Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-03-08

from Iowa tNlr Lacey, that there was "A
time when the boys were marching
through Georgia" but now is the time when
Georgia is marching through the boys.
Mr.. Chairman, what excuse is made for
this attack on the local boards And what
reasons are assigned for taking away their
power to rate
1t is said that the physicians composing
them are the acquaintance and neighbors,
and in many instances the family physicians
| of those whom they examine, and that this
| should disqualify them. On the contrary
these are the very reasons why they are best
qualified to Judge of the applicants disabil-
ity; the very reason why he cannot prac-
tice imposition or deceit; and any hint that
their acquaintance with the soldier would
induce favortism is unworthy of consdera-
ton; for are they not under oath like every
other officer of the government?
1t is also said that the physicians upon
these boards are not the equals of the medi
cal gentlemen in the office in intelligence
and professional attachments. Mr. Chair
man, | meet this charge with n flat denial
! The average character, professional and
| personal, of these local surgeons will not
suffer in comparison with the medical ca
aninerS in the bureau.
Such is the independent manhood and
/ such the professional succcSS Of the great
ma iority of these local surgeon, that they
! would not for moment think of descending
! to the mere clerica work Of the medical
force in the pension office, Tho suggestion
that lack of legal knowledge disqualifes the
| local surgeons is equally applicable to the
medical force in the bureau The law is be
fore them rs = guide, but the question Of
disability is not "A legal one. It is one of
| fact, resting wholly in physical and medical |
reasons.
But il is sai hat tho ratings of heSc To- |
cal boards are not uniform, and the ratings
in the bureau could be- made SO if it were not |
TO" those of the boards.
Mr.. Chairman, | think that is right They |
could and would be uniform according to |
the frozen atmosphere OF the pension bureau |
and what that means is, to some extent, |
shown by the figures already submitted.
Mr.. Chairman, what the right IF trial by |
jury was to the early Briton under the com
mon law. such are the local examining |
boards to the rights of the soldier under the
pension system He is far safer with them
even though composed, as under this admin
istration. in some instances of cx-conlcder-
atcs, than to he left to the tender mercies of
the pension bureau with the duty assigned it
of providing for large treasury deficiency, |
and insist that the prcrogative TO pass
judgment upon the disability of the appl-
cant, always till now exercised by them,
shall be restored.
! believe it to he for the interest of both
the soldier and the government, and when
the bill is read by paragraphs | shall move
an amendment TO the item appropriatmg for
the pay of these boards, that no money shall
be paid any board unless a rate of disability
be fixed by it and sent the pension office with
the report of every examination.
A,,.1 -
the act of June 81, 1890. upon which the
special enmity of the nulliicrs seems to be-
concentrated. This act granted pension
for mental and physical disability of per
mancnt character. not the result of vicious
habits. which incapacitates from manual
labor III such degree as TO render tie appli-
cant unable to earn n support.
~ similar act was vetoed by Mr.. Clcve-
land some two years before, but on the
above date this act of the DIST Congress. by
the approval of Benjamin Harrison, became
the law of the land.
Under all former laws pension had been
made to depend on a disability incurred in
the service i'll the line Of duty; and for such
disability saying nothing of special rates
SIS per month or less according to degree
was allowed. Under these laws u schedule
of rates had grown up in the Office having.
'N 49, Hi''H''' ~ NOHi |
missioner Black and once by Commissioner
Itaum, and thus made to reflect whatever
Oh WISDOM as 10 THESE ratings mad been sug-
eeS'eu ny long experience IN the Office
running through succeeding administrations.
W ith these ratings the whole pension force
is familiar: and though for A different dis (
abilities every ono in the office knows them
as he knows the alphabet.
III VIII he seen that the law of 1880 differs
: 'i'' i0' ''ioi ~" '"uci NhIch lhcse ratings
nave been established only III this The dis |
ability. a disability incapacitating for man I
nal labor no motter how incur,nd a1cant |
.I,,, ;;..., - ' ~ Nv
WI O"Sh Nici'"s HaoitA, chlllleS 10 pension
but not more than Sl2 per month instead |,
of SIS and not less than S6 instead of 81 |
A. ,u,do,. ,Lo' ,ll L.. " ,, 81 - }
a. u'iNVi ,hc oii Jaw ->o"i WHO lalls 10 see
that IN TINS Old schedule exists Just as per |
feet system of ratings for the net of 1SgO !
nc for OH o+l,o. o+, ,,'.,,;I,, ~ t;I,I;.;
- 'Oi o. ''n'' avs n oNiucu All disabilities
above 81 are rated at that sum, because
the law stoDs there. and nrovided also rho