The National tribune., 1893-02-16

| ment. The 100000 pensioners now on the
roll did not constitute ousstwentieth of the vot-
ing and tax.paylng populition of the country,
and the others who hDresthe burdens OF the
systems were becoming dissatisfied and
discontented. They wouid not have the
name of one deserving soldier stricken from
the rolls, nor would they have his allowance
reduced one farthing. But they had right
to protest against being taxed to support
those who had no olaim on the gratitude
of the country. / have said that il, under our
pension system as it existed prior to 1890,
wrongs, injustice, and robbery were perpe-
trated, the fault WAS not in the laws but in the
administration of the laws. If men were borne
upon the rolls who ought not to have been, it
was not because of the law, but because OF
crimes against the law. If meritOrious soldiers
deserving pensions were denied justice it was
not the law which denied them-it was the ad-
ministration of the law. But this cannot be
| said of the system as it now exists.
The laws that have been enacted recently
are in and of themselves in a measure vicious
fraught with injustice, and the substantial
cause of much of the existing popular dis
content and dissatisfaction with the system.
/ do not believe that the law of June 81,
1890. should have been enacted. / do not
think there was any necessity to justify its
enactment or for any enactment then ex-
I that measure was vicious in it's principle and
| more vicious in its scope.
In conclusion, Mr.. Chairman, let me say
that no higher sentiments of patriotism to
my country or greater degree of respect,
kindness, sympathy or love for the true,
brave, heroic soldiers of the Union. my COM
rades, actuated me when together under that
flag stood upon the bloody fields of Fred
ericksburg, Charlottesville, and Gettysburg.
or suffered together in the prison pens of
Belle Isle, Andersonville, and Milan, or re-
joced with each other in the sunlight OF
final victory at Appomattox. than now actu-
ates me as | stand here, and in the name of
country and comrade, pleading for the honor
of both, beseech of this House patriotic con-
sideration of this problem. Prolonged ap-
plause.
REORGANIZATION OF EXAMINING BOARDS
Mr. Mutchler had letter read from Dr. In
graham, Medical Referee of the Pension Bu-
reau. regarding the committees proposition to
abolish local Boards of Examining Surgeons,
substituting in their place single Surgeon,
who is to be assisted by Surgeons detailed from
the Pension Bureau. The Medical Referee
recommends that the member of the board
from the Pension Bureau should not be con-
nected with any one board or series Of boards
in one locality, but should be under the con-
slant control of the Medical Referee, and be
directed to move from one board to another.
His route should be marked out, and he should
be followed in week or fortnight. as may be
necessary, by another Examining Surgeon, so
that the members from the Pension Bureau
would scarcely ever meet with the same board
successively and could not be objected to local
influences. The member of the board detailed
from the Pension Bureau should be the one
considered the most familiar with all the re-
quirements and consequently the one TO whom
all communications should be addressed. and
under whose direction the examinations should
be made. The Referee believes that the adop.
tion of this plan would give the work of the
Bureau a more business like character, and
would place the pension system where it will
be respected and will be above suspicion. He
believes that the compensation for Examiners
in the field should be not less than $4,000 per
year, in add ition to per diem and travelling ex-
penses.
MKINNEY OPPOSES THE AMENDMENTS.
Mr.. Mckinney IN. H., d. thought that no
doubt the decision Of the Interior Department
regarding the act of 1890 was wrong in its in
terpretation Of the law But that decision has
been reversed, and hereafter pensions will be
granted under that law OIL d different basis from
those heretofore granted. But ] am not here
for the purpose Of discussing general princi-
Piles the pension laws of our country, neither to
condemn them, but to say few words with re-
gard to this bill that has been presented to this
House by the Committee on Appropriations,
and the amendments that the committee have
given notice that they will offer to the bill
when the proper time arrives. 1t is impossible
under our system of Govern msnt ever to elimi-
nate politics from the administration Of any
department of the GeVarnment. Yet my friend
believes that if this Bureau is transferred to
the War Department and put in charge of the
Army, politics will be eliminated from the pen
sion system.
T poll hn ttcut IF fba IN of
/ believe to be fact, that instead of eliminating
politics from the pension administration of this
Government, you will simply bring politics in to
the Regular Army, and believe there is no true
citizen, no true representative of the American
people upon the floor of this House or any other
place III our country, who desires to introduce
political power into our standing Army.
Mr.. Mckinney then considered the amend
ment abolishing pension agencies and paying
pensions direct from the Treasury. He said
that there were now Is agents at salary
OF s. 600 year each. These agents employed
about 4S0 clerks. These clerks are employed
by the agents direct at salaries ranging from
$40 to $40 per month. They do not come un-
der the civil service law or the eight-bour law,
or the six hour law practiced in Washing.
ton, but sometimes worked Is and 1S hours per
day when necessity required to make pay
mcnts promptly. He did not believe the pro-
prosed change would lessen the expense but in
crease it, He thought that anyone who would
investigate this matter will conclude at once
that it is not matter of economy, but will in
crease the expense to the Government. and op-
crate greatly to the detriment of the veterans
who are drawing pensions. Let me call your
attention, gentlemen, to a fact. Of course you
all know that soldiers voucher cannot be
made out and signed until the day that the
pension is due.
IGNORANCE DISPLAYED REGARDING yoUCH-
ERs.
Mr.. Livingston (Ga., d.. Oh, the gentleman
is mistaken. Every single voucher can be
signed as it is now in the payment of coupons.
The name can be printed Oh the voucher, and
a million of them printed at one time, if neces-
sary.
Mr.. Mckinney. The law emphatically for
bids any voucher being made out until the 4th
day of the month on which the pension is due.
That is the requirement of the law am not
a lawyer, and do not like to dispute with law
yers OH a point of this kind. But | think l
know this to be a fact.
| shall oppose these amendments, first, be-
cause the Appropriations Committee have no
business with them. | shall oppose them, Sec
ondly, because | believe they are extravagant,
because think they will increase the amount
of the expenses of the Government in this hour,
when we, and especially the Democratic party,
must attempt to economize, and when the cry
Of economy is going up all over the country.
Let US look well to each case and not pass these
amendments; and ifthey become the law let it
be after the country f.LdJ the Congress has the
time for the consideration of these