The National tribune., 1893-09-14

Many possibly a majority of the survivors of the
believed that the time had fully come when
the name Of every honoraby discharged survivor
should be placed upon the pension-roll Others,
denying the right that they should receive aught
from their country through the pension stouty
resisted his demand.
II was under such circumstances and dealing with
these conflicting opinions that Congress enacted
the disability pension law of June, 1880. This act
was accepted by the surviving soldiers and by the
people in general "A settlement OF the question.
Under the administration OF that law The poor
house gave up its veterans; he who had borne he
battle WAS cared for, and thus the sacred trust
cepted aud left as legacy TO the Nation was faith
fully administered.
Within a few months we hear with profound
sorrow and regret that all this must be changed;
that the construction of the law has been changed
and the regulations and rules in regard 10 proof
and ratings under which more than 800 coo claims
have been allowed and paid have been revoked
and another construction of the law has been esnb-
lished and new regulations FOR proof aud ratings
less favorable to claimants. have been adopted;
that Board OF Revision has been organize in the
Pension Office charged with the duty of revising
ali these adjudicaied claims in accordance with
this new construction and such changed regula-
tions as to proof and ratings Under these changes
thousands OF pensions have been suspended with
out notice. and thousands Of pensioners have been
dropped from the rolls. II Is claimed that sd-
iudication of a pension settles nothing; that the
Secretary of the Interior and Commissioner Of
Pensions are invested by law with absolute power
the pension ROLL and that it is within their
legal authority to reopen and revise pensions al
lowed 10y their predecessors under regulations
adopted by them, whenever they see fit to change
the rules of evidence and the scale OF ratings
under " hich the allowance was made; and this IN
q country of law where, from the very infancy of
the Government, the United States, by its organic
law, is in terms denied the right to deprive any
person OF property without due process of law,
notice, and an opportunity to be heard. and where
in every other relation and condition in life. fraud
is presumed but must be clearly proved,
and every person shall have the right 10 face his
sccuser. To emphasize the vieousness Of the situ-
alton and accusation, we learn that II is ssid,
though by authority. that lit is expected that any
pensioners summarize suspended
dropped viii be able to prove that they still
entitled to the pensions of which they have been
deprived; thus saying In no uncertain voice that
the burden IS not upon The parry alleging fraud
but tlgat The Government which they had preserved
shall first brand with inlsmy by the charge then
sentence. and after the stigma had been effective,
then concede to them, whose barriers aud support
of character have been thus undermined. the pitt
ful privilege of moving for trial upon the
ground of newIy-discuvered evidence; and this
not upon strangers, aliens. or foes, but upon our
own aesh and blood, comrades, the ssviors Of
the Nation. those who. in the language Of Lincoln
the immortal, have borne the battle.
We deny that the Secretary Of the Interior and
Commissioner Of Pensions have any such power.
We insist that the adjudicaiing divisions of the
Pension Office, acting under the direction and
super vision Of the Commissioner Of Pensions and
Secretary of the Interior, are tribunals established
by authority of law for the settlement OF pension
claims. and that their decisions entitled TO full
faith and credit, and cannot be legally impeached
when change Of Administration occurs. except
for fraud upon charges preferred aud evidence
sdduced in support thereof. We insist that when
changes made In the construction OF the law,
rules Of evidence and schedules Of rating unfavor-
able to claimants, they must and should be limited
in their operation TO the future work OF the Office
and the past An post facto reguslion is
pugnant 10 our sense Of justice ex-post facto
law. and we protest against the adoption and en-
forcement OF any such regulations In the matter OF
Therefore the Grand Army of the Republic I'm
National Eucampmeut assembled, speaking for
that great army OF beloved comrades, many Of
them too poor. bruised. too broken, TO with
stand the strong Of the Government when
administered with an unfrieDdy hand-proud of
the good name aud fair fame OF the American vol
unteer soldier-interested far beyond any other
person organization that the pension-roll shall
in truth aud n fact be, what il is ia theory roll of
honor, and mindful of its cardinal principle,
Ito preserve honor and purity in public affairs"
scouts aud denies these indscriminate charges of
universal fraud and resents the i'm puLstion that
because some unworthy survivors may be found
that discredit shall be cast upon the entire roll
aud this great body of brave and patriotic citi-
shall stand disgraced before tile country.
We demand that there shall be backward
step ia pension legislation or administration; that
pensioner shall be deprived OF his property
without due process OF law; that the presumption
shall be in favor of honesty and fair dealing that
the poor aud lowiy shall not be put to unneces-
ssry, expensive oppressive process TO pre-
serve their meager pitiances; that the sacred
trust ia favor of those who have borne the battle
shall be sacredly observed and sacrediy admins
tered, and we do now solemnly aud deliberately
resolve this:
The Grand Army Of the Republic looks with
sOlicitude not to say alarm, upon the proposition
that after sufficient tribunals have been established
by law before which questions have been pre-
senied and sdiudicsted, upon evidence submitted
and examined, and upon which grateful Nation
has accorded pensions in this their hour of need
10 those who in its hour of need stood between il
and death. the officers OF that Nation administer
ing public trust, have arbitrarily deprived. with
out notice or opportunity to be heard our needy
and distressed comrades OF the rights thus SOL
emniy adjudged aud confirmed to them.
We declare that every presumption should be
made in favor OF records so made; that pre-
sumption of fraud shall he induIged in against
them, and that no change be made iii the pensions
accorded until after charges have been made and
evidence in support thereof has been produced of
which charge each pensioner has had full notice
and full and complete opportunity TO be heard iii
/ support of the pension accorded to him.
ReSoiCed, That, as the Commissioner of Pensions
By his recent Withdrawals OF the obno xious rulings
| which have been generally condemned, has
| virtually acknowledged the incorrectness Of such
rulings deem II his further duty at onco re-
store the rolls the thousands of pensioners now
| standing illegally suspended.
An animated discussion followed in regard
/ to the status of the suspended pensioners the
/ sentiment of the Encampment being strongly
! in favor Of an additional resolution asking that
/ the suspended pensioners be al cnce restored.
A resolution 10 this effect. offered by Comrade
Besth and accepted by the committee, was
adopted by a rising vote, aud carried unani-
mousiy. The report WAS then adopted.
Comrades ClarksOn, Sample, aud Townsend
were appointed committee to carry The greet.