The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-02-29
Additional Local.
Washington Letter.
pecial CORRESPONDENT.

T
WASHINGTON. ID. c. Feb. y, 1883.
| am well aware that pension literature is
not very spicy reading to the general public
but knowing that the hundreds of old sol
diers in Somerset county are deeply interest
cd in such matters will give a resume of
the most important pension legislation now
before Congress.
First comes the G. A. r. bill introduced
by Senator Manderson, granting pensions
to ex-soldiers and sailors who are incapaci-
tated for the performance of manual labor
and providing for pensions to dependent rel
atives of deceased soldiers and sailors This
is the measure known as the Dependent
Pension bill which passed the last Con-
gress, and was vetoed by the President. Ii
has been iavorably reported to the Senate,
is now the unfinished business before that
body, and is certain to pass before long 1t
will also pass the House, without much
doubt. There is also very little doubt that
Cleveland will sign the bill, as it is devoid of
some of the Objectionable features of the act
which passed the 49Ih Congress.
Then comes the bill introduced by Sena-
( tor Ingalls, TO remove The limitation in the
payment of the arrears of pensions. The
act of March 3, 1873, 50 amended the Ar
rears Act Of January .. 1870, as to require
all applications for arrears 10 be filed prior
to July l, lSSJ. The purpose of Senator In
gals bill is to remove this limitation, and
f.grutff tho fliny ,afo f,r
at any time. Its effect. also, is to entite all
pensioners topcnsions from date of discharge
or from date OF disability, if said disability
occurred subsequent to discharge. My be-
lief is that this bill will not pass.
Next comes Senator Cameron's bin 10
grant a service pension to every officer or
enlisted man who served in the army. navy
or marine corps between March 4, 1861, and
July l, 1866, at the rate per month of one
cent for each days service The ubiquitous
statistician las come forward with table
showing how many hundreds of millions of
dollars would be required TO pay the pen
sions under this measure. ! am of the opin-
ion, based upon careful inquiry, that the
bill will not pass.
Following the above comes Senator Quay's
bill granting 10 ex. ex.prisoners of war one
half pension for Imprisonment oftwo months
and less than six three fourths pension
for Imprisonment of six months and less
than twelve; and total pension for i'm
prisonment of twelve months or more The
bill provides, furthermore, that all surviving
prisoners of war shall receive two dollars for
each and every days confinement Having
conversed with several members of the Sem
ate Pensions Committee, am of the opin-
ion that this bill will be flyorably reported
to the Senate before long. although action
may be delayed until Col. Quay's return
from Florida. The prospects for the final
passage of the bill are excellent
Another very important measure is one
introduced in the House by Congressman
Mcdonald, of Minnesota, to prescribe and
define the evidence in the case of certain
Union soldiers, and widows and orphans of
the same. This bill is a lengthy one. and it
IS impossible TO give even synopsis OF it in
the brief space at my disposal 1t is suifi-
eient TO say, heweyer, that the bill is an ex-
ceedinsly important one, and il ought to
pass. II it does, hundreds of pension claims
which have been rejected upon technical
grounds will be fayorably acted upon by the
Bureau of Pensions. As the bill has not
been considered yet. it is impossible to say
whether or not il will pass.
And still another important bill, also in
troduced by the junior Penpsylyspia Scna-
tor, Is the one known rs the " Manned Sol
diers' League bill. to increase the pensions
of those who have lost eyes, limbs. orfhe use
of them, are totally helpless, Or deaf, and f,r
other purposes. With some amendments.
which will be made in Committee, it is more
than probable that this bill will become
law.
Ofcourse there are dozens of other general
pension bills before the two Houses, but
have enumerated above those which occur
TO me as of the greatest importance. trust
your readers will not haul me over the Goals
for giving so much space to the soldiers. In
ls61-'c5 We were all quite willing to give
them plenty Of room.
The House of Representative baying pass
ed the bills for public buildings at Alien
town and Lancaster, there promises to be
regular scramble among other Pennsylvania