The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-01-06
The Soldiers Pension Bill.

DeIOW We pIlnG TIC Diii SIaHtiBg pen.
sions to soldiers in the late war with
Great Britain, and to other parties there
in mentioned. which passed the House Of
| Representatives, on the 22d ut., by the
strong vote of Yeas l22, Nays 6l. A
10 ajority Of both the Administration and
Oppo,iton parties in the House voted for
this measure; but inasmuch as it will
draw nearly two millions of dollars from
the Treasury per annum, and as the bill
moreover may be regarded ss making
the pension system the permanent policy
of the country-a policy always consid :
cred of very doubtful propriety in Re
publican governDent-we understand
that many members will interest them
selves to procure its rejection by the U.
5. Senate. 1t is doubtful whether they
will be successful in this sinister move
nlent. 1t is an "old dodge" for the
llou~e to pass popular measure, and
then leave to the Senate the thankless
duty of defeating it. But this game N y
be played once too often. Our own o.
pinion is that the Senate will pass the
bill, aud thus, if defeated at all. it must
be done by the Veto Of the President
The vote of the N. J. Members on the
passage OF the bill was as follows: Ayes
--Messrs. Adrian, Clawson. Huyler and
Robins; Nay, Mr.. Wortendyke. The bill
reads as follows =
SECTION l. That each of the surviving
officers, non-commissioned officers, musi-
clans and privates, who shall have served
in the regular army, State troops, voluD-
teers or militia, for term of sixty day.
or more, or who have been engaged in
actual battle with the enemy, in the war
declared by the United States against
Great Britain on the 18th of june, 1912,
DE authorized to receive pension from
the United States to commence from
the first day Of the present Congress, and
to continue during lis natural life
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted.
That each of the officers, non-commis-
stoned officers, musicians aud privates
who have served in the regular Army,
State troops, volunteers or militia of any
State or Territory, for the space of sixty
days or more, against any OF the Indian
tribes during or preceding the war OF
1872 With great Britain, or who were en-
gagged in any battle fought by the United
States against any Indian tribe during
the aforesaid war with Great Britain.
shall be entitled to all the benefits of this
act.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted
That if any of the officers, non CO IN uis-
stoned officers, musicians, or priyates,
have died, or shall hereafter die, leaving
a widow, such widow shall be entitled to
receive the same pension to which her
husband would have been entitled under
this act, for and during her natural life
SEC. 4. Aud be it further enacted, That
the pay allowed by this act shall, under
the direction of the Secretary of the In,
terror, be paid to such officer, non-com-
alissioded officer. musician, private, or
his widow, or their authorized attorney,
at such times and places as the Secretary
of the Interior may direct; and that no
officer, non-eom missioned officer, musi
can, private, or his widow, shall receive
the same until he furnish the said Secre
tary Of the Interior with satisfactory evI-
deIce that be is entitled to the same, ia
accordance with the provisions of this act:
and that the psy hereby allowed shall
net be, in any way, transferable, or LA
Die to attachment, levy, or Seizure, BY
any legal process whatever, but shaa 20
unencumbered to the possession of the Of
fcer, non commissioned officer musician,
private, or bis widow.
SEC. ,. And be it further enacted, That
the officers, n-eommissioned officers
and marines, who served for the term @!
sixty days in the naval service. or were
engaged in battle with the enemy. during
the war with Great Britain aforesaid, and
their widows, shall be entitled to the ben
Gifts of this act, in the same manner as is
provided for the officers aud soldiers of
the army of the war OF 1912.
SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That
the pension provided ty this act shall in
no case exceed the full amount of niuety
SIX dollors Per year, and shall be eYadu /
ated according to the length Of rersice as
follows: For twelve month service. or
more, ninety-six dollars; for six months
service, but less than twelve months, sew
enty fTe dollars; for sixty days service,
but less than six months, fifty dollars
0rortdet1 that the survivor, or surviving
widow of an officer, non, commissioned
officer, musician, or private. who partici-
pated in actual battle, in said war, shall
be entitled to the maximum pension given
by this act.
A USEFUL HINT.-Tbe difference he.