Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-10-14
AT HOME AND ABROAD.
Henderson Explains That
Pension Affair.
HIS RE-RATING UNWARRANTED,
AffectiOnate Leave-Taking Between
the Car and Kaiser-The
Pan-Americans.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD. |

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.
WASHINGTON, October Is. - Senator
Henderson, in returning the money paid
to him under the re-rsting of his PEN
sion, wrote long letter to Secretary
Noble. After stating that the re-rating
was unsolicited by him, the Senator says
on August 23d he wrote the Commits
sioner declining to decide the question of
the acceptance or rejection of the pro-
posed re.rating until medical examina-
ton by a board to be appointed by the
Pension Office had determined the extent
OF his present disability. On September
14th he wrote Secretary Noble that no
examining board had been appointed,
and that he desired full and searching
examination to determine whether the
action taken by the Pension Office was
warranted by the rules; that he wished
the strictest construction, and could not
consent to any straining Of points.
"Your letter." continues tho Senator,
referring to communication from Sec
rotary Noble, "gives me your opinion
that the re-rating, having been without
application or medical examination WAS
not in pursuance with the usual practice
and not in compliance with the rules,
and therefore unwarranted. hoped be-
fore final action on my part, that as the
matter had been precipitated upon me,
an opportunity might be afforded to
show that it was fully upon its merits,
rather than upon any technicalities of
procedure. In returning the only evidence
have received of the action unadvisedly
taken in my behalf, I am not
compelled to pass my individual
Judgment upon the ACCESSIBILITY
or propriety of the action Of
the Commissioner, whose perfect integ-
rity and good intentions no one can
question. / have kept silent under the
Rrossest abuse and most undeserved at
tacks, that I dared not suppose could
come to man who had tried to do his
duty to his country in her need, and
have been grievously injured in that
endeavor because 1 could not, by pre-
cipitation of action, reflect upon gallant
comrade who certainly Supposed that
within the requirements of the law, he
was doing kindly and proper act.
''It is due myself to say, however, that
at no time since l was advised of the is
sue of this certificate have entertained
a purpose to retain what might be due
under it to my own use, but / did GER
tainly desire to show my right to it If the
steps leading to it had been regular and
had the warrant OF strict law as we'll as
of substantial right"
In an interview today Senator Man
derson said 1.-The Government prscti.
cally told the men who enlisted, you
rick your lives for the stability Of the
Government. If you come out well
and safe there is no liability
on our part, but if you
receive injuries, as far as possible we will
make you reparation. If it we're said only
the INDECENT should receive this repara-
ton, then a slur would be cast upon every
pensioner of the Government, and as a
matter Of justice the reward should be
sufficient for his support; but that is not
the case. The pensioners of the Govern
ment are not paupers and indigents;
poverty should not be necessary qualifi-
cation Of a pensioner, and the idea that
seems to be current to that effect, is
far from correct.