The National tribune., 1902-03-13
INJUSTICE OF THE PENSION OFFICE"

INJUSTICE OF THE PENSION OFFICE
The noisy pretense of the Commissioner
of Penions during his five years of office
that he was doing marvellous things in the
way of executing the pension laws and
was only assailed by the pension sharks
and Treasury looters' is suffering total
wreck by the evidence that is piling up
everywhere against him. The facts are
becoming so apparent as to silence even
his bluster and effrontery. All his old
defenders and apologists are turning
against him. No one seems to want to
be on his side any more. Take for exam,
pie the following debate in the House OF
Representatives Feb. 2S on the bill to al
low an increase of pension to VIM. j
Oyerman. Co. A, 3Sth Ind:
Mr.. Gaines of Tennessee-My query is
this: Why does the gentleman report for
an increase of pension in this case? All
of these claims, so far, | believe this
morning have been for the increase of
pensions. Now. this is an increase from
S24 TO $50. Why do you want to increase
this pension?
Mr.. Sulloway-This soldier is pensioned
at ST. a month. and if the gentleman win
look at the export he will find that exam
nations have been held, and the Exam
lining Surgeons recommend that he be pen
stoned at a much larger sum.
Mr.. Gaines of Tennessee-Why?
Mr.. Sulloway-Because of his disabili-
ties.
Mr. Holliday-My secretary. / will say
to the gentleman from Tennessee, made a
mistake in drafting this bill | directed
him to put it at $40, and he put it at only
$24.
Mr. Gaines of Tennessee-Why does
the bill call for S2i This is an increase
Mr.. Sulloway-The original bill calls
for S24. but the amendment recommended
by the committee is $50. He is rated for
gunshot wound of the wrist at $50.
Mr.. Gaines of Tennessee-Whata are his
physical disabilities?
Mr.. Sulloway-Total wreck.
Mr.. Holliday-A total wreck. and 1
know it of my own personal knowledge.
Mr.. Gaines of Tennessee-Now. as l
say, these bills are all for an increase of
pension. What is the gentleman's idea
about having a general law to pension sol
diers of the civil war, instead of having
from day to day these special bills to in
crease pensions? l would like to ask the
gentleman why there is so much of that
kind of legislation?
Mr.. Sulloway-Simply because they do
not get justice at the Pension Bureau.
Mr.. Gaines of Tennessee-The gentle
man arraigns the Pension Bureau.
Mr. Sulloway-Well, an injustice is
done the soldier on the records at the Pen
sion Bureau.
Mr. Gaines of Tennessee-Then. that
rule applies to all the cases reported here
this morning?
Mr. Sulloway-I do not remember
whether all the cases that have been taken
up this morning are for increase but
think they are mostly for an increase.
Mr.. Gaines of Tennessee-Mr. Chair
man, / have had very frank and salts
factory explanation from the gentleman
from New Hampshire. l asked him why
there are so many bills reported here for
of pensions, and the gentleman
from New Hampshire (Mr. Sulloway1
frankly states that it is simply because
''they do not get justice at the Pension
Bureau" | want the House to understand
fully this frank statement of the Chair
man who reports this bill and these other
bills. / want the House to know how
be says our pension laws are being admin
stered at the Pension Bureau. He in eff
feet says that Congress is appealed to to
overrule the Pension Commissioner on the
facts. The vital question is, Who is right,
The Commissioner of Pensions or Con-
gress?
The House answered Mr.. Gaines's in
luiry by voting that the Commissioner
was wrong, for the amendments were
adopted.
We do not recall that, since President
Johnson's time, any public official has been
so often and so specifically condemned as
Mr.. Evans. In this instance the Chair
man of the Committee on Invalid Pen
;ions-the committee having direct rela-
ions with the Pension Bureau, and SUI
Dervision Of it-declared specifically that
claimants 'do not get justice from the
Pension Bureau" and the House sus-
-ained his declaration.