The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-25
A BLACK EYE FOR BLACK.
CONTINUATION OF THE PENSION
BUREAU INVESTIGATION.
The COm missioner 80 Far Pals to
Make Dat a Case-Ihe Ex-
animation.

WAsBTSoToS, March 24.-The ex-
animation OF Pension Commissioner
Black was continued by the Senate
Committee on Public Expenditures
this morning.
Senator Harrison took up the case
OF Capt. John A. Whist, one OF the
twenty cases furnished by Commits
sioner Black 10 sustain his charge
that the pension Office had been man
aged as a political machine by his
predecessors.
Commissioner Black said he did not
wish 10 be examined on that case this
morning, and that he would Withdraw
it from the investigation.
Senator Harrison asked whether the
withdrawal was in consequence of the
politics of the claimant.
Commissioner Black declined TO an
swer the question.
Senator Harrison asked whether the
withdrawal was not made because of
the discovery that the claimant was a
Democrat.
Witness said he did not know yet.
He had not completed the case.
Senator Harrison again asked the
reasons which impelled the witness to
withdraw the case.
In reply Commissioner Black said
that he was told yesterday by man
that the committee had an excellent
jose which they we're going TO spring
on him; that there was the case of one
man who was a Democrat and the
chairman of a Democratic county
committee. He (Mr. Black ran over
the list hurriedly, and became salts
fed that Mr.. Whist was Dem
| ocrat.
Senator Harrison asked if witness
knew that claimant had always been a
Democrat, and was q chairman of the
Democratic Committee of lndianapo-
lis, to which the commissioner replied
in the negative.
Commissioner Black said he had not
dropped Whist. He did not know
whether he should do IL Emphati-
cally, he thought the testimony was
enough TO keep him on the rolls.
The case OF Reuben Neil was then
taken up, and Senator Plumb con-
Quoted the investigation.
Commissioner Black, in reply to in
quiries, said that the claim as al
lowed was not suspended before the
certificate reached the witness, in con-
sequence of statement by Congress-
man Petit one that he was informed
claimant was a fraud, and suggesting
a further investigation. 1t was still in
q condition OF suspension.
Mr.. Plumb asked what there was in
this case that was irregular.
Commissioner Black said the case
had been examined on two occasions
he had been recommended for admis-
| sion and there seemed to be nOthingin
| the case that was adverse TO its admis-
sion. II was suspended on the sugges-
ton of Mr.. Pettibone, who had never
seen claimant and had no personal
knowledge Of him.
Mr. Plumb as ed whether witness
would have not suspended the case
| under like circumstances.
Commissioner Black said he might
do so. 1t would depend on wha the
knew of the case. All the evidence in
the case was in favor of claimant, yet
the case was suspended on letter of
a man " had never seen claimant
and admitted he knew nothing about
the case personally.
Mr.. Plumb asked il the Commits
sioner had reinstated this claimant,
Witness said he had not His reason
was that in such cases he wishes to
proceed with more caution than in
ordinary cases.
Commissioner Black, in conclusion,
asked TO submit the indorsementupon
the docket noting the suspension OF the
case. This Endorsement, he said,
would reply to an inquiry which was
made before he Black became Com
missioner.
Mr.. Plumb then called attention to
another Endorsement upon the docket
which he asked the witness TO read.
Commissioner Black read as follows
"PRNs ION 0PFlcE, January 10, 1886.
claimant, through the Hon. A. II
Pettibone, was informed that his
name was dropped, as additional evil
dence does not change status
Commissioner Black appeared never
TO have seen or heard OF this indorse'
ment before. In reply to Senator
Plumb, he said: THAT would indi
cate that the thing has been jockeyed
with in my Office. A man who has
only one or two CLERKS of his owr
persuasion in a great decision like
that has to Ia Q some chances"
The committee adjourned to NEE
one week from to-day.