The National tribune., 1888-06-28
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE PENSION BILL

BE Il enacted by the Senate and House Of Represent
ntiUcs Of the United States Of AuIerica IN Congress
assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior be.
aud he is hereby authorized and directed to place
on the pension-roll upon application therefor, the
names of the surviving honorably discharged ofii-
GERS and enlisted men of the military and naval
services OF the United States who actually served
90 days, more, subsequent 20 the 4th day OF
March, 1861, and prior to the 2ist day of December
1857.
Sec. 2. That pensions under section l Of this act
shall be at the rate per month of cent for each
days service rendered; and payable only from and
after the passage Of this act, for and during the
natural lives of the persons entitled thereto: Pro-
c{dcd, h0lOeUeT, That in each and every where
the service so rendered was less than 800 days the
pension shall be at the rate herein established for
a service Of 800 days, to wit, S.
See. 3. That all invalid pensioners who are now
receiving pensions under existing laws, whose
claims are pending in the Pension Office or before
Congress, may, by application to the Commissioners
OF Pensions, in such form as he may prescribe,
ccive the benefits Of this act; and nothing herein
contained shall be construed to prevent any
pcnsioner Hereunder from prosecuting his claim
and receiving his pension under any other general
special act at ms election at any time: Provided
That person shall receive more than one pen
sion for the same period.
Sec. g. That if any honorabIy- discharged officer
enlisted man of the military naval service OF
the United States, who served during the period
specified i'm section Of this act has died or shall
hereafter die, leaving widow, such widow shall
be placed upon the pension-roll upon her applioa-
ton at the rate of SO per month: PrODided That
enlisted man, prior to the passage of this act. And
proUtded further, That all pensions granted to
widows under this act shall take effect from the
date of death of the husbands of such widows
respectively, but not dating from any date prior to
the passage of this act.
Sec 8. That rank in the service of any officer or
enlisted man shall not be considered in applications
under this act.
See g. That Section 47I6 of the Revised Statutes
Is hereby repealed so far the relates to this
act or to pensions under this act: Provided, That
this act shall not apply TO those persons under the
political disabilities imposed by the 18th Amend
nent to the Constitution of the United States
Sec z. That the Secretary of the Interior be, and
he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ
1000 clerks such additional force may in his
discretion, be deemed necessary, additional to hose
now employed in the Pension Bureau to adudcate
al claims arising under the provisions of this act
within two years from the date of the passage
thereof. And be further enacted, That the Secre-
tary Of War be, and he Is hereby, authorized and
directed to employ 500 additional clerks or such
force may be necessary in the Office of the Adiu-
tant-General United States Army to dispose of the
increased work consequent upon the passage of this
act Afd be n further enacted, That the several
United States Pension Agents be authorized TO in
crease their clerical force subject TO the approval
of the Secretary of the INTERIOR extent neces-
sary 10 promptly dispose of the increased work
consequent upon the passage OF this act, not to
coed i ut each agency and whose salaries shall be
paid out Of the moneys TO be appropriated by this
act rio -
See. s. That SO much 81 may be necessary to pay
the pensions provided for in this act and to pay for
the increased clerical force in the offices Of the
commissioner OF PENSIONS, the Acknowledgement,
and the United States Pension Agents hereinbefore
authorized to be employed lie, and the same is
hereby, appropriated out of any moneys in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Sec. O. That any agent, attorney, or other person
instrumental III prosecuting any claim under this
act who shall, directly or indirectly, contract for
demand. receive retain. for his services or in
strumentality in presenting and prosecuting such
claim, greater sum than $40 payable only upon
the order of Commissioner of Pensions by the
Pension Agent making payment of the pension
allowed or who shall wrongfully withhold from q
pensoner or claimant the whole any part of the
pension or claim allowed aud due such pensoner
or claimant shall he deemed guilty of a INSIDE
meanor, and upon conviction thereof shall for
every such oliense, he fined not exceeding $780,
or imprisonment at hard labor not exceeding two
years, or BOTH in the discretion of the court. Pro
Uided That no fee whatever shall be allowed to any
person whomsoever in any case where an invalid
pensioner Is granted an increase under the provis
ions of this act.
See. TO- That all laws parts Of laws which con-
ict with the provisions OF this act shall be- and the
| same are, hereby repealed.