Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-02-12
GoFF'S PENSION BILL
10 Beucht Fighting West Virginia Militia
iu Good shape.
SDycid! 10 he Register.

WASHINGTON. February ll.-During the
var q large body OF local militia made up
Of scattering companies through the terri
tory uow comprehended By West Virginia,
Ras musterec into the service Of the State
oy Governor Pierpoint of the restored Eir'
ginia government, and Governor Boremsn,
IF the new State. These troops served
hroughout the war under the command Of
General officers OF the United States Army,
campainiug aud fighting side By side with
troops who we're regularly mustered into
he United States service. These State
troops, however were never regularly en-
,ered in the service Ct the Federal Govern
ileat and those OF the number who would
now be entitled 70 the beaeht OF
the general pension law are bound
by the technical omission TO muster them
regularly into the service. The army rec
crd show that these men served in all the
campaigns and engagements o. their re-
spscIive commands and their existence OF
part Of the Federal army is FULLY reeog'
uized in numerous general orders and re-
Ports.
For the purpose Of placing these men
within the purvieW Of the pension laws
Gen. GoF on the 7th Of January, intro
dlced the following bill:
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives Of the United States OF
America in Congress assembled, That the
provisions of the pension laws OF the ! nited
States be, and the same are hereby. eX.
tended to TIE officers and private soldiers
who, acting under the orders and authority
OF the Governor Of the State OF West Nlr'
glnia in the late war, were disabled 0y In
. iurv received or disease contracted IN the
line of duty while such o;icers or private
soldiers were cooperating with the toIces
OF the L nited States; and the widow or
children or dependent relative OF such 9th
+ cor or soldier as may have died from
wounds, injuries. or disease received or
contracted in such service shall be entitled
10 the benefits Of the provisions referred TO.
Sec. ,. That the limitation of the time
. TO- fling claims for pensions to embrace
/ the arrears from the date OF discharge oi
the soldier, under the scl of March third
eiyh,eeu hundred and seventy be
and the same is hereby, extended. for the
| benefit OF the several classes OF persons
named in the frat section OF this act, until
July first, eighteen hundred and eighty
eight.
Sec. 3. That the Secretary OF War De
and be is hereby. authorized snd required
70 allow and paw TO tie officers, non-com
missionsd oficers, musicisRs, prIvates, oil
scouts, who during the war OF the rebel
iou, were acting under the authority Of the
/ Governor Of the State Of West Virginia ID
Independent companies, State guards, oI
scouts. in cooperation with the forces ottht
United States, the bounty pay ane
allowances that they would hayt
received if they had been regularly
mustered into the military service: Fro
vided, That the boun'y ami pay preferred
70 in this act shall not be payable unies
their time Of enlistment and service os
such duration "a to eutilie them 10 receI''
rie same according 70 existing lsE, an.
that the payment made 10 othsers and pr
Yates referred TO ia the Safe service soli
be deducted from the amount ihey wnnI
be entitled to under the foregoing PfoVl'ioI
Of this act. ,.,,,
Sec. 4. That the heirs Of those killed o
who died in TIE service OF the State a
aforesaid, or who have since died iron
wounds or disease contracted in the sal
service, shall be entitled to receive q
bounty and pay 10 which the othcers, 80
diers, musicians, or p-ya;es would hsy
been entitled hsd they been regnIarl
mustered in the sC;Sics OF the aite
States.
Immediately. .,
Gen. Gof yesterday sppsared before n
Invalid Pension Committee Of the Hous
by appointment and made al argument !
s1pport of this bill. de made clear a.
forribls statement Of the Circumstance
, leading up to this proposed Legislation
At the close OF biI argument, he was yo
untarily given the assurance that ii
committee are vary favorsbly impressed
and q uusnimols report in favor OF II
bin viii doubtless be agreed upon, Torn
| aIly at the next meeting Of the commute
/, is estimated that there are more ths
; q thousand ex-soldiers. scsttrred most
( through the eou 7ties Of Marion Rsrriso
Pendieton, Grant, Nicho's9r Fayet!e al