Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-02-13
Intere sting to Soldier Of 1872.

We pu' dish below the full text of a Pen
son ~ al that has passed the L. 5. House
OF Re representatives.. 1t will be seen that
the services of these old soldiers have at
II st been recognized. although they were
not in actual service SIXTY days. and there
fore not within the Act of Congress of 1871.
The amendment dispensing with the re-
quirements of sixty days actual service,
admits to the benefit OF pension many who
served in Eastern Maine. and who have
hitherto been debarred by that require
ment. This action is just. for many who
were enrolled and served only few days,
were as patriotic. and made as great sac
riices. rs those who served the full time.
Almost all to whom this amendment ap
plies, are eighty years old and upwards.
and can need the bounty of the government
but few years, and it is well that their
declining days should be frightened by the
recognition and compensation of their SER
vices. No one can visit the humble homes
of these veterans in our county, and wit
ness their poverty, decrepitude. and many
infirmities. without rejoicing that they are
at last remembered by grateful country.
This Bill is now before the Senate Commit
tee on Pensions. and is urged by our Rep
rcseutative Mr.. Hale. A favorable report
is confidently looked for in a few days,
and it is hoped that before the present Con-
gre>s adjourns the Bill will become law
u
tice of the charge made by Bangor Claim
Agent in the late canvass. that nothing
would be done for these old soldiers while
Mr. Hale should be continued in Congress-
An Act 20 amend ''dn act granting pensions
o. he Surrirors IF The trdr of 1872 rho
Serred sirfy days. and 10 their UIdo,cS.'
dppr0red Feb. Il. ISL.
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled That the
first section OF ian act granting pensions
TO the survivors of the war Of eighteen
hundred and twelve who served sixty days
and to their widows" approved February
fourteen, eighteen hundred and seventy
one. is hereby amended 40 as To read as fol-
lows:
That the Secretary of the Interior be-
anu ne i nefeDl. authorized and directed
TO place Oh the pension roll. the names OF
the surviving officers and enlisted and
drafted men, including militia and volun-
teer>, of the military and naval service of
the United States, who served in the war
with Great Britain of eighteen hundred aud
tweave and were honorably discharged.
and the names of the surviving widows of
such officers and enlisted and drafted men:
Pr0rided. That such widow shall have been
married prior to January first. eighteen
hundred and twenty-five, to such officer OF
enlisted or drafted man. and shall not have
remarked
SEC. ,. That section two of said act i
hereby amended 50 a. TO read a. follows:
see. ,, That this act shall not apply to
any person who i receiving a pension AT
the rate OF eight dollars or more per month
nor to amy person receiving a pension les
than eight dollars per month. except for
the difference between the pension now re-
ceived aud eight dollars per month. PEN
>ion> under this act shall bc al the rate of
eight dollars per month. except. a. herein
provided. where person l. receiving a
pension of less than eight dollars per month
and shall be paid 10 the persons entitled
thereto from an after the passage of this
act for and during their natural lives: -
Proriiod That widows pen>sucd under
this act shall, if they became widows after
the fourteenth day OF February. eighteen
hundred aud seventy-onc. be entitled to
pension only from the date when they be-
came widows"