The National tribune., 1897-07-08
CRUElTIES IN PRACTICE.
Devious Ways by Which an Applicant
May Not Get a Pension.

EDfroR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In civil
courts q man may be witness in his own be-
half, and if of good repute, and nothing ad-
verse appears, his testimony may decide the
case in his own favor. Not SO in the pension
practice of the last four yesrs, which practice
will continue to rule until Commissioner
Evans gets his hand in, and finds ways to as
certain and correct the many cruelties.
In pension practice, no matter how good
claimants reputation is ut home, he appears
before tho Bureau without character or reputa-
ton. His statements prove nothing, and will
not be allowed even as connecting links In
testimony. For instance, he alleges in his
sworn statement that at such period, at such
. hospital he was treated for measles which
resulted in consumption. Tho records OF the
War Department show that be was In that
hospital at that PERIOD but tho hospital records.
as in many thousands Of other cases, report
"no diagnosis" He can find no witness. His
claim il rejected.
Again, he alleges right oblique hernia, in
Cured at such date. at such place, In Ger.
tain line of dnty. The report Of the War De-
partment confirms his declaration In every
particular, as to time. place, and line OF duty,
but simply states "hernia." He can find no
witness after sll these years who have hardi.
hood to swear positively that it was right
hernia. So his claim 10 rejected.
In civil or criminal courts, one mans testi-
mony, If he be of good repute and uncontra-
dicted, will acquit or hang man. In pension
practice no one mans testimony will be ac-
copied as conclusive, unless he was, or is, q
commissioned officer. The claim may depend
entirely on one mans evidence, and the Post
master may rate him Excellent" one Of our
best and leading citizens" Yet the answer to
the claimant is:- Rejected; no satisfactory
evidence"
The affidavit of witness as to both origin
in service and disability since discharge will
not be accepted as proof of both "origin" and
continuance" In regard to one point he is
practically rated reliable" and the other
"unrelable.' On one point he is honest and
intelligent; on the other he is q fool or per-
jurer. If two witnesses testify on both points
they must divide them in some way; accept
both of them as proving "origin," in which
case the poor claimant loses his claim because
of no proof of continuance of disability since
discharge; or reverse it, and he has proof
of "origin." Divide it in another way, and
he loses his claim because of insufficient evil
dence, having but one witness each as to
"orign and "continuance." The cruelty OF
this is only shaded by its asinine foolishness.
If in the report from the WAR Department.
there is the least shadow against the claimant,
that kills his claim. Yet very often, when
that report states that the disability occurred
in line of duty. he is required to prove that
line of duty. Every possible doubt has been
decided against the soldier. 1t Is on file that
chief witness was declared by Harrison
Postmaster to be reliable. Later Cleveland
Postmaster said: 50 If had been business with
| him l would watch him very closely" That
killed the claim, as it may Leave the applicant
| with but one witness to origin" unless, as Is
often impossible, he can furnish another wit
ness who can swear to the alleged facts.
| At much expense of time and money the
| Army and Navy Survivors Division has col
lected the postoffice addresses of over million
soldiers. The object Of its creation was to
| enable claimants to find the addresses oil
needed witnesses; but If claimant cannot
recall comrades name, thst Division will not
send his address. It may be . widow com.
| pletiug her husbands claim. and she may state
| her inability to give the names OF his COM
| rades, but the cruel answer Is: No names
| furnished no addresses given"
| In 1890 claimant was pensioned under the
| act of June "a, 1890, at $12 per month. In 1896
| IL was unearthed that the Magistrate before
whom he executed his papers was not prop.
erly qualified officer at that time. and as nc
rights could stand in an invalid declaration
his name was dropped from the rolls. There
was no suspicion of fraud upon the part of the
claimant, and his claim was undeniably good
| as the officer informed him that if he would
| file valid declaration his claim would be ad.
| mitted, but no pension money could be paid
| him until the Government was recoupsd fol
| the six years. pension money that had been
enormously paid him. A gloomy prospect fol
9 man Of 65.-H., Washington, D. G.