The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-10-14
SENATOR NANpERsOyS PENSION.

ltN returns u With ~ iaetteE nHuWhB ht
Had Never sought It--A aianlI, Straight
forward statement.
WASHINGTON, Oct. lS,-seCretary No
bic has rendered an opinion to the effect
that Senator Manderson's re.rating was
illegal and that under this decision Sen,
a,Or Manderson has returned the special
certificate sent him by Commissioner
Tanner.
Senator Manderson, In returning the
money paid him under the re.rating oil
his pension, wrote long letter TO Sec,
retary Noble. After stating that the re.
rating was unsolicited by him, the letter
continues: ION August 90 | addressed
letter to the Commissioner, oil which |
transmitted you a copy, declining to de-
eide the questions OF acceptance or re-
lection Of tho prolEered re.rating until a
medical examination by board, 10 be
appointed by the Pension office, had
determined tue extent OF my present
disability.
"On September IA wrote you that nc
examining board having been appointed
and having no Information that such
board would be appointed in compliance
with my request, l desired full and
searching examination by you to deter.
mine whether the action taken by the
pension office was such as was warranted
by the rules Of proceeding governing
such cases. stated In my letter that ]
wished the striCtest construction OF law,
rule and precedent, and that could moi
consent to any straining Of either.
also requested you, II the proceedings
were irregular, to designate the board
before which | should appear.
"Y0ur last letter gives me youropinion
that the re.rating, having been without
application and without medical exam
nation, was not in pursuance OF the
usual practice, was not in compliance
with rules; and was therefore unwar'
ranted. l hoped before formal action
on my part, that as the matter had been
preclpitated upon me, the opportunity
might be afforded to show itfully upon
It's merits rather than upon any tech
nicalities Of procedure. This Is evident
ly impossible, under your opinions, and
without further delay | send you the
re-rated pension certificate with the re-
quest that you cause 1t to be returned
TO the Commissioner Of Pensions fol
cancellation. In thus returning the
only evidence l have received
Of the actions unadyiscdly taker
In my behalf upon your opin
ion that II was not taken in com
pliance with law, | am not compelled h
pass my individual judgment upon tbt
advisability or proprlety OF the action o
the Commissioner, whose perfect integ
rity and good intentions no one cal
question. / have kept silent unde
abuse aud most undesefved attacks tina
| did not suppose could come 10 a mar
who had tried 10 do his duty to hi
country In her need, and had beet
grievOusly injured in that endeavor
because could not reflect upon d gal
liant Comrade who certainly supposed
that within the law he was doing
kindly and proper act. 1t Is due Il
myself to say that at no time since
was advised OF the issue Of this certifi
cate have ! entertained a purpose Il
retain what might be due under It TO IN,
own use, but | did certainly desire i
show my right to It ifthe steps leadinI
TO 1t had been regular and had the war
rant oi strict law as well us Of right.
"You say In your opinion: 'Th
pensioner, who was a chivNlrous officer
whose merits are not to be indicated b.
a pensionahle rating, was not volun
tary party to the action, aud It appear
that he neither sought nor expected 1t
This Is, perhaps, full vlndicatiOn Of th
course | have pursued and for these an
other kindly words in your courteou
latter, l thank you.
"CnARLKs +. MANDERsoN."