The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-02-27
Republican Friendship For the Sol
dicP.

Republican Friendship For the Sol
dicr.
What has become of the Dockery bill
in the interest of pensioners, which was
passed by the house of representatives a
few weeks ago through the efforts of Col.
MANSON? The last we heard about it
WILLIAM WADE DUDLEY, LEMON of the
National Tribune, and other members or
tools of the pension agents ring, were
lobbying with the senate against its pas
sage. This ring has been plundering
the old soldiers for years past,
and it looks as if it would be
licensed by the republican senate to con-
tinue its rascally operations for years to
come. The pension ringsters live in
palatial residences in Washington, built
from the proceeds OF the swindles they
practice upon pensioners. They make
liberal contributions to the republican
campaign fund at every election; print
newspapers devoted to abuse of demo-
cratic soldiers and all who stand in the
way of their iniquitous schemes; and ere,
take them altogether, the worst gang of
public and private plunderers that infests
Washington. But it looks as ii they were
strong enough with the senate to defeat
any measure intended TO protect the old
soldiers against their rapacity.
The Dockery bill merely takes away the
fee OF the attorney in cases of increase of
the disability for which the claim
ant is already pensioned, and forbids
the payment of an attorneys fee in
the case OF a special act when the claim is
allowable at the pension Office. 1t is a
just and a righteous measure and so mani
testify in the interest of the soldiers that it
passed the house without opposition. 1t
cannot be opposed except in the in
terest OF the Washington ring. Mr.. Quay
is a member of the senate committee
on pensions, and as he knows the value of
the services rendered by the ring to HAIR
RIsoN in the last campaign, and as his
associate, DUDLEY, is working against the
bill, we have no doubt he will see to il
that it does not become law. The value
OF republican professions of friendship for
the old soldiers is well illustrated by the
course this matter is taking.
The Globe Democrat Of st. Louis, strong
republican paper, had this to say OF the
Dockery bill when it passed the house
some weeks ago:
The pensioners of the country owe n debt of
thanks and gratitude to Congressman DOCKERY
for his services in securing the passage of q
bill TO cut down the exorbitant fees of the pen
sion attorneys and TO lessen the opportunities
OF that class of Spectators TO practice decep-
ton and injustice. 1t is a lnnentable fact
that tn soldiers have been wrOnged out
out of a large sum of money by set of men
who profess to be specially devoted TO
their interests. The average pensoner is not
in position TO know what schemes are con-
cOcted by cunning and INSCRIPTIONS attorneys
from time 10 time for the purpose of securing
pay from him for work which is never performed
He is practically at the mercy of such sharpers
in many respects. They have a very plausi
bic way of inviting his confidence
and pointing out TO him the alleged adj
vantage OF placing his claims in their hands
OF course every dollar expended in that direc-
ton amounts 10 direct diminutiOn OF the pen
slons granted by the government. That is to
say. the profits realized by the attorneys are so
much positive loss To the pensioners; and it is
the right and the duty of congress to provide
means of protection in the case which shall put
a stop to this scandalous form OF extOrtion.
1t is estimated that Mr.. DoCKERY's bill. if it
becomes law, will take at least $4,000 per
year from the pension sharks, and this implies
100000 per year saved to those who draw the
pensions. The senate surely he relied
upon 10 ratify the action OF the house in mat
ter of so much interest to a worthy class of
citizens. 1t is hardly possible, perhaps, for
the pensioners TO dispense with attorneys
altogether, in view Of the fact that their claims
often complicated and technical; but they
are entitled TO such laws will prevent the
preparation of gross wrongs at their expense
As a general rule, the attorneys are not re-
pensions sought by their clients. At the
most, they can only hasten favorable ac-
ton where such a result is certain 10 come
IN the usual course of business; and they
can well afford 70 render such service for
smaller fees than they are accustomed 70 de-
mand. The argument that they have right to
charge as much as the claimants are willing to
pay is not a valid or proper one. They have
no right TO take advantage OF those who en-
ploy them by exaeting rates of pay which are
in excess of ordinary charges for similar labor
The pension laws are for the benefit of crippled
and disabled soldiers. and not for the support
OF intriguing and rapacious attorneys; and the
people expect congress to bear this fact in
mind, and to see that the money appropriated
for pension purposes is not diverted to waste
full and illegitimate uses. If the pensioners
must have attorneys let the fees be so fixed as
to prevent imposition, and to compel honest
service for reasonable compensation.