The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-10-15
TITS VERY, VERY THIN
ManderSOn's Explanation of His
Re-Rating.
BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BURNED.
1t is Reduced to Ashes-Report of Surgeon
General HamiltonJThe Gar
Leaves Berlin.

WASHINGTON, Oct. Ex-senator Mander-
son, 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 re-rating was unsolicited
by him, the Senator says that on August
%, he wrote the commissioner, declining
to decide the question of the acceptance OF
rejection of the proposed re-rating until a
medical examination by board to be ap-
pointed by the pension office had deter
mined the extent of his present disability.
On September Il, he wrote Secretary
Noble that no examining board having
been appointed, he desired a full and
searching examination to determine
whether the action taken by the pension
Office was warranted by the rules; that he
wished the strietest construction and could
not consent to any straining of points.
Your last letter." continues the Senator,
''gives me your opinion that the re-rating
having been without application or med
lcal examination, was not in pursuance of
the usual practice, not in compliance with
the rule, and, therefore, unwarranted l
hoped before tinal action on my part, that
as the matter had been precipitated upon
me, an opportunity might be afforded to
snow 1t fully upon its merits, rather than
upon any teehnicalities of procedure. In
returning the certificate, the only evidence
L have received of action unadivisedly
taken in my behalf, am not compelled to
pass my individual judgment upon the
advisabil:ty or propriety of the action of
the commissioner, whose perfect integrity
and good Intentions no one can question.
have kept silent under the grossest abuse
and ostundeserved attacks, attacks that
did not suppose could come to man who had
tried to do his duty to his country in her
need, and had been previously injured in
that endeavor, because could not by pre-
cipitation of action reflect upon a gallant
cOmrade who certainly supposed that
within the requirement of the law he was
doing 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 l entertained the pur-
pose 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 leading
to it had been regular and had the warrant
OF strict law as well as of substantial
right
In an interview to-day, Senator Mander-
son said 1.-The government practically
told the men who enlisted; You risk 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 in
lurleS. as far as Is possible, we will make
you reparation.' If it were said the in
digent should receive this PREPARATION, then
a slur would be cast upon every pensioner Of
the government And rs a matter OF
justice, the reward should be sufficient for
his support But that is not the case The
pensioners of the government are not
paupers and indigents; poverty is not, and
should not be, the necessary qualification
Of the pensioner; and the idea that seems
to be current to that effect is far from
correct