The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-12
FRAUDULENT PENSIONERS.
A Union Veteran InVeighS Against
UndeSeTVing Pension Drawers.

OHuCStlfllS ICnSlUH UidHtiS'
Large Sums Paid to Men Who Never
Left Their Own States - Some Re-
ceive Pay for Disability Who Are
Doing Hard Manual Labor-Two in
the Same Family-Pensions Granted
Without Reason or Justice.
Washington, July l1.-Much has been
said about the enormous size which the
pension list has attained, and many have
been the charges that have been made as
to the fraudulent character of the claims
that have been allowed by the republican
administration for the sake of winning
the soldier vote. Whenever a charge of
this sort has been made by a democrat,
the republicans in congress would set up
a howl about 'persecuting those who
saved the union and they would seek to
make it appear that any one who had the
temerity to question any claim that was
made, was an enemy to the old soldiers,
and in fact to the United States and to
all free institutions.
SOME WHO SEE THE TRUTH.
While the politicians and their friends,
the bounty jumpers howl as above men,
toned, and denounce everybody who does
not agree with them as traitors, there
are many Of the genuine defenders of the
union-men who went to the front and
stayed there; men who bore the brunt of
battle and the hardships of soldier life
for pure patriotism's sake; who know the
truth and do not hesitate to declare it.
lNl.sa .l,s..
sions deserve them, and that many who
are making tho largest demands on the
government now, were among the most
backward to do service when there was
danger, and when to be patriotic was TO
give ones life for the country.
AN INDIGNANT VETERAN.
The correspondent of the MORNING
NEWS has met one of the true veterans,
and interviewed him on the subject above
mentioned. He is one who enlisted early
and went through the war. He fought
for the union because he believed it was
his duty; and that he did faithful service
is attested by the wounds which he bears
in his body, and which will cause him to
60 manned through life. He now holds a
government position and for obvious rea-
sons | do not give his name.
FRAUDULENT PENSIONERS.
"What do you think" l asked him, "of
the statement made in President Cleve-
lands message, as to the large number of
fraudulent pensioners In the country"
"a think" he replied, that the Presi-
dent was not far from right. Every OBJ
serving citizen, whether he served in the
army or not, is well aware that in nearly
every community in the north one or
more of these fraudulent pensioners may
be found"
OF HIS OWN KNOWLEDGE
"Do you, of your own knowledge,
know of such casesl' l asked. Il do,
he replied; II know of many of them.
Here are a few sample cases in one dis
trict, and almost in the same neigh bor-
hood, and all are allowed pensions under
| the general law"
SAMPLE CASES.
81 will give YOU" continued the old vet,
'some of what call sample cases."
"a telegraph operator, who has had
charge of an Office on one of our leading
railroads for the past twentyfour years,
and is still so employed, and whose occu-
| patton necessitates his receiving mes
| sages by sound, was literally pensioned
several years ago for deafness. He re-
| ceived several hundred dollars back pen
! sion and some increases since. He en-
! listed near the close of the war, and re-
ceived a large bounty from town county,
s
far toward The front as Philadelphia
"A sewing machine and insurance
agent, who remained behind when his
company left for the front. was carried on
its rolls as absent without leave and
was finally dropped. He never left the
township In which he enlisted to Join his
company Only few years ago he made
application for an honorable discharge
from the service, something's he said
inc 70 laoN va lie chi ~ cha ~, bo
had answered when the union was in dan
ger and the government called for men,
He secured the discharge showing that he
was connected with the service Just
twenty-five days-and all that time he
was absent without leave, as / have just
stated. This thrifty patriot at once APP
piled for a bounty, back pay and a pen
sion, and secured each. He was pensioned
for paralysis at the rate of IS per month,
receiving something over 81 200 back
pension. He has an application on file for
an increase, and would like TO have it
made special.
CARPENTER AND A LABORER.
"a carpenter who enlisted on the 11th
day of April, 1865, receiving a large
bounty, was discharged at Elmira, N. Y,
on the I'd of the following month, because
of the close of the war, being connected
with the military service just twenty-five
Gays, ana EInllfd was as Idr as ne laQ
time to go southwark. This man was
placed on the pension rolls some twenty
six years afterward. because of chronic
diarrhea contracted during those twenty
two days, though he had never left the
state. His pension has been increased
from time to time, and now he rarely
loses a day from his work.
"A laborer who furnished affldavits to
the effect that he was unable to perform
any. manual labor has been for years
since receiving his pension, and is now
working in a tannery. He enlisted near
the close of the war, and it is unneces-
sary to say he received a large bounty
He saw no service in the field.
ANOTHER CASE.
another man, shortly after his pen
sion was granted for chronic diarrhea and
other troubles, made applicat ion for mem
bership in a wOrkman's organization; but
in order to do this medical testimony was
required to show that he was free from
disease and a sound man in every respect
1t is needless TO say that the certificate
was furnished him. He, like the others,
saw no service, and joined the army near
the close, receiving large bounty.
TWO IN THE SAME FAMILY.
"Then there is the case of well-to-do
farmer who draws an invalid pension on
his own account, while his wife receives
one as a dependent mother because Of the
death of her son years after his return