The National tribune., 1897-01-14
THE PENSION EXAMINERS.

THE PENSION EXAMINERS.
Much interest is excited in Washing
ton, as well as all over the country, by
the belief that President Cleveland will,
before his term expires, issue an order
placing the Boards of Pension Examin-
ers under the protection of the civil
Service law.
1t is held by those who claim to know
that this has already been done by Sec
rotary Francis action in reporting them
as coming under the following clause OF
Paragraph b, Section 2, Rule III OF
Civil Service Regulations, approved
Nov. 9, 1896:
Who are serving in the capacity of physi-
clan, hospital steward, nurse, or whose du-
ties are of medical nature.
IF this is the case, it is an outrage
upon the principles of true Civil Serv-
ice.
When President Cleveland came into
Office he found the Boards of Examining
Surgeons all over the country made up
in a non partisan way-of two Republi-
cans and one Democrat in each County.
These were, as a rule, physicians of ma
ture years. experience, and practice, a
preference being generally given to those
who had served in the army, both be-
cause of the preference for veterans and
on account of their greater experience
with and knowledge of the ailments and
disabilities of soldiers and sailors.
This system was rapidly changed.
Positions on the Boards were profitable
plums with which to reward young doc
tors whose lack of patients left them
much time to devote to political work.
The revolution was made SO complete
that Representative Milliken stated on
the floor of the House that there was not
a single Republican Examining Surgeon
left in the State of Maine, and Gen.
Grosyenor said that in the 46 Counties
in Ohio, of which he had knowledge, but
three Republicans were left, in total of
1873. Other Representatives bore similar
testimony as to what had been done in
their States.
The veterans who had to appear be-
fore these Boards have complained
loudly and justly that they were ex-
amined by youngsters without knowledge
or experience, who were unable to under
stand their troubles and the causes, and
who were imbued with distinct hos
tility to them. In very many instances
ex-rebels were appointed to Boards.
The compensation made these places
more desirable in many places than post
Offices. The Boards are allowed So for
each case examined up 20 in one day.
If more than 20 presented themselves
they were examined the next day at 81
each. The wholesale denominations
ordered by Commissioner Lochren gave
these Boards land Office business -
and substantial incomes to all the mem
bers. Lochren wanted Congress to give
him 100000 year to pay these, but
Congress cut the sum in two, and last
year appropriated 100000. This year
year Commissioner Murphy asked fol
$4,000.
Now President Cleveland wants to per.
manently fasten this viciously-partisan
crowd on the old soldiers and the coun
try. He wants to give them a life
tenure of their fat fees and their oppor.
tunities to afflict the veterans
The thought is intolerable. The
veterans and veterans sons who voted
for Maj. Mckinley will not endure it.
1t is well enough to put these Boards
under Civil Service, but it must not b.
until they are entirely reorganized il
the interests of justice and veterans
rights, and made thoroughly non-parti
san. The old system should be returned
to of having two Republicans and ONT
Democrat on the Board under a Re
publican Administration, and vice persa
Army Surgeons should be preferred fo1
appointment. Nothing less than thi
will content the veterans, and they vii