The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-10-10
The PENSION SERVICE.

Father O'Donaghuc Pays High Tribute TO
President CIeyoiand's Administration.
The very Rev. d. O'Dosaghue, the priest
OF ST. Patrick's church and chancellor of
the diocese OF Vincennes, returned re-
Gently from Washington, d. c., where he
has been in the interest of q widows claim
for a pension. While there he had an OPP
portunity, of course, to investigate the
matter Of pension legislation In general.
What he says of the work of the depart
ment can be accepted beyond question
and without any notifications.
In an interview with SENTINEL rep
resentative last night he said: what 1
saw at Washington convinced me that the
work of the pension department is carried
on with perfect justice and fairness.
Everything is systematized, and the bust
ness is carried on without hitch. was
surprised at the attention and courtesy
shown TO any one whe enters the depart
ment. / had supposed that on account OF
being burdened with so much work that
only ordinary civility would be shown to
an applicant or claimant. l was very
agreeably surprised. Those connected
with the department are very gentle
manly, show you every attention, and
listen patiently to what you have TO say.
Now, about the special mission upon
which / went, do not care TO say very
much about-at least, do not want to
give the namc of the claimant, as she
breads publicity. The reason why be-
came interested in this one case was that
] knew she was very deserving and l
could not see why it was that her pension
was never granted"
"When did she apply for it2"
about four or five years ago, under
the former administration. Her husband
was shot in the battle OF Chicamauga. He
was loading his gun at the time, when a
bullet from a rebel sharpshooter passed
through his body. He was thought TO be
dead, but rebel soldier took him into
camp and he subsequently recovered.
After the war he applied for pension and
got il. He was a carpenter, but his
wound prevented him from working at
his trade, as he could not stoop with
out great pain. He applied for an
increase at two subsequent times
and was successful each time.
About FIVE years ago he died plainly
from the effects OF his wound, though the
malady was consumption. His widow i'm
mediately made application for a widows
pension. Her claim was not allowed, the
medical examiners declaring that her hus-
band died OF consumption, and that the
malady had nothing to do with the wound
he received in battle. She was clearly,
thought, entitled to it. She was left with
hardly anything in the world, with three
children to support
81 went to Washington to lay her claim
before the department. / was heard with
a attention Whom I o,-nlainp1 no ri
cumstsnces of the case, her pension was
Immediately granted. | was able the
next day on my return home TO bring her
pension certificate with me-"
In response to an interrOgatory, Father
O'Donaghue, continuing, said:
"No, no favors whatever are shown on
account OF a mans political complexion.
affirm again that the work OF the depart
ment is carried on with honesty and fair
ness. II any man connected Herewith is
discovered 10 show any partiality 10 man
because he is democrat or because he is
q republican, you can count on his dis
missal forthwith"
did you hear any comment in Wash
ington concerning the pension bills Presi-
dent Cleveland vetoed?"
Eyes and l can say that President
Cleveland never vetoed bill unless there
were good reasons for so doing. If there
Is doubt about the justice of claim, the
applicant is given always the favor of a
doubt, but if claim is shown to be con-
trary to pension legislation, it is vetoed,
no matter who may be the applicant"
"Could anyone accuse you OF having
democratic proclivities ?"
''I tell you, whatever my politics. he
said with decided emphasis, 81 am for
honesty and justice, and / admire those
virtues wherever see them"