Pension Cases

I here is one phase of Judge Long's pension case that is of interest to every erippled or depemlent survivor of the war for tbe L'uion. ín reducing that and other pensions, arnl in the rulings wliich followed. Commissioner Loehren took the ground that the ratinga oí a former commissioner miirht be set aside and a pension arbitrarily reduced, and that sueh a case should not he reopened, nor the pension restored, exeept by bringing new proofs of iujury or disability. He also refused to pensioners aecess to the original proofs on tile in the department. it is easy to see what hardships these monstrous rulings niight impose. The war closed 82 years ago. The men who eould give evidenoe in alnaost any case of disability ineurred in the serviré are either scattered or dead. Ín a great many of tliese cases the requirement that new proofs shouM be introduced would amount to an absolute denial of justice. In most civil cases it is required that suit slioukl be brought within six years after the cause of action arises. This is based on the theovy that if there were no statute of ümitations the party against whoiu suit is brought may fiud bis witnesses seattered and bis proofs ditficult of aceess. Yet Commissioner I.ochren sought to compel pensionéis to limit up new proofs after the lapse of more than 30 years. One resnlt of .Tudse's Lons's fight on the wasto drive Loclu-on out of the pension office. Another was to stop the practico which was lxichreu inausunue.l. and to re-establish the rule, or at least the practico, that the ratrings of a former commissioner shall not be reduced exoept upon allesations of frand. For bis vlgorous li.sht, and for this result. Judge Ijong is eutitled to the gratitvide of every pensioner in Michigan.