The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-03
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE SERVICE PEN.
SION BILL.

THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Service Pension
Bill represents the nearest approach to JUS
tice for the survivors of the war of any
measure yet suggested 1t asks for much
less, it is true, than they deserve; but it asks
for more for many more men and women
than any other general service pension bill,
and it adjusts the Nations payment much
nearer the deserts Of the individual Here
is the bill entire:
a BILL to equalize pensions, to facilitate prompt
settlement thereof and for other purposes.
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House Of Represent
atires Of the United SUITES Of A4lericG ir Congress
assembled That the Secretary of the Interior be-
and he is hereby authorized aud directed to place
on the penson-rol. upon application therefor, the
names Of the surviving honorabIy- dischaTged Off
GERS and enlisted men Of the military and naval
services of the United States vino actually served
30 days, or more, subsequent to the 4th day of
March, 1861 and prior TO tile 2lst day of December,
1861
Sec 2. That pensions under section ] Of this act
shall be at the 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-
vided Iotoeper That in each and every case where
the service SO rendered less than 800 days the
pension shall be at the rate herein established for
8 service Of 500 days, to wit, So.
| Sec 2. 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 20 the Commissioner
of Pensions, in such form he may prescribe, re-
| ccive the benefits Of this act and nothing herein
contained shall be so construed as to prevent any
| pensioner hereunder from prosecuting his claim
and receiving his pension under any other general
special act al his election at any time: PrOUded
| That no person shall receive more than one pen
sion for the same period.
Sec 4. That if any honorably discharged Officer
or enlisted man OF the military naval service o
the United States, who served during the period
specified in section l Of this act. has died shall
hereafter die, leaving widow such widow shall
be placed upon the penson-roIl upon her applica
ton at the rate Of So per month: PrOUided, Tina
said widow married to the deceased officer, o.
enlisted man prior 10 the passage of this act. Ant
provided further, That all pensions granted &
widows under this act shall take effect from TIN
date of death of the husbands of such widow
respectively, but not dating from any date prior t.
the passage of this act.
Sec. s. That rank in the service of any officer @
enlisted man shall not be considered in application
under this act
Sec. g. That Section 47l6 Of the Revised Statute
Is hereby repealed far as the relates 10 tai
act or to pensions under this act Provided, Tha
this act shall not apply to those persons under Tia
: political disabilities imposed by the I4th AMEND
ment 10 the Constitution of the United States
Sec. z. That the Secretary of the Interior be- an
he Is hereby, authorized and directed 10 emplo
600 clerks, or such additional force as may, in hi
discretion, be deemed necessary additional TO thos
now employed in the Pension Bureau. to adjudioai
ali claims arising under the provisions Of this al
: within two years from the date Of the passap
thereof And be Il further enacted, That the Secrt
tary of War be, and lac is hereby, authorized an
directed TO employ 800 additional clerks, or sue
force ms may be necessary. in the Office of the Adj
tant- General United States Army TO dispose OF III
increased work consequent upon the passage of tn
e act. And be ii further enacted, That the sewers
United States Pension Agents be authorized TO il
crease their clerical force subject to the approv
OF the Secretary of the Interior to extent nece
sary TO promptly dispose OF the increased wor
consequent upon the passage of this act, TO O.
coed IL at each agency, and whose salaries shall
y paid out Of the moneys to be appropriated by th
act.
p Sec. Q. That so much may be necessary to pa