The national Republican., 1867-05-30

IMPORTANT PENSION DECIsIoN.-Soon af-
tor the passage Of the act Of July rs, 1885, Z" in
oreasing the pensions Of widows and orphans,
and for other purposes" the Commissioner Of
Pensions, Hon. Joseph ii. Barrett, made re-
Iort 10 the Secretary Of the Interior, giving his
con struction Of tbs third section Of said act
'Fhs Commissioner decided adversely to the ap-
,pliostions of those pensioners under acts passed
prior 10 July IA, 1852, who claimed an increase
Of their Ssnsons to tho rate allowed by the last.
named act. Tho Commissioner, In his report,
after citing ths law, says: This language ap.
pears 10 recognise only claims already adjudi-
,eatsd under previous acts, and to contemplate
suoh-as In the case Of the loss Of both hands, or
both feet, or Of total loss Of eyo.sght, or Of the
amputation Of limb, or Of 4 widow having chill
dren under sixteen years Of age, or OF minor
children entitled to be ponsioned, when there
are more than ono Of the same deceased soldier.
But this granting Of an increase, specifically set
forth In terms, 10 entirely different from that
constructive change Of rates In all cases deduced
from the general phraseology, cited from the act
of July rs, 1866. 1 think phraseology limited In
the manner before indicated, can properly cover
only specific increases, and not general change
Of the rates Of pensions as correctly adJudicated
1nder the laws as they existed at the time"
Tho Hon. o. II. Browning, Secretary Of th'
-ior. aflirms the decision Of the Commissioner
n ths following language; The applicant io'
;nor..ss vas penIioned q number Of years ag'
nndsr a law which gave to her a pension Of hal
hS u,ontbIv pay her husband was receiving a
nv t;ms of his death, viz $3.50 per month
"h;ch sbe is still! enjoying. Her attorney claim
,h.t andsr the so section Of the act OF July 20
,ass she Ia entitled to have her pension in
asssssd 10 IS per month. You have decide
that said section three Is not Of such general ap
nIioation rs to embrace cases OF this character
and I am inclined to think y0ur decision correct
tha nuaalion Ia involved in 3
sS.,sicn Of the tho sst q iaAsS c'sf %,s Y
manner you have done, until Congress shall CIV
a Legislative construction to it."
F,pE,-The alarm Of fire yesterday, abou
o,oIock, was sprung from box 20, and WI
:. used by the explosion Of a bottle Of phospha'
ca SL basement Of tho house occupied by Obi,
I,s,ic. Chase, northwest corner OF sixth ana
s,rasts 4 colorsd man passing by saw ~ u
smoss issuing from the windows, and gave IN
alarm. and which no doubt was tho m means . o. pr
venting q serious connagiA.,on' .nasS,i. sxti
caused by tho explosion was specify ehn
.,ishsd. and the services Of the hremen VINO u
rived were not required. u,,
IN the way to the fre, and as the Hibern
steamer was turning the corner Of Seventh a.
r streets, the engineer, Edward Adams "
thrown out, and had his knee cap iaesulea sN ~
tao places. He was carried into the drug st9
oT M, Nairu, whore he was attended by DR..
n. Butts, and afterward removed to his quarte
The driver Of the reel Of the Ruoker eng
WAS also thrown from his seat to the ground
The apparatus was proceeding tho hre' but
very badly injured. ,,..,
The colorsd man who fortunately discover
the Are was presented by Mr.. Chase with a 9,
of money for his presence OF mind ana aetN
In assisting to subdue the flames.
FORMATION OF A NEw LODGE OF MAsoI
On Tuesday night, at Masonic Hall, corner
nth and D streets, 4 new Masonic lodge
M. VI was formed under the name OF III
MRso. No, 20, r. A. A. NJ, constituted Of me
Lodge, NtiOnal Lodge, No. IL, of that anci
bsrs Of n. u was duly incorporated and
fraternity. Al the necessary work Of
under way, with 'aSt Worshipful Master WI
craft, by Grand N. >ther officers Of the Gr'
ing, assisted by the Columbia.
Lodge Of the District OF we're installed, al
The following officers ia bOuntifu 90
which the new lodge set Ou, themselves u
tion, and those present enjoyed ". Nj II,
n late hour: j. @. Thorndrup, The Sci
Cole. g. Wi ]. W. jenkins, J. W. and
and Junior Deacon were not installed, :,
secretary and treasurer have NOT as yo'
-.