The National tribune., 1894-03-29
THE NEW YORK TIMEs,S SENSATION.

tended to do what THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE has been for years inviting
them to do; that is. to actually investi-
gate the pensioners within their reach,
and tell the actual facts concerning them.
The New York Times claims to have a
list of 5000 pensioners in New York
State, with their regiments, alleged dis
abilities, etc., and has had its reporters
investigating them at their homes, and
then with a great flourish of trumpets,
and a mass of sensational headlines, it
pretends to have proved the following
things:
First Men are drawing pensions under
the old laws for disabilities incurred in
the service and in the line OF duty" who
give no evidence of the existence of the dis
abilities alleged when they filed their claim.
They never existed, or they have ceased to
exist since the pension was granted.
Second. Men are drawing pensions under
the old laws for disabilities incurred in the
service" who were for 20 years after the
close of the war notably strong and able
bodied
Third. More than % per cent. of those
pensioners who draw under the old laws for
disabilities incurred in the service have been
granted increases during the last five years
Many Of the men who draw these increased
pensions are apparently no more disabled
now than they were five years ago. They
are doing the same work and getting the
same pay for it.
Fourth Many of those who draw the
max imum amount of S12 month under the
act of June a. 1890, for disabilities which, ac-
cOrdng to law, prevent them earning q
support at manual labor" are earning their
living at manual labor precisely as they have
been doing for the last % years.
Fifth. Many who have been for years idle,
loaiers, incorporate, and given to ali ex-
cesses, are drawing pensions under the act of
June 81, 1890, which provides that the IN
ability to earn a support shall not be the
result of their own vicious habits"
Sixth. In some cities the number OF pen
siOners who draw money from the Treasury
because of the act of June 81 1890, is nearly
as large as the number who draw under all
the laws enacted during the previous 25
years.
Seventh. There is machinery accessible TO
pension attorneys for procuring discharges
for men WHO left their companies and went
to Canada during the war. Dsserters are on
the pension-rolls.
Eighth Women are drawing widows pen
sions who have children born years since the
death of their husbands They have refused
to marry because their pension would then
cease.
Ninth. Many men who are rated the
wealthiest in the town where they live are
drawing pensions. In many instances they
were rich before they asked for pensions.
Tenth. In the majority OF instances the
men whose NAMES are improperly or fraud
ulently on the penson-rolls are honest and
free of any intention of taking dollar from
the Government TO which they are not en-
titled. They have been putin false posi-
ton by the pension sharks the men who
devote their energies I'd securing pensions at
all hazards, that they may fatten themselves
on the ices.
Eleventh. Machine politicians during Il e
last Administration used the Pension Office
for partisan purposes. They promised pen
siOns for votes, and in some eases delivered
the goods They have threatened the pen
sioner with the loss Of his pension if he
voted the Democratic ticket
Twelfth. The politicians and the pension
agents, rather than the pensioner, have
planned the rad on the Treasury. The
Pension Bureau has helped them execute
the raid.
Specific cases, illustrating each one of the
foregoing statements, will be given in detail
hereafter.
1t claims vehemently that it will give
"specific instances to prove every one
of these. From the awful laundering in
the index" we naturally expect that if
has discovered things that will simply
make the readers hair stand on end like
quilts on the fretful porcupine. How
we are disappointed!
The first place under investigation was
Ogdensburg, n. Y. and the first person
put under the Ines's search-light was
w. f., a musician in Co. G, 1920
n. Y" This man is a "cobbler by
trade, and works pretty steady, though
not strong man." He was injured in
a railroad wreck during the war, and is
beyond question entitled to some pen.
sion"
The next was " r. b. A., Corporal in
Co. G., oath Ny. Cav" He is barber
and also has book and notion store
and does a good business. until he
secured a pension he was supposed by
his neighbors and acquaintance to be
healthy man." Of course what his
neighbors and acquaintance supposed
weighs for more than what the Board
Of Examining Surgeons actually found
Next was IS. c., private, Co. K, 18th
n Y, granted pension in 1892 fol-
diseases of the liver and respiratory
organs" The particular charges against
him are that he has fine farm of 102
acres, which he manages himself, and j:
an enthusiastic hunter, with Partially