The National tribune., 1884-03-13
Senator Harrisoa's Pension Bill.

The following is the text of the bill IS 1911
recently introduced by Senator Harrison, OF
Indiana, in regard to pensions:
Bet enacted bg the Senate and House Of Representa-
fires Of The United States II america in Congress
seBs5fed That every person specified in the several
classes enumerated in section forty-sx hundred and
ninety-three of the Revised Statutes of the United
States, and the amendments thereto who served in
the military naval service, mentioned in said
section for the period of six months during the
of the rebellion, and has been honorabiy discharg
ed therefrom, and who is or shall become disabled
by reason of a wound, injury, disease, not the
result OF his own gross carelessness disreputable
conduct, or vicious habits. shall, upon making due
proof of the facts, under such regulations may
be prescribed by the proper authority, be placed
upon the list of pensioners of the United States,
and be entitled to receive pension during the
continuance of such disability, at a rate proper
tionate to the degree thereof; and such pension
shall commence at the date of filing an APPLICATION
therefor. The highest rate of pension granted by
virtue hereof shall be twenty-four dollars which
is hereby made dvisibe upon the basis of ability
| to perform manual labor: ProDided, That per-
son entitled to invalid pension under existing
laws such may be hereafter enacted granting
pensions for disabilities contracted in the military
naval service OF the United States and in line OF
dnty, shall receive the benefits OF this act. But
any such applicant for invalid pension having
application therefor pending. or who shall here
after ie his application for sush pension, may, by
a declaration over his own signature. elect to
prosecute his said claim under this act; and his
pension, when allowed, shall commence from the
| date of such election.
SEC. 2. That ali widows of soldiers and sailors
/ who, such widows are receiving under
existing laws special act of Congress- the sum
OF eight dollars per month, by reason of the death
of such soldiers and sailors from disability con-
tracted in the military naval service OF the Unit
ed States ard in line of duty since the fourth day
OF March, eighteen hundred and sisty-one, shall,
from and after this date be entitled TO and receive
the rate Of twelve dollars per month in lieu OF said
rate of eight dollars; and all such widows who
shall hereafter be found to be entitled to the rate
of eight dollars per month under existing laws shall
be entitled To and receive the rate OF twelve dollars
| in lieu of said rate of eight dollars.
SEC. g. That if any invalid pensioner has died, or
shall hereafter die of disability contracted in the
line of duty during the of the rebellion, ii
any pensoner under section of this act shall die
| leaving widow or minor children under sixteen
years of age both at the date of the death Of such
pensioner, such widow and minor children shall
be held to be entitled, in the order of succession
named, TO original pension in their own right,
| under existing laws, without being required TO
/ prove that the death cause of such pensioner was
due TO his military naval service of the United
States, and shall receive the rates now allowed by
| law except that such as may be found to be en-
! titled to eight dollars per month shall receive In
| lieu thereof twelve dollars per month.