The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-13
About Pensions.

about PENSIONS.
To the Editor OF the Indianapolis journal:
One may hear almost anything nowadays con-
corning pensions, and the doings of the Pension
Bureau.
Some time since was told by comrade that
General Black, the Commissioner of Pensions.
had spoilers" around inquiring into cases, and
that some of the pensioners were going to get
into trouble, etc. He conveyed to me the idea
that the 'spotter" was very secret, sly, slip
up-on-'em kind of q person. I knew that no
Commissioner of Pensions during the past thir-
teen years had resorted to any sneak thief prac
tees in the administration of the Office, and my
personal acquaintance with General Black
would not warrant me in believing that he
would resort to such measures to combat either
pensioners or claimants denied the existence
of any such agents these so called spoilers, y
and resolved to write to General Black concern
Jig the matter. In answer to my letter, have
received the following:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
PENSION OFFICE,
WASHINGTON. ID. O.. April ~, 1861
Charles M. Travis. Esq. Crawfordsville. Ind:
Sir-I have to acknowledge the receipt Of your
letter Of the 23d instant. which am directed by
the honorable Commissioner OF Pensions to
answer, stating that It has come to your knowl-
edge that this Office has in it's employ spoilers
whose business it is to stop pensions am sur
prised that such an erroneous impression should
exist anywhere for 1t is wholly without founda-
ton. Spoilers have no place upon the rolls of
this Office.
Employees Of the Pension Bureau known as
special examiners, whose appointment is author
lied by law, are the only persons Entrusted with
the investigation of pension claims. Their
Offices are confined to the collection Of facts and
the major part of their time is consumed In aid
ing the claimants to procure proof in cases OF
difficulty, which would otherwise have to be re-
iected in the absence of sufficient evidence to
satisfy the law. The testimony and facts thus
obtained are forwarded to the Office, and here
passed upon by the several legal and medical
boards of review, which decide ON the merits of
the claims. The adjudication Of pension claims
is not one of the functions Of the special exam
liner.
The duties of special examiners also require
Them when informed Of the violation of the pen
sion statutes, to report the facts to the Office for
consideration. and this for the protection of all
parties commemorative claimant and the govern
ment alike.
The rights of no one, be he claimant attorney,
or other person, are assailed without an oppor-
tunity for defense; and their rights are only
called into question in the enforcement of the
law, and in the interests of public policy.
regret that you have been misinformed as to
the duties aud character of the special employees
of the Pension Ofice-as they are in no sense of
the word spies-and that credence should have
been given the re port that system Of espionage
had been adopted for the purpose Of depriving
soldiers and their dependents Of rights and dues
guaranteed under the law.
There are now operating In the State of Indi-
ana TWENTY-FIVE special examiners, of whom ten
have been appointed during the incum bency of
the present Commissioner, General Black. The
balance, numbering twelve, were appointed
under the former Commissioner, Colonel Dudley.
Very respectfully, A. S. COLEMAN,
Chief s. e. Division.
The foregoing certainly shows that there is
nothing mean about "Uncle Sam" as regards the
management of the immense business he intrusts
to the Commissioner of Pensions. 1t also shows
doing a thing that the law does not authorize
and that he would not do were the law silent
upon the question.
In this as in other things, General Black is
passing over the rough road that his predeces-
sors. Van Areman, Baker, McGill, Bentley, Dud-
ley and Clarke, travelled over before him. From
the important and peculiar duties of the Office of
Commissioner of Pensions, he is liable to be
damned If he does and to be damned if he don't.
Praises showered upon his head when, in the
honest discharge of his duty, claim for pension
is allowed. Deep damnations are pronounced
against him when, in the honest discharge of
duty, a claim for pension is disallowed. lin
this connection / nave enough to say that would
fill columns of your precious space. but i am
given to mercy, and will spare you Cow. But
beware. Should some comrade ask my expert
ence in this matter during the past thirteen
years. you must suffer the 'infiction" here
after.)
Even the President of the United States is
not more subject to criticism, vituperation and
billingsgate than the Commissioner of Pensions.
There is not in the Office of the President or any
other national officer duties, pleasant and I'M
pleasant, to perform that bring his name so near
to the parties concerned as the duties that de-
volve upon the Commissioner of Pensions.
CHAs. ID. TRAVIS.
CRAwFoRDsvILLE. Ind, May7