Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-07-22
PENSIONS AND PENSION vEroEs
Congressmen Springer Throws Light
on the Political Machine.

Congressman Springer Throws Light
on the Political Machine.
Mr.. Springer said, Friday he would
not discuss the pending bill and the
veto message OF the President there
on except to call attention to the fact
that in 1882 by Commissioner Dud-
ley. But gentlemen on the other side
of the chamber had taken advantage
of the discussion to attack the Presi-
dent and the Democratic party, and to
charge that they were opposed to
granting pensions. Nothing could be
further from the truth. During the
entire eight years of General Grants
administration only 542 privrte pen
sions we're granted. During the for.
ty.seventh Congress, which was Re-
publican in both branches, only Isl
private pensions bills were passed.
But during the last, or forty eight
Congress, which contained a majority
of Democrats in this house, and when
the gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
Matson) was chairman of the commit
tee on Invalid pensions, 542 of such
bills passed and became laws, and
this Congress, since December last,
had passed 665 private pension bills,
of which about 575 had either been
signed by President Cleveland or had
become laws without action. He had
vetoed about 80 private pension bills,
out 33 more had passed and become
laws during his administration, up to
this time, than we're passed during the
eight years of Grants administration.
Gen. Black, commissioner of pensions,
has granted over 10000 certificates
to pensioners since he assumed the
duties of his Office, being 10 per cent.
more than had ever before been issued
by any of his predecessors during the
same length of time The treasury of
the United States attested the eject
of Gen. Blacks increased efficiency
in the administration of the pensions
Office. The payments to pensioners
during the fiscal year just ended ex-
ceeded those of the previous fiscal
year by $s,6oO,OOO. But notwlth-
standing this increase in pension pay
ments there had been net reduction
of Expenditures during the past fiscal
year of over SIG, 100000 as compared
with the fiscal year of 1885. Exclud-
ing pensions the reduction of ordinary
expenses for 1886, as compared with
1885, amounted to $24, 900. This
statement was made from the treas
ury department Mr.. Springer as
serted that the pension Office had been
previous to Gen. Blacks administra
| ton, run in the interest of the Repub
lican party. During the last presieen
tial year the number of claims of ap
plicants for pensions considered by tn
examining surgeons in certain state
was very significant. In Maine,
contested state, there were IT'S case
considered in each congressional dis
trict. In Massachusetts,, reliably he
publican, where no special political Ell
forts were required, the number s
considered was only l9l in each dis
trict. In Pennsylvania, RELIABLY Re
; publican, there we're only 232 con
test, the unmber was COS in each dis
trict Tn Indiana the number con
sidered was S2l in each district, Will
in Illinois, reliably Republican, tn
number so considered was only AGO i
each district. Thus 1t will be see
that, where there were great poliuc'
contests during the last presidenti'
. year, the business of the pension ofic
was concentrated to the neglect {
worthy applicants who happened to re
! side in states reliably Republican
; ; hopelessly Democratic.