smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

vi Che bureau dOeS not consclentlOusly believe
that the Government turns on him as it's con
trolling axle, and that his disappearance from life,
natural or official, would unhinge the whole
fabric OF the nation, and let anarchy run riot.


50 we read all official communications with
this toreknowledge, that they must by necessity
be dogmatic and imperious, and undertake their
criticism expecting that, in the eyes of the Off
cial, criticism is impiety and dissent is heresy


In the light of these frank avowals, of these
declarations of ours, let us deal gently, but
firmly, with the extraordinary letter of Com
missioner Bentley


Passing for the present the pages of statistics
and general remarks which succeed only in
showing that the Pension Office in years past
allowed very much larger number of claims,
with very much smaller force than they have
done IN late years-let us come to the real
trouble and grievance which is the burden of
his soul


lie says "The duties pertaining to the set
tlement of claims partake largely of judicial
nature"


This, however, is no novelty. 1t has been so
from the beginning. Every claim rests upon
evidence, and he who has to pass upon evidence
does necessarily perform an act of a judicial ma
ture 1t is not more judicial now that it was
IN 1S62-precisely the same class of evidence
required then, or produced then is required and
produced now and, In so far as the cases are of
the same nature, there is not one whit more
of difficulty in deciding than there always has
been.


The judicial nature of the duty is the same


1t is true-and that, we suppose, the Commits
missioner meant to say-that the cases now pre-
sented are not so simple as the mass of those of
years back. The gunshot wounds, the direct
and immediate injuries received in war, are very
largely disposed of, though many of these are
coming forward every day


But the larger number now presented are for
disease or disability consequent upon injuries
and exposures, and which have grown into ag-
gravated form in the lapse of years.


Yet these, like the Others. are to be proved
and proved by evidence under and within the
law.


Now, the Commissioner and his Bureau are
constituted by the law to hear and determine
these cases upon such evidence as the laws de-
clare to be sufficient And if a case is proven
up by testimony in the form and to the extent
provided by law, the Commissioners duty is
clear to decide in favor of the claim.


But listen to his notions upon this question:


The officer who is charged with the duty of
admitting or rejecting the claims must be co,,-
Waced by this proof either that the claim is lust
or that it is without merit; and the difficulty
now experienced by the persons. charged with
the settlement of the claims which have accu.
mulated and those which are now being filed is
that hey canaot bring Themselves 10 beljeue the testi
moay 'ohich is ofer5d.


This is the most novel example on record of
'"dlc'al discretion. A Judge is ordered by law
to hear case on certain prescribed testimony.
The testimony prescribed by the law is intro
iuced, is complete in itself, is connected and CO. }
Year: 1878

1t is the old principle Of arbitrary discrimina-
ton 1t is the old formula of the tyrant, "Stet
pro rattone 0oluntas"


If Mr.. Commissioner Bentley has settled him
self INTO such frame of mind that he cannot
honestly hear and fairly and impartially decide
questions on testimony, the sooner he retires
from his ''Judicjat position " the better; for he
has lost the first and most essential attribute of
a judge, which is impartiality


But even in this sentence in which he de-
cares his unfitness to decide fairly upon evi
dence, he cannot rest without giving the coloI
OF his own perverted imagination to the parties
claimant, to the witnesses and their ATTORNEYS.
and to the evidence:


1t is exclusively er pate, given by wit
nesses unknown to them, whose affidavits are
almost universally prepared by claim agents.
who can receive no compensation for their SER
vices unless the claim is allowed, and many of
Whom have been detected In attempting to de-
fraud both the Government and their clients
thus subjecting themselves as a class to a meas
ure of suspicion


lhe testimony is not exclusively er parte
IN any instance, and the Commissioner knows
It. The great facts of enlistment and discharge
are not +" er parte = they are record evidence.
kept by the Government


The fact of wounds or disease is frequently a
matter of record by treatment in hospital. The
cause of discharge is generally stated in the dis
charge itself


The things which are in parol proof" er parte"
are matters connecting the present situation of
the claimant Wit Tho o4,o;a1 ,uaol
taching the existing disability to the cause.
And unless the United States choose to provide
court, and require trial, as in case at law. in
all pension claims, the evidence must necessa-
rily be ''er parte


The improper and indecent slur cast bv the
Commissioner upon the whole body of attorneys
and claim agents is wholly ndefensible on any
known principles of truth and fair dealing, and
simply shows the spirit of partiality with which
he is unfortunately possessed.


There are good men claim agents and there are
bad ones, just as there are good Commissioners
OF Pensions and bad ones-just as there are
good and bad men in all walks and avocations
OF life But the fling of this official at whole
body and class of men is an act unworthy of
himself and his position


Did he ever know an affidavit in any court
that was not prepared by some one Did he
ever hear that it was a disgracefu act in the
profession to prepare an affidavit TO be sworn to
by client for use in a court?


But thsse " claim agents or pension attor-
neys ''can receive no compensation except in case
Of success" " This again is provision of law
binding upon all parties and it is not difficult
to show that it is a wise provision and in the
interest both of the Government and the claim
ant


What is the effect Anattorney engaged in
.he prosecution Of pension claims is supposed to
know the law and the rules and practice of the
tension Office. He receives vague application
~ letter from some one who believes bi,nsalf ~,
Year: 1878

Which also being interpreted means that this
man, whose mind is gone, shall recall the hor-
rors OF his prison-house and find, if he can. two
men there who knew him and can testify to a
tact which Is already overwhelmingly in proof,
by testimony of his condition before and his
condition Immediately after his incarceration


1t Is possible his friends may find such testi-
mony, but it is cruelty to demand it, when the
facts are already apparent, and nothing is in the
way but an arbitrary ruling of the office


Ii such simple, technical rulings are to pre-
vail in this office, it is no wonder that vast
mass OF claims are suspended and that the Com
mittees on Pensions are flooded with matter
which ought to be decided favorablv bv the
Commissioners
Year: 1878

National Associated Press to the Star.


NEW YORK, Dec. 6.-At meeting of the
Medico Legal Society last evening, DR..
Leo said it is marvellous that infanticide in
New York ranks far ahead of the cities of
the old world.


The statistics from the Coroner's office
show that i'll 1873 there were 113 cases of
infanticide in this city; in 1874, 112; in
1875, 1902; 1876, 101; and in 1877 SO. 1t is
generally believed too that this list does
not represent more than one-ffth of the
actual number, and the need for more strin-
gent legislation is apparent.


In the discussion which followed it was
urged that the society use every means in
its power to break up the business of ply
scians guilty OF criminal malpractice, and
to secure the better enactment of laws in
regard to infanticide.


The difficulty with the framing and ex-
ecuting laws on the subject was that it was
almost impossible to prove from examina-
ton whether a child was born alive or not.


The crime isranked among the fashionable
practices of the day. Another cause of
death to infants is opium, or some narcotic
which is given to the babe by its beggal
parent to excite pity in the passer-by for
the little one asleep. One case has fallen
under my observation in which the babes
brain was congested from opium which had
been given it,
Year: 1878

National Associated Press to the Star


JERSEY CITY, N. j., Dec. 6.-Orville Grant,
the Ex-President's brother, was released
from the Lunatic Asylum at Morris Plains
yesterday, and was accompanied to his
home at Elizabeth by his son. He is far
from being entirely sound in mind, but it
is thought that the care and quiet of his
home and the tender ministrations of his
wife and mother may secure his complete
mental health.
Year: 1878

Special to the Star.


CINCINNATIANs AT THE CAPITAL.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 6-Postmaster Loge
and party express themselves as very we'll
pleased at their interviews with the Presi-
dent, the First Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral and the others whom they met in the
fair. A spirit of reconciliation and general
pacifcation prevailed, and the people who
desired to give the troubled waters another
stir met with no encouragement.


Loge will return solid with the President,
and the Department will make such
changes as have been agreed upon, looking
to The improvement OF the service, and
Capt Hunt will be given an opportunity to
return 10 his old position if he desires.
The oil was scattered over the troubled
waters principally by Hon. Henry Kessler.


Ex-Collector Weitzel has made his final
settlement with the Government and has
as clean record as the Department can
give


THE TRADE DOLLAR LEGISLATION.


Three members of the House Banking
and Currency Committee are of the opin-
ion that there will be no legislation on the
trade dollar at this session of Congress, al
though quite number of bills have been
introduced regarding that coin. In the
first place the Committee is divided on the
question: and will, therefore, not be able to
agree upon any bill till after the holidays
at the soonest. The Appropriation Com
mittee will, as soon as the holidays are
over, have all the appropriation bills before
the House, and these will occupy the time
till the 1st of February, preventing call of
Committees for reports. Even should there
be a call of the Committees, which is held
only on Mondays during the first hour,
the Banking and Currency Committee,
which is far down on the list as the call
rests from the last session, would not be
called on before the 4th of March, the day
for adjournment.


SUPERVISING ARCHITECT HILL.
Secretary Sherman is very much morti-
fled over the suspension of Supervising
Architect Hill, which was caused by the
peremptory order of the President to the
Secretary. From the beginning of the fight
carried on by VIM. Henry Smith, of Chi
cago, against the Supervising Architects
Department, especially against its head,
Secretary Sherman has stood by Hill, and
the President has been the friend of VIM.
Henry Smith. Recently, when the indict-
ments were returned by the Chicago Grand
Jury against Hill and others for Custom
house frauds, Secretary Sherman informed
Hill that he would not be suspended, ex-
cept for the time actually consumed by the
trial in Court, and if acquitted he should
be Immediately reinstated. Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Thompson, of Chicago, ar
rived here few days since, and it is un-
derstood that the evidence which he sub
mitted TO the President caused the latter
to issue the peremptory order suspending
Hill.
Year: 1878

Gov. DENNIsON's Son DANGEROUSLY ILL.,
a private note from Governor Dennison to a
friend in this city, dated yesterday, states
that his youngest son perry is very ill with
Inflammation of the brain, and but little
hopes are entertained of his recovery The
lad is general favOrIte with the friends of
the family, is about II years of age, and it is
probable the visit of the Governor will be
prOtracted by the unexpected turn in the dis
ease, which was at first reported as malarial
fever.
Year: 1878

COMMISSIONER BRYAN AND THE NEW DIS
TRICT GOVERNMENTAL has been known for
some time to the intimate friends of Commits
sioner Bryan that he had declared, both YER
bally and in writing, his absolute unwilling
ness to accept a COmmissionership under the
proposed new government. We learn that he
is preparing to resume his profession immedi-
ately upon the new bill going into effect, and,
therefore, the many applications now being
made to Mr Bryan for appointment to the
boards under the new Commissioners are in
vain, as under no circumstances will he be a
Commissioner OF have a voice in those ap-
pOintmentS.
Year: 1878

PRACTICAL RESUMPTION. - The Canadian
commissioner of customs has given notice that
in consequence OF the near approximation of
gold, silver and paper currency, no discounts
will hereafter be made on American invoices
until further notice
Year: 1878

IHE POTTER INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
Up to half past two O'Clock the Potter investi.
eating committee had not met. their presence
being required in the House, owing to the
close party vote on the adjournment resOlu-
tion. 1t has been however decided to conduct
the investigation with closed doors, and send
sub committees to Florida and louisiana 1t
is thought that no testimony will be taken in
this city until the return of the perambulating
subcommittee.
Year: 1878

ONLY S13,00O,OO0 is asked for by the sup.
porters of the latest proposed Pacific railroad.
Memphis is to be the eastern terminus of the
road-and the western terminus will depend
upon how long the appropriation holds out.
The Texans think they would rather have a
railroad than war with Mexico; but one OF
the two they must have.
Year: 1878

We do not read anonymous etters and communi
cations The name and address of the writer are in
all cases indispensable, not necessarily for publication
but as guaranty of good faith


We cannot undertake to return or preserve COM
munications that are not used,
Year: 1878

IT seems that the income tax is to be re-
imposed so that some of the burdens may be
taken off those two great Southern staples,
whiskey and tobacco. Naturally enough the
project has the sympathy of the Northern
Democrats.
Year: 1878

THE representative OF the King of tie Sa-
moan Islands has had an interview with Sec
retary Evalts in which he besought the Unit
ed States to establish protectorate over the
islands. The subject will be considered at
the next cabinet meeting. 1t might be we'll
at the same meeting to take into considera-
tion the protection of white and colored Re-
publicans in the South.
Year: 1878

ference inevitable. The increase is not
merely absolute but also in ratio. England
and Wales show one insane to every three
hundred and seventy-three of the popu-
lation. The State of Massachusetts re.
ports one to every four hundred and
twenty-three, New York one to five hun
dred and eighty-seven, Illinois enc to
eight hundred and sxty-six, and iowa
one to eleven hundred and one. While
it has been said that solitary life predis-
posed people to mental unsoundness, it
seems on the other hand that the density
of population, beyond certain limit,
produces similar results though by diff
ferent processes. Increase of popula-
ton brings with it overcrowding, and
affects the sanitary arrangement Of large
towns to the hurt of those who reside in
them. Among the causes that produce
insanity, brain work has received to
much prominence in popular belief.


Those engaged in manual labor seem
quite as much disposed to unsettlement
IF reason as those who work with their
heads. While over-study in youth and
excessive mental labor in after life have
some influence on the causation of in
sanity, vicious habits and animal pleas
ures have considerably more. A mans
brain will stand great deal of normal
exercise, but are very susceptible to the
action of artificial stimuli.
Year: 1878

NoBELING, the man who attempted to
assassinate the Emperor William, is de-
scribed by an English writer as having
been very clever, but a very disrepu-
table boy at scho". He was selfish,
mean, and cowardly. He thought OF
nothing but the acquisition of money
and power, and used openly to aver that
these were the only things worth having.
His schoolfellows knew him to be clever
but his teachers could make nothing of
him. They set him down as narrow
minded, obstinate, and muddle headed,
and unable to understand more than one
side of any question. His two dis
tinguishing passions were love of no
toriety and a craving for the possession
of destructive weapons.
Year: 1878

EVERY time the Gar announces his
intention of visiting barracks, that place
Immediately becomes show. When he
went TO Odessa the Colonel in command
spent several thousand roubles in max
ing his and their quarters presentable.
For three days the soldiers lived, had
good clothes, fine dinners, and clean
rugs to lie on. No wonder their loyalty
was pleasantly stimulated toward the
sovereign, whose presence brought such
luxury; but as soon as he had turned
his back, things relapsed into their old
condition, which is one of squalor. The
money set down for the keeping of a
regiment is simply sufficient if applied
TO that purpose, but large part of it i.
stolen by those who handle it.
Year: 1878

LAST year country editor offered
his paper one year for the largest water
melon. Tue offer has not been repeated
this season. Instead of doubling up
his subscription list by the grand
scheme, the melons did nothing but
double up the editor.
Year: 1878

AN Indiana man refused to stop the
second time al Dubuque hotel because
the rooms were notfurnished with tooth
brushes. Some caravapsaries do pay too
much attention to style and not enough
to the masticating department.
Year: 1878

1t happened in this wise: They
were coming off the steamer across
the plank together. She was
afraid the plank would ii p and
she should fall. He said, "Never
fear. In that. case we shall die
together She looked into his
face. and said, If it's all the same
to Providence, [ should much pre-
fer to live together And the
next week the knot was tied.
Year: 1878

In certain farm. house twenty
years ago q great blank book was
kept and labeled Home Journal.
Every hight some one made an entry
in it. Father set down the sale OF
the calves, or mother the cut of ba-
by's eye-to0th; or, perhaps, Jenny
wrote a full account of the sleighing
party last night; or Bob the proceed
ings Of the Phi Beta club; or Tom
scrawled Tried my new gun. Bully.
Shot into the fence and hit Johnson's
old cat"


On toward the middle of the book
there was entry of Jenny's marriage,
and one OF the younger girls had ad-
ded description Of the brides maids
dresses. and long afterward there
was written. "This day father died.
in Bob's trembling hand. There was
a blank OF many months after that.


But nothing could have served bet
ter to bind that family OF headstrong
boys AMI girls together than the keep
Ing OF this book. They come back to
the old homestead now. men and
women with grizzled hair, to see
their mother who Is still living, and
turn over its pages reverently with
many hearty laugh, or the tears
coming into their eyes. 1t Is their
childhood come back again in visible
shape. pe.-Scribner's Monthly.
Year: 1878

times are not such a bug bear to
them as they seem to so many. The
Court House at Marshalltown is not
in comparison with the other build
ings. but there is talk OF q new one
and In all probability it will soon be
built.
Year: 1878

devise scheme so we'll calcula-
ted to throw the whole manage
ment into the hands of a small
combination of active and un-
serupulous policlans. The num-
ber and distribution of the dele
gates, their election at a special
election, and the early day at
at which the election is to be
held and the Convention to be
assembled, all tend to defeat and
delay the project Of State Gov
ernment, or to place the whole
matter in the hands of few ac-
tive and INSCRIPTIONS politicians
if any such choose to embrace
the opportunity.


No Convention was ever be-
fore called to form or amend a
Constitution for any State in the
Union with less number Of
Delegates than were comprised
in both branches Of the Leyisla-
ture; ;the true theory being to give
every class, party and section a
voice in forming the fundamen-
tai law of the State; and in Sc
lecting the Delegates, special
attention has usually been given
to the distribution of the Dele
gates in such manner as to give
all a hearing, without reference
to party majorities. With only
Is Delegates, the candidates for
which are to be selected by 13
conventions of each party, which
will be composed mainly of in
terested and sclf-elected parti-
sans, and special election which
will not probably bring out one
half Of the popular vote, the
chances are almost entirely in
favor of the mere professional
politicians, SO far as the law
goes, and will be made a mere
struggle for party ascendancy,
which should have no place in a
Convention to form a State Con-
stitution.


All the control over the mat
ter that is now left to, the people
is, to see to the election OF Del
egates who will carry out their
wishes, regardless of party. Let
no man slide in under the color
Of party nomination who will
not openly and unequivocally
declare himself upon everyaques-
ton which may properly come
before the Convention. By vlg-
liant discrimination the worst
consequences Of an unwlse and
unstatesman-like Act may yet be
avoided.
Year: 1878

The General Grand Chapter of Roy
al Arch Masons for the United States
of America has recognized the Mark
Grand Lodge of England as the legal
authority in Great Britain for confer
ring the Mark degree. The effect of
this recognition will be that English
Royal Arch Masons who are also Eng
ligh Mark Masters will net be Re quired
to again take the latter degree before
joining an American Royal Arch Chap
ter