pension, however large can be compensation
for such injuries John q. Black received No
would go through the havoc of war and the
battles confusion, innn would be torn aud rent
by shot and shell a. he was for 500 month But
what i protest against II that he, enjoying this
pension obtained upon those pretexts siZnalzes
bis advent into the place he now holds by protest.
who were as greatly disabled as he was and illat
be to-day stands advising and cooperating with
the President Of the United States in yetoing little
measures Of relief at " month 10 private pensioners
who could not sufficient evidence 10 estab-
lish their claims before the Pension Office / pro-
test against has enjoying that pension Of sl0O
missioner Of Pensions. FOR years and years since II
was granted 20 him, no more physically disabled
no more intellectually disabled than the Senator
from Indiana IS enjoying that pension upon pre-
tensions that do not exist and at the same time
using the powers Of his great office 10 Prevent The
payment OF pensions which had been lawfully and
properly granted.
Mr.. Voorhees, submitted the report OF the
committee on Gen. Blacks pension case. Com
menting thereon he said:
lie knows not one moments freedom from physi-
cal pain. His open, running wounds have 70 be
dressed now every day by AN attending physician
That Is Gen Blacks condition. And;i the Senator
from Kansas feels any pride In assaulting with
terms such a. lac has used man who barred his
breast, and Was shattered he was and who suf-
fered ns be has done. let him enjoy H. / would not
for any consideration have those words uDon NV
tongue toward any who had the honorable
life and record Of Gen. Black. The report con-
tinucs:
From August, 1865, until 1877, Gen. Black was
paid pension OF so per month. based rpon the
injury 10 his left In 1877 this was increased
90 60 per month because OF the loss Of the use Of
the other arm. He asks that the right 70 $50
per month be recognized from August, lssj5"
IL was a question Of arrears and not increase
lie did not ask ior the increase. / remember well
a consultation with Judge Davis and honored be
bis name ever by me whenever I utter H. and
hope the blessings Of health aud happiness viii be
his for long years 10 comet lie had known Gen
Black from ms bOyhoOd i consulted with him ns