The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-03
rs THEY VIEW 1T.
Veterans Opinions Of the Pension
Question.
Too Much Evidence Required.

Too Much Evidence Required.
Charles II. Jackson. Cos. and b, LIST Mich.
Cav, Tiffin. o., thinks there can be very few
pension frauds if every veteran was called
upon to furnish "a much evidence as was re-
quired to get his claim allowed. Comrade
Jackson had a hospital record for a severe
gunshot wound and n good service record
also. This was not sufficient and he was re-
quired to furnish a1idavits from 26 officers
and comrades and three reputable physicians.
After two years he was allowed 81 per month,
or ST per month for each gunshot wound.
Now by special act of Congress he is receiving
So per month. lie says he has not been able
to work day since March II last.
Plan for Payment.
Oswald F. Glen, Co +, 1l5th y. Y. Blau-
velt n. Y, would have the Government pay
all pensions 90 years in advance, by issuing
notes in small denominations to be legal
tender in payment for all debts. He would
have property purchased with these notes
exempt from all taxes except school and road
taxes When these notes are received by the
Government in payment of customs they are
to tie cancelled and destroyed Comrade
Glen believes that this scheme would put into
circulation many hundred millions of dollars
and result in great business revival.
WOulu frOve wise
T. NJ Robertson, Brazil Ind, writes:
1.-The wholesale charges which are being so
loudly trumpeted in these days seem to ME to
be quite out of place under the present state
of things. We have good soldier in the
Presidential chair, and n Congress that is
certainly not adverse to the best interests Of
the old veterans. / have wondered if the
howl against pension frauds might not be in
fan6al IN hnyn ito affaet (npnraSS and
prevent any further pension legislation and
indefinitely postpone the passage of Service
Pension BILL
In regard to publishing the roll OF pen
sioners /. for one, have no objection to inter-
pose. While it certainly would be a useless
and at the same time an expensive under
taking, yet no true soldier and honest pen
sOner would object to it; but if it is proposed
to specifically mention nature Of wounds,
etc, then every dictate of delicacy and pro-
priety would protest against it."
Good Citizens Will Understand.
J. w. Bricker Smithville, o., writes:
This cry of fraud strikes at almost every
Magistrate, and many court officers In the
country, at least of the Northern and West
ern States; for every Magistrate who ac-
knowledges an affidavit or other paper in a
tify to the credibility of the affiant. Are all
these Justices, Notaries, Judges and Clerks
of Courts scoundrels and liars? But to be
still more certain that claimants and wit
nesses are of good character and credible, the
Government has for years made practice Of
inauIring as to the credibility and character
! of witnesses through other sources, such rs
Postmasters, by private agents and the like.
And all these various sources of information
are so many springs of falsehood and perjury,
are they? Monstrous The people of the
United States know who are the liars-nOt
their honored neiehbors, the pensiOned sol
diers"
Not the Applicants Fault.
d. d. Rose, Valasco, Tex. writes: "That
the veterans renewing their applications time
after time only shows that they feel they
have been unjustly dealt with by the officers
of the Government they preserved. Often.
when application is made on two or more
disabilities, and each thoroughly proved ,
pension is allowed on but one. To secure
Justice the veteran must make new applica-
ton, 20 over the same proof, and the attorney
get a new fee. Often, too, when case is
well proved, the Examiners in the Pension
Bureau treat the sequeal of the disability as
new disabilities, require new application,
new proof, and again robbing the applicant
Of further fees"
Need for Attorneys.
"Veteran " writes "The Pension Bureau
practice is so hedged about with technically
that most Of the pensioners and those still
entitled to pensions do not understand the
laws or the requirements, and would not be
able to make an application, so must employ
some one to do IL A thief might obtain q
soldiers voucher wrOngfully and forge his
name, but it ought not to cost an extraOrdi-
nary sum to detect and bring him to justice;
nor should the fact of his fraud serve to cast
disgrace upon the survivors OF those who
fought to overthrow Secession"
Stand by The National Tribune.
s. c. Ilgenfritz, York, Pa, says that the
soldier who does not stand with THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE in this crisis so vital to
every true soldier, not only does himself in
justice and injury, but plays into the hands
of an enemy worse than the enemy in gray
ever was. Says he: ''You never could have