Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-24


made in regard to pensions, and took occasion
70 advert to the importance of subiectine al,
such proposed legislation to the dIssectine
knives Of the experienced officers of the Gov
eminent, In order that it might be Clearly as.
eertained how far the liberaiity of the Govern.
ment was invoked, and who were to beeome ths
osnehciaries. TIC pension bsil thus alluded
TO- which still more exemplifes the utility
ef oar suggestion, was that introduced by the
Hon. Mr.. Wentworth, of Illinois, on the 14th
OF December last, under the title of " bill ex.
tending the benefits of the Pension Laws to all
persons serving in the late war with Great
Britain, and the Indian wars prior thereto, and
their widows" 1t was referred to the Com.
mittee on Revolutionary Pensions, and thence,
As we learn, to the Commissioner of Pensions,
who has examined and reported upon it.
The bill is badly drawn, but its object is ev-
identity to give pensions to all persons Tor their
widows) who served in the war of 1872, and
the Indian wars prior thereto, on the same
principle on which gratuities have been and
are now given to those or tho widows of those
who served in the army of the revolution. We
shall see how far this il practicable under the
bill proposed by Mr.. Wentworth, and to what
extent it would enlarge the pension system.
There are three several laws now in force
granting pensions to the surviving officers and
soldiers of tho revolutionary army. Ono
which gives pension of So a month to the
soldiers, and $50 month to the commissioned
ohcers who are in "indigent circumstances, y
ana who served to "the end of the revolution
ary war; or for period OF mine months
or more at ''any period" thereof, on ssconti.
mental" establishment Another, which gives
to the surviving officers of the revolutionary
army Of the continental line, "who were en-
titled to half pay under the resolution of Con-
gress of the 2lst Oct., 1870, a pension equal to
full pay in said line according to their rank,
and also to the surviving non-commissioned
officers, musicians, and privates, who entered
| the army for during the war, and continued in
service until its expiration, a pension equal
to their pay, to commence in each case on the
10th of March, 1926, and to continue during
life And another, which gives to each of the
surviving officers, non-commissioned officers,
musicians, and privates, and Indian spies, who
served in the continental line or State troops,
volunteers OF militia, at one or more terms a
period Of two years, pension equal to the
| amount of their full pay in tho line, according
to their rank; and whore the service was less
than two years and not less than six months,
the pension was to be such proportion of full
pay as the length of service should bear to
two years. There are at least four several OK.
listing laws granting pensions to the widows of
those persons who rendered military service in
the army Of the revolution. One gives a
pension to those widows whose marriage
took place before the expiration of the
last period of their husbands service
One, to those who were. married prior to
to the let of January 1894; another, to those
who were married prior to January, 1900; and
another, which gives pension to those who
were married ut any time subsequent to 1900;
and each Of these four laws fixes a particular
date when the pensions granted by them res
pectively shall commence, dc. Now it is pro.
posed to extend all these various and confic-
ting provisions Of law to the persons and the
widows of such as served in the war of 1912
and the Indian wars prior thereto, and should
the bill become a law how can it be executed
Where shall we look for the continental line
or State troops? What rate of pension shall be
adopted when We find that the several existing
laws prescribe different rates? Which of the
several dates fixed by existing laws for the COM
mencemeht of the pension shall be taken p
What regard shall be had to tho pecuniary cir
cumstances Of applicants? The amount of
pension in some cases depends upon the
amount Of the pay in the line. This is not
always the same. What rates shall be adopt
ed! Who shall We find entitled to half pay
under the resolve of 81 Oct. 1880? What prof
liable applicability can the acts granting pen
sions to the widows of revolutionary men have
to the soldiers of the war of 1912? &c. Suf.
hcient has been said to show the utter imprac.
ticability of executing such law as that pro.
posed by Mr.. Wentworth
Supposing, however, that bill should be
framed free from these cxecutory obstacles. and
50 as to accomplish the objects the friends of
the bill as proposed have in Wow, what would
be its effect upon tho Treasury for this is n
perfectly legitimate question in any inquiry as
to the propriety Of the passage of suca law
Without going into any of the details of the
calculation, We may state that after due ex-
animation, it is estimated that the amount
which would be drawn from the treasury in
addition to what now required under existing
laws, would be about sic millions of dollars
per amnmm. We can hardly think that our
Just obligations require, or that Congress or
the people are prep ,red for such distribution
OF the surplus money now in the treasury
notwithstanding the Importance, in the estima
ton Of some persons, of getting rid Of it as a
source Of political evil.
Spirit Rsppers. We incidentally remarked,
on Wednesday, that the mediums were ar
irving here in numbers, called by the spirits
to convene in Washington. They are an odd
looking congregation. If possible, more SO
than those who believe in them. 1t is certain
ly true that both classes of these people are of
a genus peculiar to themselves, as it were.
They abound in New ENGLAND esDecially and