Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-07
PENSIONS AND POLITICS.
Commissioner Black Again Before the
Senate Committee.
SENATORS HARRISON AND BECK DIFFER AS TO
THE METHOD TO BE PERSUED IN THE IN
vESTIGATION.

]. -
The Senate committee on public expenditures
| to-day resumed the investigation of Pension
Commissioner Black in relation to the aIega-
ton contained in his annual report that under
his predecessor political influence controlled
and dictated action in pension cases.
Senator Harrison began by inquiring of Com
missioner Black further about the case of Mark
Robinson, OF Indiana who was granted PEN
sion for disability caused by diabetes. Gen.
Black did not believe a sufficient case was made
out for a pension. He admitted that he had con-
tinued the pension to the widow and that the
law requires the widow, in order to retain the
pension, to prove that her husband died of the
disease for which he was granted a pension. He
had not seen ut to disturb the case and revoke
the pension. Gen. Black, at the request OF Sem
atOr Harrison, described diabetes and its effects
saying he believed it usually ran its course
within three years. Gen. Black thought the
statement contained in the letter of senator
have made it special, but it was not made
special on that letter, but a letter written by
the claimants son, which did not justify such
action.
SENATOR BECK SAID THE REAI. ISSUE
was whether or not Gen. Black, from the evil
dence before him, believed the pension office
had been run politically, and for political pur-
poses, and he proposed to call out all the facts
upon which he made up his opinion.
senator Harrison said he could not consent
that ex-parte affidayits should be put in.
Senator Beck retorted, with some warmth,
Black had found to lead him to believe politi-
cal influence had controlled in the pension
Office before the country and in the record If he
had to accomplish it by making report and
reading 1t in the Senate. He was determined
that Gen. Blacks whole case should go in that
record.
THE CASE OF JAMES I. DAVID,
of Michigan, being one of the number Gen.
Black submitted TO sustain his charge, was next
taken up. On March 25th, 1871, David was
granted pension of SO a month for hernia,
and the pension was stopped in 1876. The
gust, 1860, David's horse was killed under him
in action, and, falling upon him, produced rup-
ture. David was not Immediately afterwards
treated for the rupture. Affidavits of comrades
were to the effect that he had rupture David
was Quartermaster at the time he claimed TO
stated that it was doubtful whether David was
injured as claimed; that subsequent to the al
legged injury David was treated for indigestion
The examiners report set forth that there
was conflicting testimony as to David's injury,
while helping to move a cannon, and another
that he was so injured by his horse falling on
him. The case was endorsed by Benton, chief
listed prior TO David's enlistment and the pay
ment of the pension was stopped in 1876.
Among the papers was a note from Commits
sioner Bentley asking If the case mad been
dropped, and II 80, for what reason. On March
4tb, 1SS4, David applied for reinstatement. In
connection with this application an affidavit
by David was filed, stating his enlistment, and
that he received an injury In service which
produced rupture; that his pension was dis
continued without his being giving hearing
A LETTER FROM SENATOR CoNGER
was produced, inclosing Davids application for
reinstatement and his affidavit, together with
other papers. In his letter Senator Conger
spoke of David as an old friend and man of
integrity, and said he would be glad to see him
reinstated.
A letter from Acting Commissioners Clark to
Senator Palmer was read, informing him that
the evidence did not warrant reinstatement
letter from David to q MIR. Livingston was read
to the effect that after the defeat OF Mr. Chandler
certain parties in David's neignborhood were
disappointed, and set on foot y movement
against him, which resulted in his PEN
sion being stopped. He referred to his army
services, ana 70 many VINO served with him and
knew Of his injury. He complained that lac
had been unfairly treated, and declared that II
given chance he could prove the validity of
his claim to o pension.
After the application was refused Senator
Palmer wrote that he thought the case ought
to be re0pened aud requesting that that be done
This was indor6e& by an order from Commit
sioner Dudley, dated June 9th. 1854, TO reopen
The COMMITTEES adjourned subject 70 the call
Of the chairman. Senator Cullom, the chair.
man, was not present, - he was suffering With
severe Oold, ana deemed Il prudent not to 70
out to-day. Senator f1att presided. and it was
decided not to Ax . date for the next meeting
In the ohaifm1n,s ab0ouoo.