The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-21
A DEFENSE OF PENSIONERS.
General SiclSIes vigorously Denies
the Chnrge of NNhOlesaIe Frauds.

In the House of Representatives on Mon
day the emergency deficiency bill being un-
made an eloquent defense OF the veterans
General Sickles's remarks were construed
by the Republicans as an attack on the
Bureau, and they applauded him at every
opportunity. When he declared that no
party will long rule in this country. and no
ruler will possess or deserve the confidence
OF the American people who casts unmerlteo
stain upon the pension rolls OF the Nation
him.
General Sickles in opening his speech said
that he had not INTENDED 70 take any TYP part -
had not the attempt been made 10 make the
pension administration somewhat OF a par
tisan question. He then said:
II am not personally familiar with the
course of previous discussions in this House
upon this subject, but have been under the
impression-and ii has been a source OF In
finite pride and satisfaction TO me-that
the course OF legislation in Congress on tha
subject of pensions has not been marked by
partisan or sectional divisions. have been
glad TO see on the part of men who were
my adyeTsaries in the great conflict gem
erous and chivalrous disposition to accord
pensions to every worthy Union soldier, and
/ hope that disposition viii continue as long
as any of US on either side survive. i am
willing TO admit that any party IN this
country has a right to claim exclusive credit
for a desire to do justice TO the Union sol
der. Certainly so long as / have voice
to raise here or anywhere, my honorable
political adversaries on the other side shall
not have that privilege so Tar as am con-
cerned.
of this House on either side desires TO elm
mate from the pension rolls every name that
is not honorably there. l assume that the
officers of the government charged with the
execution OF the pension laws are DESTROYS
of performing their duty in order that no
name shall be placed there by them which
should not go there. l hope, sir, 10 see this
question If possible, kept out OF politics and
kept aloof from all sectionalism. The only
way TO do that is TO keep the pension roll
as il was designed TO be, a roll OF honor.
Now as to the general charge that the
pension list is hOneycOmbed with fraud-
with gigantic and wholesale frauds perTne-
ating It'll do not believe that statement
TO be true My intercourse with soldiers
who receive pensions, many thousands or
them IN my State, autnoIl@es me 70 IepeA
that charge as unfounded and unjust 20
them.
Here in this debate we have had cited to
us a number of prosecutions Instituted and
conducted during the fiscal year few over
one hundred. and the number OF convictions
seVenty-three out Of pension roll to-day
of 966.OO0 Compare that record with the
records of the courts of this land. and in
the records of these courts we VIII IND
thousands of cases where imputatiOns or
fraud have been cast over the administra-
Near me sits an honorable member Of
this House (Air- Black, of Illinois0 who
presided over the Pension Bureau for over
four years. L would like to ask him how
many of the cases he adjudicated, in which
he allowed pensions, were, in his judgment,
characterized by the stain Of fraud? L do
not believe that in his administration he
ever allowed one pension case TO pass his
hands without being thoroughly satisfied
that il was honestly deserved. Now, SIR,
in this Incidental debate on an appropria-
ton bill L do not care TO go extensively
shall have much to say upon 1t. To-day
content myself with repelling this imputa-
ton thus generally cast upon the good faith
and integrity of my comrades In arm&
do not believe 1t is true"