Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-10-31
THE MONEY RETURNED.
Senator Henderson Gives Up His Certif
cate of Re-Rating.

| Senator Henderson Gives Up His Certih-
cate of Relating.
Senator Henderson, in returning the
money paid to him under the re-rating
of his pension, wrote long letter to
Secretary Noble. After declaring that
the re-rating was unsolicited by him
| (Manderson) the letter continues:
ION August % 1 addressed letter to the
| Commissioner, of which L transmitted you a
/ copy, decling 10 decide the questions OF ac-
cepIance or rejection Of the proffered re-rating
until med cal examination by a toard, to be
| appointed by the Pension ONCE, had deter
mined the extent OF my present disability.
| ION September IA l wrote you that no exam
| ming board having been appointed, and having
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 10 any straIning of
either. 1 also requested you, # the proceed
| lngs 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 IN
warranted. hoped before final action on my
part that as the matter had been precip-
itated upon me, the opportunity might be af-
| forded to show IL fully upon its merits,
rather than upon any technicalities of proceed
ure. This is evidently impossible under your
opinions, and without further delay send to
you the re-rated pension certificate, with the
hot 70 Ho- of,r ,ad Rfa
Commissioner of Pensions for cancellation
In thus returning the only evidence have
received OF the actions unadvisedly taken in
M behalf, upon your opinion that It was not
taken in compliance with law, I am not com
PEELED to pass M Individual judgment upon
the ACCESSIBILITY or propriety of the action of
she Commissioner. whose perfect integrity and
good intentions no one can question. have
Kept silent under grossest abuse and most IN
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 grievous-
ly injured in that endeavor, because 1 could
not by precipitation Of action reflect upon a
gallant comrade, Wa certainly supposed that
within tie requirements Of the law he was do
ing kindly and proper act.
1T is due myself TO say, however, that at no
time since was advised of the issue OF this
certificate have entertained q purpose to
retain what might be due under it TO my own
use, but / did certainly desire 10 show my
right 10 it Il the steps leading to it had been
regular and had the warrant of strict law as
well as Of substantial right
In an interview Mr.. Henderson
said that he had eliminated from the
letter as irrelevant certain views he
entertained with regard to pensions
''The Government, he said. "prac-
tically told the men who enlisted:
You risk your lives for the stability
of the Government. II you come out
well and safe there is no liability on
our part; but if you receive injuries,
then, as far as possible, we will make
you reparation. Now that repara-
ton can be practically made in but
one way, and that is by giving money
PREPARATION, which, from the magni-
tude of the aggregate number of con-
tracts. must be limited II it were
said that the INDECENT should receive
this reparation then slur would be
cast upon every pensioner of the Gov