The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-10-04
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE PENSION BILL.

BE Il enacted b The Senate and House Of Represent
ntiges Of the United States Of AnertcG Congress
assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior be-
and he is hereby authorized and directed to place
the pensiOn-ron, upon application therefor, the
names of the surviving honorably- discharged OIL
GERS and enlisted men OF the military and naval
servces of the United States who actually served
90 days. or more, subsequent to the 18th day OF
March, 1861 and prior to the 2lst day Of December
1867.
Sec. 2. That pensions under section Of this act
shall be at the rate per month of cent for each
day IS service rendered. and payable only from and
after the passage OF this act, for and during the
natural lives of the persons entitled therefor Pro-
Uided, hoa0eUer That in each and every case where
the service rendered was less than 500 days the
pension shall be at the rate herein established for
a service of 800 days, to wit, S.
Sec. 3. That all invalid pensioners who are now
receiving pensions under existing laws, or whose
claims are pending III the Pension Office, or before
Congress, may, bYapphcatlon to the Commissioner
of Pensions, in such form as he may prescribe re-
eeve the benefits of this act; and nothing herein
contained shall be construed as to prevent any
| peHsioner hereunder from prosecuting his claim
and receiving his pension under any other general
special act at his election at any time: PTOridsd
| That person shall receive more than one pen
| sion for the same period.
See 4. That If any honorably discharged officer
or enlisted man of the military naval service OF
/ the United States, who served during the period
specified in section of this act. has died shall
I hereafter die, leaving widow, such widow shall
be placed upon the pensOn-rOll upon her applica-
ton ut the rate of SI2 per month: PTOrided That
6aid widow married to the deceased officer. OF
| enlisted man. prior to the passage of this act And
| pTorided further, That all pensions granted 10
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. 5. That rank in the service OF any officer or
enlisted man shall not De considered in applications
| under this act.
Sec. 6. That Section 4716 of the Revised Statutes
is hereby repealed far the same relates to this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 l4th Amend
/ Inent 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 those
| now employed in the Pension Bureau To Rdjudieate
all claims arising under the provisions of this aei
| within two years from the date of the passage
thereof And be Il 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 AdjU
ant-Genera United States Army, to dispose OF the
increased work consequent upon the passage of this
| act. And be IL further enacted, That the several
United States Pension Agents be authorized TO in
their clerical force subject to the approval
of the Secretary of the Interior to extent neees
| sary to promptly dispose of the increased work
consequent upon the passage of this act, not to eX
coed ~ at each agency, and whose salaries shall bC
paid out OF the moneys to be appropriated by thu:
| act.
| Sec. 8. That so much as may be necessary to pay
the pensions provided for in this act and to pay fol
the increased clerical force in the offices of the
| Commissioner OF Pensions. the Adjutant General
and the United States Pension Agents hereinbefoTJ
authorized To be employed, be, and the same i.
hereby, appropriated out of any moneys in tho
Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Sec. 9. That any agent, attorney, or other person
| instrumental in prosecuting any claim under this
act who shall, directly or indirectly contract for
demand, receive or retain, for his services 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
| allowedl, or who shall wTongfuy withhold from
pensoner or claimant the whole or any part of the
| pension or claim allowed and due such pensiOnel
| or claimant shall be deemed guilty of n INSIDE
| meanor, and upon conviction thereof shall, fol
| every such offense, be fined not exceeding $500
| or Imprisonment at hard labor not exceeding tive
years, or both in the discretion of the court. Pro
Cided That fee whatever shall be allowed to any
person whomsoeveF in any case where an invalid
pensioner is granted an increase under the prOvis
| ions of this act
Sec 10. That all laws or parts of laws which con
ct with the provisions of thisact shall be- and tbs
same are, hereby repealed.