The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-10-24
HENDERSON INDICATED.
Letter OF the Senator Returning the Money Paid
Under Tanners Rerating.

Under Tanners ReTating.
Senator Henderson in returning tho money
paid to him under the Teratiug of his pension
wrote a long letter TO Secretary Noble. After
stating that the rerating was unsolicited by
him (MandersOn) the latter continues:
ION Aug. % | addressed letter to the Com
missioner, of which | transmitted you n copy,
declining TO decide the question of acceptance
or rejection of the prOifered reratiug until a
medical examination by board, TO be appoint
cd by the Pension Office, had determined the
extent of my present disability.
"On Sept. Ia | wrote You that no examina-
ton board having been appointed, and having
no information that such board would be APP
pointed IN compliance with my request, de-
sired full and searching examination by you to
determine whether the action taken by the
Pension Office was such rs warranted by tho
rules of proceeding governing such eases, |
stated in my letter that wished the strictest
construction of law, rule aud precedent and
that i could not consent TO any strainiug of
either. / also requested you, If tho proceed
ings were regular, to designate the board before
which / should appear.
Your last letter gives me your opinion that
tho rcrating having been without application
aud without medical examination was not in
pursuance Of the usual practice was not in conf
pliance with the rule, and was therefore UNI
warranted. / hoped before final action on my
part that rs the matter had been precipitated
upon me, the opportunity might be afforded TO
show il fully upon its merits rather than upon
any technicalitics of procedure. This is evil
IDENTIFY impossible under your opinions, and
without further delay / send TO you the rerated
pension certificate, with the request that you
cause It to be returned to the Commissioners of
Pensions for cancellation.
. In thus returning the only evidence | have
received of the actions unadvisedly taken in
my behalf, upon your opinion that it was not
taken in compliance with law, / am not COM
PEELED TO pass my individual judgment upon
the ACCESSIBILITY or propriety of the action OF
the Commissioners, whose perfect integrity and
good intentions no one can question. ] have
kept silent under grossest abuse and most un-
deserved attacks that did not suppose could
come to n man who had tried 90 do his duty TO
his country in her need and had been grievous-
~ injured in that endoavor because | could
not by precipitation OF action reflect upon n
gallant comrade, who certainly supposed that
within the requirements of the law he was do
ing kindly and proper act
p" 10 Is due 10 myself TO say, however, that Mt
no time since was nj ysed Of the issue OF this
certificate have | entertained purpose to re-
tain what might be duo under IL TO my own
use, but did certainly desire 10 show my right
to il if tho steps leading tn IL had been regular
and had the warrant OF strict law, "a well as of
substantial right You say in your opinion:
The pensioner, who WAS ohivalrous officer,
whose merits not to be vindicated by pension
able rating. was not voluntary party To the 'nc-
ton ia this matter aud it appears that he neither
sought nor expected IL.
"This is, perhaps, full vindcaton OF tho
course have pursued. and for these and other
kindly words IN your courteous letter / thank
you.
livery truly, yours.
CHARLES +. MANpERsoN."
In an interview the Senator said that he had
eliminated from the letter rs irrelevant certain
views he entertained with regard TO pensions,
The Government" no said, "practicaliy
told the men who enlisted, 'Yon risk your
lives for tho stability Of the Government If
you come out well and safe there rs no liability
ON our part; but If you receive Injuries, then.
as far as possible, we viii mako you II repara-
tion'
Now, that PREPARATION can be practically
done in but one way, and that Is by giving
money PREPARATION, winch, from the magnitude
OF the aggregate number of contracts must be
limited. If il wore said that only the INDECENT
should receive this reparation. then slur
would be east upon every ponsioner of the Gov
ernmcnt and as a matter of Justice the reward
should be sufficient for his support.
" But this is not the case. The pensioners Of
the Government are not paupers aud ind-
Fence is not and should not be necessary
qualification Of the pensioneT; and the idea
that seems TO be current to that effect is far