Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-14
MANDERSON'S PENSION,
The Senator Returns the Certificate, but In
sisfs That Tanners Intentions Were
Honesi-Indigency Mott the Only
Ground for a Pension.

WASHINGTON, October Ex-senator
Manderson, in returning the money paid to
him under the re-rating Of his pension, wrote
a long letter to Secretary Noble. After
stating that the rerating was unsolicited by
him (Manderson) the letter continues:
On August % 1 addressed letter to the
Commissioner, of which transmitted to you q
copy, declining to decide the questions OF ac-
ceptance or rejection Of the profered re-rating
until q medical examination BY board, to be
mined the extent of my present disability. On
September IA wrote you that no examining
board having been appointed. and having had
no information that such board would be ap-
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 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 not consent to any strain1ng OF
either. also requested you, IL the proceed
ings were regular, to designate the board be-
fore which should appear.
Your last letter gives me your opinion that
the re-rating having been without application
and without medical examination, was not In
pursuance of the usual practice, was not in
compliance with rule, and was, therefore, un-
warranted. Ihoped before formal action on
my part that, as the matter had been precipi-
tated upon me, the opportunity might be at
forded to show it fully upon its merits rather
than upon any technicalities OF procedure.
This is evidently impossible under your opin-
IONS and without further delay send to you
the re-rated pension certificate, with the re-
quest that you cause it to be returned TO the
Commissioner of Pensions for cancellation.
In thus returning the only evidence have
received of the actions unadvised by me taken in
my behalf, upon your opinion that it was not
ell nr,fi xuff1 Lam ,rf
PEELED to pass my individual judgment upon
the advisability or propriety Of the action Of
the commissioner. 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 a man who had tried to do his duty to
his country in her need, and had been griey-
ously injured in that endeavor, because could
not by precipitation OF action reflect upon .
gallant comrade, who certainly supposed that
within the requirements of the law he was
doing kindly and proper act. 1t is due myself
to say, however, that at no time since was ad-
vised of the issue of this certificate have en-
tertained purpose to retain what might be
due under it to my own use. but did certainly
desire to show my right to it If the steps lead
ing to it had been regular and had the warrant
of strict law as well as of substantial right.
You say in your opinion: "The pens1oner,
who was chivalrous officer, whose merits are
not to be indicated by pensionable rating. was
not a voluntary party to the action in this mat
ter, and il appears that he neither saw nor ex-
pected itn This IS. perhaps, full vindlcation Of
the course have pursued, and for these and
other kindly words in your courteous letter,
CHARLES F. MANDERsoN.
In an interview, Mr.. Manderson said that
he had eliminated from the letter, as irrele-
want, certain laws he entertained with re-
gard to pensions. He said:
The Government practically told the men
who enlisted, you risk your lives for the stabil-