New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-26
r.v 1rrrcR,ru TO THE TRIBUSE-I

Democratic party in Congress wlthlr 'ne lds' ""
wears has furnished so many shihihe eAainPes vi
unaffected but warm and sincere friendship ior us
.h,.d Veterans Of the Union Army that il may seem
almost invidious to specify comment upon any
particular case. And yet every man OF generous d.
well AZ inst impulses every man who loves candor
and open and direct dealing, even with polucai
opponents: every who Is an honest ana patriouc
citizen and therefore DESTROYS of having fraud upon
the Government exposed and the perpetrators thereof
nnnshed: every man who backbiting and every
man who appreciates those qualities of public servant
which make him "a slave 10 duty VIII 'lahh lhe
Tribune for giving brief history OF one such case mas
much 1t may represent many others OF ike
description.
The modest unassuming of this true story-so
modest that he even seems 10 seek TO do good deeds
nv stealth--is Clifton r. Breckenridge, who holds
seat In Congress as Representative from the I'D
District of Arkansas by title which Is in dispute ana
now the subject Of investigation by inc hlecuoiS
Committee Of the House.
In the I'D District live several men who served
in the Union Army during the war and who receive
pensions on account of wounds received or disease con-
fracted in the service. One of these men Is Jonn
A. Williams who doing good service as captain
in the 2sth Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers when MI
Breckenridge a soldier in the keDei ARMY
Captain Wams's regiment served in Arkansas ana
was part of the command of 1900 men which, uhoer
General Prentiss repused with heavy loss the Kepc
General Holmes when with more thah Twice as
many men, he attacked Helena, on July a. 1868.
At the close of the var Captain Williams, VINO was
on staff duty at Pine Bluff, took up his residence
in that town, where he has lived since That Time
He Is a good citizen he faithful soldier but
alas no is also active Republican and has twice
been the nominee of his party for Congress sub
seouently he was elected the Office Of Circuit Judge
and according TO general report lie probably Will be
the Republican candidate for Congress against Breck
inridge in case the investigation now in progress
shall result in vacancy in the lid District. lie
and Breckenridge fellow townsmen. but Captain
Williams became a citizen of Arkansas five years
earlier than Breckenridge.
In 1856 the latter was the Democratic can
didate for reelection to Congress from
the I'D District and Williams, like good Repub-
llcan, doing all he could TO defeat him. few
weeks before the election and after the campaign had
become pretty hot, Candidate Breckenridge laid aside
the pressing duties of his canvass before the people
long enough to write the following pleasant letter:
Pine Bluf Ark, SEPT. IL, 1856
Gen. c. Black, Commissioner OF Pensions "sshihe'
ton D. c.
Dear Sir: l have reason to believe that have some
instances here gross that have been peeratod
upon the Government through your bureau before your
administration, and l with to unearth then' ana
these parties punished the law and the eVdcAc"
NAV require. Williams, OF this place, draws
pension am told, thirty odd dollars per month.
and got for arrears 900 He Judge advocate
under General Powell Clayton, and, think belonged to
Wisconsin regiment. He is OF perfect health and
has So all appearance my knowledge for SIN
years satisfied he never exposed himself Hnch
In battle.
named Beardsley here draws pension that
satisfied procured by fraud.
The same can be said Of named Mallory, recently
register receiver in the land oce at Camden There
may Others would be glad to have list Of those
in this community who draw pensions. would Ike TO
the papers. synopsis Of the papers in the cases
have cited.
haxa IN
here BY these ard Others the Government In this
way and that Of the men approached By this gang
declined 30 into it, The men have named are shrc"u
men. and Of some prominence. Williams has been
candidate for Congress, and il Circuit Judge HIS
character good something similar be said Of
others Last session effort was made 70 get bill
through House pension in sympathy with this
set 1t Was sent to me. j had known the man many
sickness and suspected wounds
/ surprised, but introduced the bill. Then looked
its face, but knew all
allegations OF sickness be false think the fraud
had been attempted your bureau will give you the
data upon my Washington, and you cannot
punish certain parties; II the meanwhile request yolr
attention cited, which presume can be traced
up from payments.
haven't exact data just now. Very respectfully
C. Il. PRECKINRIDGE, NJ. {.
The foregoing letter Will be read with special in
terest by every Union veteran especially by all who
live in Southern districts which represented in
Congress by Democrats. 1t appears that no official
seem also as II Brecknrdgc's zeal to expose fraud
and have it punished had evaporatcd. but that wa
not so. The zeal still possessed BrecknrdSe's
bosom, but. for some reason, 1t lay dormant until
aroused by appeal from a Union ex-sodicr IN
January, 1898, some sixteen months aferward. when
Representatives in Congress had begun to LOOK after
their fences. with view TO denomination and re-
election Here is copy Of the letter which spurrcd
the Arkansas statesman 10 new efforts
Linwood Jefferson County, Ark, Jan. II, 1888.
c. r. Breckinrdge NJ c.
Dear Sir: have now a pension in progress and
my last corioboiatlye evidence has just been MED l
think little your eloquence TIll greatly assist me by
your kind intcrccsson with the Conmission"r II you
will be Kind enough urge my aS thoroughly a.
you feel will confer lasting friendship beg u
remain sincerely WIN. APPERLY.
OF course, Union Veterans, especially those who
may be or become applicants for pensions. and who
may be fortunate as to live in districts which are
represented in Congress by Democrats will read with
deep interest, if unaffected delight, the com
ments which Mr.. Breckinridge wrote upon This letter
before he sent it to the Physical Wreck who then
presided the Pension Bureau. Here they are
General Black: This the picture Of health and
has been since 1 have known him, now eighteen years
believe his claim to be fraud. and you have several
frauds now drawing pensions OF the same cass-of IN
stance John A. Williams, Of Pine Blum, and General
samuel Mallory formerly OF Camden They are, and
have known them been for the past eighteen
most robust G. X. B..
NJ. C,
&C. r. b. was 50 earnest that he underscored the
word robust and his carnestncs seems to have been
contagious.
on January o6. 1898. Mr. AppcIy's letter. which
had been sent 10 the Pension Bureau bv &C. II. B.
two DAYS before was referred to the IS. F. Division
10 examine and report and within week that
division had with prasewOrthy promptitudc ground
preliminary grist in the form Of report signed by
enc "Thco smith. special examiner which reads as
follows:
Referring to thc Endorsement by the Hon C. II. BrecH
,nr,dge upon attached letter have the honor to report
that was Instructed 70 call UPON Mr. BrecEinrdec and
sk for additional enable the bureau 10 Identify thu
.,,s NJ Williams and Mallory. M Breckenridge tates
that John l.. Williams. OF Pine Blun Ark. and osnue
M,uorv formerly Camden. Ark. the persons re-
,e,red To that believes Williams was judge ad'oca
- ,.ooor,l Powell Caytons stan and that he from
wisconsin possibly originally in Wisconsin regiment
that Mallory was register OF general land oc
at Camden Ark during the last Administration "ou'