The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-29
ABOUT PENSIONS.
Inside History Of the Legislation on This
Point in the Past Few Years.

Inside History Of the Legislation on This
Point in the Past Few Years.
MILWAUKEE, Aug. 28.-Before the close of
this mornings session, General Mcmahon,
of New York, arose and offered resolu-
tion which had been unanimously adopted
by the delegates from that State. 1t de-
clared that the Grand Army was composed
of men who, after honorable service In the
cause of the country, had been homo rably
discharged from further service in the army
and navy of the United States; that they
were jealous for its glory and the good
name of its surviving comrades, as we'll as
mindful of the honor due to the memory of
the dead, and that the encampment
therefore protested against any con-
struction of existing laws which
would place ON the pension rolls
soldiers dishonorably discharged from the
service. The resolution was greeted with
applause, but under the rules it went to
the committee without debate.
When the delegates assembled after lunch
q lengthy report from the cOmmitte on
pensions was presented. 1t opened by ex-
prdasing regret that, owing to the short
session of Congress after the last encamp-
ment, and the crowded condition of bust
ness. little in the line of practical results
could be accomplished. After the congress
iOnal recess the committee met in Chicago
and proceeded to the home of the president
elect. The interview was pleasant one.
General Harrison gave cordial assur-
ances of his warm interest in the
question of pensions and expressed an
earnest desire that generous pensions to the
defenders of the Union should be granted.
After the last encampment the cOmittee
prepared two bills, one disability bill. SO
broadened in its provisions as to include
an Endorsement of pensions to all honor
ably discharged veterans. and another to
give every honorably discharged veteran a
monthly rate of one cent for each days serv-
ice. These bills were given in detail and
the committee expressed its regret that it
had been unable to secure favorable action
upon them. Should, however, the encamp-
ment reaffirm its position, the same bills
were ready for early presentation to both
opening of the session, and from interviews
with, the leading men of both houses
the cordial and friendly attitude of the
administration and liberal views of the
siOner Of Pensions lthe latter being ap-
pointed after eight years of faithful serv-
ice on this committed, it was believed that
before the conclusion of the next session of
Congress legislation would be had which
would 60 far toward the completion of the
to those who defended her flag. From this
the report went on to give in detail the
work that had been accomplished by the
Grand Army pension committees in eight
years. The clerical force in the Pension
Office had been increased from 742 to 1,5S9,
in the Adjutant- generals Office to 167.
There were 166 additions to the list of sur
geOns and fifty-twO in other depart
ments. These additions had necessi-
tated an extra expenditure of g. .OOO, 600.
yearly. A law had been passed giving the
Commissioner of Pensions power to ap-
point boards of examining surgeons
throughout the country to expedite the
work. and another, appointing $50 addi-
tiOnal special examiners in the field to ex-
anime cases in which questions arose; also,
a third. authorizing the employment of eX-
perts as to special diseases in cases demand
ing special attention. and still another.
that the acceptance and muster as a soldier
should in all cases be accepted as prlma
facie evidence of his sOundness at
the time against existing disabilities.
Others have passed increasing widows
pensions from IS to S12 per month, and in
creasing the rate for severe disability. The
disability bill, that was vetoed by Cleve-
land, as well as the measures providing for
pensions to all widows without reference
the cause of death of their husbands, for
the benefit of survivors of rebel prisons,
and for the re-enactment of the arrearages
law, were also the fruits of the committees
work, while even this statement did not
cover all that 1t had done. The report con-
c1udes by recommending that the work be
pushed with viger for the year TO come. 1t
is signed by comrades S. NJ. Merrill, John
s. Kountz. J. ]. II. Burst, Z. w. Blue and
Lucius Fairchild