The National tribune., 1886-02-11


Extended mention OF the very important
bill introduced in the Senate by Gen. Van
Wyck, of Nebraska, was omitted in last
weeks NATIONAL TRIBUNE by an over
sight. Like every thing the Senator does the
bill is practical and thorough throughout,
and all it's features will receive the hearty
commentator of soldiers. We give the text
entire:
A BILL to increase the pensions of widows and
dependent relatives, and granting pensions to
invalid and dependent soldiers and sailors, and
for other purposes:
Sec. l. That all widows or minor children of SOL
diers and sailors who such are now receiving.
under existing laws, general special, the sum OF
SIS per month, by reason of the death of such SOL
diers and sailors in service or from disability con-
tracted in the military naval service of the
United States, and in line of duty, shall from and
after this date be entitled to and receive the rate of
SD per month in lieu of said rate of sS and all such
widows or minor children who shall hereafter be
found to be entitled to the rate of IS per month I'M
der existing laws shall be entitled to and receive
the rate of SO in lieu of said rate of s..
Sec. 2. That II any invalid pensioner pensioned
for disability contracted in the military or naval
service Of the United States and in the line of duty
has died or shall hereafter die, leaving q widow or
minor child under l6 years ofage or both at the date
ofthe death of such pensioner such widow or minor
children shall be entitled in the order of succession
named, to an original pension in their own right,
under existing laws, without being required to
prove that the death of such pensioner was due to
his military or naval service of the United States.
and shall receive the rates now allowed by law,
except that such as may be found TO be entitled TO
S. per month under existing laws shall receive in
lieu thereof So per month.
Sec 8. That pensions granted widows on account
of minor children shall be continued without limit
as to age, whenever it shall appear that such minors
are of unsound mind or physically helpless, so as
to render them incapable of earning subsistence:
Prorded That such widow retains the care Gus
tody and control of such minors and in the event
of the death or remarriagc of such widow or aban-
donment by her of such miners, then the pension
and additional pension shall be continued to them
in their own right, without limit to age, during
the continuance of such disability, payable to
duly-consttuted guardian.
Sec. 4. That in considering the claims of depend
ent parents the fac: and of DEATH and the fact
that the soldier left no minor children having been
shown required by law it shall be necessary
only to show by competent and sufficient evidence
that such dependent parent is without other means
Of comfortable support than his or her own manual
labor, or the contributions of others not legally
bound for his or her support; and such as may be
entitled to S. month under existing laws shall
receive in lieu thereof Sl2 month from the date of
this act.
Sec. S. That any person now receiving pension at
less than So per month shall receive SIS per month.
Sec. 6. That every person who served during the
late war in the military naval services one year
and is 65 years of age, and is dependent upon his
own labor for support, and every person who served
three years during said war and is so dependent,
and every person who served one year on an en-
listment for two years or more. aud who is disabled
from any cause not the result of his careless
ness vicious habits, and is also dependent upon
his own labor for support, shall be entitled to re-
ceve pension at the rate Of s. month.
The bill has been read twice and referred
to the Committee on Pensions.