, 1874-06-19

htfctfGt Ofapdfch 10 1Ht Ehtc0q0 iFl1nne.
WORK pEnFonNEp DY THE HOUSE coa1M1TTEE ON
pEN31oSB
WAsu1SaToN, D. c., juno 1s.-The following
ia d brof summary Of the work performed this
session by the 1Io,,so Committee OF Invalid Pom
siona, of which Gen. J. N. Rusk, Of Wisconsin,
Is Chairman Total number Of casca on tho
calendar. 1,16o; disposed Of by tho Committee
GG2 reported fayorably and passe1 tho HouHe,
202 reported adversely 200; canceled by gen.
oral bills reported, 2G0; leaving for next session
about 500.
: General bills hayc passed both Housos provid-
Ing as. followa: For incraasing the total
Of first grade pensions from $31.25
to $50 por month for rating amputation Of the
arm above tue elbow and leg aboys the knee
equal to $24 n month; for e9ua!izing special act
pe3lBonB with tue general lAw rating, in caseB
whore their pensions were less.
Tho uouRe haH passed. and thore Aro
NON PENDING IN THE SENATE,
the following bills: 4 bill giving $40 . month
for an artificial eya; u bill extending the
provisions Of tic general law to de-
pendent mothers, falhcrs, or other rca-
tiyes. aftor tho widows doath or relnarriayo;
a bill increasing pensions from tile dats Of
tho surgeons col tlicate that first shows tho in
creased disability; bill increasing the pension
OF those who lost MI arm and leg or hand and
foot to the sum Of the ponHous lor each disabi-
ity. The Committee Inns also reported, o bill to
oxtond tho timo for fling applications to Jan. l,
1875, and it ia now pending iii the House, OIL The
calendar; but, rs its passage will increuBe the
appropriation nearly S5, 5,0o0, 900. the Committee
do not think it will 10 actod upon this session.
No recommendation Of tho Committee however,
has yet beou rejected by the House.
In the Sennte to-day bonator Fenton offered
what ~ termed cessation Of tho
GREAT AND CnuEL INJUSTICE TO PENSIONERS,
Gently abrogated by department legislation. Tie
Appeal is taken aEalnss the ncth OF Commission
or Baker, and toads off With the following intro
ductory sentence:
'*By tho iudoi1nitencsg Of aontence in the
Inst proyiBo of Section 4 OF the pensoo lawa.
approved March 8, 1878. niHconstruction Of
tile law was confirmed, or rather thereon
was based IN EXCUSE for 4 construction
against tho ,pnnslonsr. which has resulted
in great hardship and injustice to Il large aud
deserving class Of theHe survivors recently.
Since the passago Of that act there has been ln-
terpola.cd, at tue suggestion Of tho Pension
0nice, into tho United States revised laws, q
new clause, which adds to this lntletiniseucsB d
positive contradiction or annnlmeut Of precetl
ing and definite provisions in the body Of tho
pa!ne Pension net. This interpolation, il allowed
to remain III tho inv. will continue to cause evon
greater hardship than resulted iron, tho con-
cont, though still very hutmful, intctnlteuess
OF the prosiHo roforred to prior to this additional
MuTiLATiON OF THE LAW
In connection with it. As tho 1sre-eminent object
OF o proviso, occupying tho position OF this,
should have boon to protect the invalid Eoldior,
especially against miscoustruction and hardship,
md inanmucll as this pgoyiBo has uot only failed
to do this, but has also been no worlod as to
layo become MI instrument which tho Goyorl1-
mont official has buou able to use 80 as to
entall much priyation aud suffering upon
our heroic defenders, 1t IL OF the utmost
importance, both for tile honor OF the nation aud
for the needs aud rights OF these pensioners,
that this wrong should be righted, and rightod
by the honorable genllomon whom tllo people has
placed in Congress- to SEQ il. That MI unjust
provisions and vioationB Of The peoples law, to
which their attention is called, be abolished, and
replaced by a restoration Of the National Inv,
freed from any and ell departmental mulilation
Of it,"