The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-07
And Gives Very. Satisfactory and Convincing
Reasons for His 0ppOsition-Exposing
the Pres entions of General Black.
Seeking Authority to Sue the President
OF the United States for Libel.
Mr.. Brumm Shows the Height and Depth Of
Mr.. Scott's Friendship for the Laboring
Man-0iher Items Of Washington News.
THE PENSION OFFICE.

Congressman Chssdle's Reasons for Declin-
ing to Vote Additional Money.
Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6-In the House. this
during the consideration OF = bill to
increase the salaries OF the medical examiners
of the Pension Bureau. MIR. Cheadle, of Indiana,
got in some more Of bis excellent work upon the
miserable management of the Pension Office,
and the execrable extravagance OF the admins
trhtion. During the course OF his telling 70
marks, Mr. Cheadle said: "It has been the boast
of the present Pension Bureau that it has
granted more pensions than any OF its prede-
cessors; and it should grant more. Prior to 1885,
the clerical force was only 744. In that year it
was increased to 1854. which force is retained to
this date. The bill proposes to increase the
number Of the medical force six and tho annual
salaries $50. .45O year. / am opposed to the
creates twenty-nine stationary officers, requir-
ing an annual appropriation of &c. 100.
until such time as some future Congress
shall SEQ proper to repeal the act.
Secondly. do rot think the service requires an
increase of salaries at this time. The cost of
the Pension Bureau is now So 44S, ,75o year.
The bill proposes to increase this vast sum
s20 450 year. II this is not sufficient to carry
on the Pension Bureau, then insist that it is
our imperative duty to simplify the rules Of
practice go that hereafter such an outlay
shall be required. This sum Of SO, 44S, $50 year
would pay the pensions of 81, ,924 veterans at IS
per month. aud insist that the expense Is great
enough now. and that TO increase it would be
both unwise and extravagant. II We add 10 the
sum the attorney fees We shall find that it costs
taxpayers and pensioners nearly $1,000. 600 .
year 20 carry on the Pension Department
Surely this is quite enough. aud so thought the
distinguished Commissioners of Pensions in Feb
ruary, 1887. when he stated before the com.
mittee appropriations, at thu
end Of the Forty-ninth Congress, that
if no further laws were enacted materially in
creasing the work Of the department, he should
dispense with from 150 to 200 employees by the
end of the fiscal year, which closed June 80,
1883 No laws have been enacted increasing the
work materially. Has the foree been decreased
Not al all The entire force il provided for dur
log ali OF the year ending juno 80, 1889. 1
think it the part of wisdom to adhere to this ap-
preparation, which is, in the opinion of the Com
missioner, very liberal, indeed. The Demo
cratic party, with . blast of trumpets, went be-
fore the country in 1884 demanding reform in
the administration of the government, and
promising the most rigid economy should Cleve-
land be elected. He was elected. What are
the resultsi The effect Of that reform and
economy has been to increase expenditures in
the sum OF sos, eco, 900 over those Of Mr. Ar
thurs administration. The bill under consider
alton proposes to increase this sum $40, ,45O q
year. Because love real economy more than
Democrats promises OF economy and reform.
is my reason for opposing tnis particular sam
pie of economy, which will, if defeated save
taxpayers 500, 45o year"