Year: 1879

To The Editor of the National Republican:


SIR Permit mo to reply to an unworthy and
false statement made by the New York TIL
6,ae which journal is using the most subtle
means to misead the public and secure, if pos.
sible, q qualification by Congress of its action
in the passage of the arrears bill. If such
journals would occasionally say n word in the
interest of the suffering class of pensioners,
and present the arguments by which legisla.
tors have been convinced of the justice of their
claim, there might be some justification in
using arguments that could be advanced against
the measure but not u single journal in the
land has presented single argument against
the righteous claim of this class in a demand
of the Government that it would perform its
contract with these cripples and sufferers made
when they entered its service. In the conduct
of the prosecution by pensioners they have
been denied the privilege of such journals as
the one mentioned In the advocacy of their
claim, and the only opposition they can make
is the fact that it will take their own money
out of tho Treasury, where it is withheld
greatly to their deprivation and comfort, aud
that of their suffering families As to the ar
tce so falsely presented there is not the
shadow of truth in the statement that claim
agents, as a class have favored it, and the paper
cannot state the names of any such agents
who arc not beneliciaries by the bill, and as to
my connection with the prosecutor rs a per.
manent claim agent this Is most absurd, as |
have accepted but few claims 10 prosecute, and
of worthy and most meritoriOus class.
have been offered obligations for compensa-
tion while this measure has been pending by
many, but have declined in overy case, and
challenged man in this country to produce any
| As to the action of pensioners here who are tc
Ht..1 In.


| for any incidental expense, or even recogniz
| ing my service as they desire, it is a matter o
| their own voluntary action and in accordance
| with the expression .Of their feelings, and


moreover, a matter with which such sheet az
| the Tribune has nothing TO do in taking upon H.
| self the censorship of those who have the priv


ilege TO manifest their appreciation as they SEE
| fit, Pensioners have presented to Congress the
truth, and it remains to be seen whether false
| hood and impOsture is TO be most potent in il
| effect to subvert the rights of class of suffer
| ors. If j have In any way contributed to thu
effort to assist pensioners | do glory in it, an(


| do not desire TO detract one iOta from thu
credit due to the honorable gentlemen in Con


gress who have secured the passage of thi


measures II is only those outside Of Congress
| who seek TO come in at the eleventh hour t,


make themselves prominent us such advocates
that | feel IL my duty to dcnOunGe The CLAIM
agents have only endorsed u statement, wei


known by pensioners, that have, outside 0


Congress, used especial efforts TO have fact


presented TO that body, aud have been aided b!


Others in so doing what believed tobe duty


and as to any claim agents assertion in con


nection with the presentation, 1t is absolutel.


false, Us well rs the statement that any eilor


has been made by us TO have Il removal of tn
| present Commissioner Of Pensions. Truth vii


prevail in the end, even If powerful journal


do lend themselves to hide IL under Il bushe


Respectfully r. A, DIMMlCK,