The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-19
Many Bills introduced for Equalizing BOun-
ties and for Revising and Amending
the Pension Laws.
Richard Smith Takes a Look at the
Democratic Presidential Field.
Election of Senate Officers Nominated by
the Republican Caucus-Proposal for
Uniform Railway Signals.
BOUNTIES AND PENSIONS.
Indiana congressman Vigorously at Work
in the Interest of Soldiers.


in the Interest of Soldiers.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IS.-From he number OF
bills to amend pension laws introduced in the
House by the Indiana members 1t would seem
as though there competitor among these
gentlemen as to who would do most and go the
furthest in the direction of SO amending the
pension laws that no man who served in the
army should have any excuse for not being on
the pension rolls. Among the members from
Illinois and Iowa the same feeling seems TO pre-
vail, as scores of bills this subject have been
presented from each of those States Thus far
Messrs Cakns, Cobb, Lamb, Matson, Steele and
Ward have each introduced a bill "t0 equalize
the bOunties of soldiers who served in the late
war for the Union" This same bill was pendin g
when the Fortyseventh Congress adjourned
and is likely to be found fast asleep when the
term of the present Congress expires. Perhaps
one hundred members have done what the gem
tlemen above named have done in
connection with this bill, viz: obi aimed copies
OF the old bill from the House document room.
and presented it as a measure originating with
themselves This bounty bill is an sold soger, -
and so long as there are demagogues in Congress
it will make its appearance with biennial regu-
larity. 1t cannot pass. The arrearages pension
law settled that Congress will not be again de-
ceived by the clamor of pension agents and at
torneys into throwing open the treasury for the
extraction of unknown millions. The Paymas-
tergeneral says the equaliZation-ofbounty bill
would, should 1t become alaw, take $3.50, 600, 900
out OF the treasury. That is doubtless the mini
mum, and no one can even approximate with ac-
curacy the sum that would be required.
III addition TO the bounty bill obtained in the
document room, Mr. Lamb has a bill amending
the pension laws, so as to place on the pension
rolls all the survivors of the war Of 1912 and
those of the war with Mexico, together
with the surviving widows of those who served
for fourteen days In either of those wars Mr.
Lamb has also presented copy
OF bill previously introduced in
the Senate, to pension ali those
who were prisoners of war at any time or for any
period over two months during the rebellion.
Under existing laws, those who are suffering
from disability as result of confinement in
rebel prisons can secure pensions To be exactly
fair and consistent. Mr.. Lamb should include all
who served in the field, regardless OF disability
Messrs. Cobb and Lowry have each bill to
remove the limitation clause OF the. arrearspes
of pensions law, and Mr.. Calkins has one to pay
female nurses during the war. BY this bill the
Secretary of War is directed to receive and
examine the claims of all volunteer female
nurses who rendered service during the
war, in field or hospital, under direction OF the
medical authorities of the army. Upon satisfac-
tory proof of service claimants are to be paid at
the rate of $25 for each month of service. Those
nurses who have heretofore been paid SI2 per
month are to have the additional S13.
Mr.. Matson has pill to appoint a commission
to investigate the question of revising the pen
sion laws, which provides for the appointment
OF five commissioners to take into consideration
and thoroughly investigate the various ques-
tions relating to the laws governing the proof,
adjudication, rating, equalizing aud paying of
pensions so far as the same may be necessary to
the revision and simplifying of the existing laws
upon scale of justice to all pensioners The
commission is required to report to Congress the
result of the Investigation and the testimony
taken on the first Monday of December, 1884