The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-04
He Thinks the Bill to Pension These Men
Will Be Taken Up, Amended and PrOba-
bly, Passed by the Present Congress.
No Probability that Any Tariff Legisla-
ton Will Be Attempted This Session.
The Opponents of Further Coinage of the
Silver Dollar Exhibit Increased Conf
dence-Capitalists and the South.
THE MEXICAN PENSION BILL.
Mr.. Matson Thinks 1t Will Be Amended and
Passed During the Coming Session.

Mr.. Matson Thinks 1t Will Be Amended and
Passed During the Coming Session.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec, "A great many inquiries
are being sent here from every part of the coun-
try in reference to the Mexican pension bill and
the probability of its passage at this session of
Congress The bill is so broad In its present
form-being an smalgamation of nearly every
general bill on the subject presented in this Con-
gress-that it interests every class of men who
has served his country in war since 1S46. l
asked Chairman Matson, of the House commit
tee on invalid pensions, to-day, whether he
thought the bill would be passed this winter.
Yes I think it will come up just as soon as
the appropriations are not occupying the atten-
tion of the House, and that it will pass, in some
shape" he replied. There was much prejudice
against the bill before the election account of
the political influence it would WELD but now
there can be no North, nor South, nor Democra-
cy, nor Republicanism in it, and, in some shape,
I believe it will go through this session"
"Will it be amended by conference commit
tees9"
Probably. 1t will be given a turn in both
houses again, should think, however Besides
days with the army or navy of the United States,
in Mexico. on its frontier coast, it contains
the provisions of my bill revising the general
pension laws. Briefly, the revisions make these
changes: Pension agents can charge but $40 at
torneys fees for securing pensions, and can not
collect that until the pension is allowed. Persons
who served for a period of three months in the
war against the rebellion, have an honorable
discharge, and who shall become disabled here
after from any cause whatever, shall receive a
pension of not more than $24, provided that per
son is not receiving pension already Widows
and minor children receiving So month will re-
ceive $l2 instead. Invalid pensioners receiv-
ing So q month on account of disabilities in
CURED in the rebellion will leave an inheritance
of $12 month to their children under sixteen
years of age. Pensions granted widows on ac-
count of minor children will be continued with
out limit to age, If such minors of unsound
mind or physically helpless, provided the widow
retains the custody of such children in the event
she remarries. Dependent parents, in order to
prove meritorious case for pension, need only
show that they are without present means of
comfortable support than his or her own manual
labor, or contributions of others not legally
bound for his or her support, which will give
them $12 month. The fact that the applicant
was regularly enlisted and mustered into the
service shall be prima face evidence of sound
ness at the time of enlistment"
''You believe that the clauses in the bill not
relating to the Mexican war will be passed as
you have stated theml" inquired
II think they will," replied Colonel Matson.
''They are just and popular. and great pressure
is being brought for their adoption. 1 think the
bill will be called up very soon, slightly amended
and passed