Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-07
union Veterans and Pensions


Two national associations among the
vcterahs OF the war OF 1876 are carry
ing forward movement to secure a ser
vice pension for every Union survivor Of
the civil war.
BY the report Of the Commissioner of
Pensions for 1883 1t appears that there
were on the rolls Of that office 32G,s35
survivors Of the war Of the Rebellion, OF
which number III, $50 were reported AS
receiving allowances not exceeding ~
month. The remaining l09, 30 reported a.
receiving an excess Of ss month includes
nearly all the officers drawing invalid
pensions, and all Of the enlisted men hav-
ing extra disabilities, such as loss Of
limbs, Of eyesight, Of hearing or their
equivalents. Out Of the 2l7 $50 reported
at 81 month or less, there are 32,007
who receive but 81 or less; lO3 $50 who
receive 81 or less, and i53, III who re-
ceive 81 or less. Only @, i03 of the 2l7,-
$50 in this class, and mainly those known
technically Ms the "fully disabled" re-
ceive over Of a month, and the remaining
l53,l17 receive an average of $3.50 per
month. While Ss month was deemed
fair rate on which to support a
dependent veteran In the primitive
manner OF the first half Of the
century, this becomes a mere pittance
when applied to the present times. The
aggregate annual value of the active list
at Ss a month as 1t was in 1883 ia about
Sl3, sss 900. The pension laws assume
that these benefciaries received perma-
the war, or If the injury be not permanent
that the allowance is suspended whenever
the effects Of the injury disappear. The
large record of diseases and casualties
during the war is justification for this
enormous list Of pension survivors.
There we're over 100000 wounds treated
In hospitals. and total of about six mil
lion cases OF diseases and wounds. The
invalid pension list in 1883 aggr' gated an
an annual value Of over s37 900 600. As
stunning that these pensions will remain
unchanged during the lifetime of the ben
eficiaries, the classes of survivors of the
war who are deserving but unprovided
for by Government, are three:
First, those who by reason of the hard
ships Of the service and old age combined
are not able to labor, and who have no
claim for pensions under existing invalid
laws
Second, those who are disabled by rea-
son Of injuries received in service, and
who are unable to prove their claim.
Third, those who have become disabled
since the war, and whose faithful services
In the ranks entitle them not only to the
gratitude, but the aid OF the Nation.
1t is in behalf OF these three classes of
their comrades. of whom the number can
not be well computed. and all of whom
are not now on the list that the members
of the Grand Army are working. 1t was
A committee of this body which framed
the Dependent Pension Bill presented to
Congress but which failed to become
law in consequence Of Presidential veto.
While a modified bill known "a the "Dis-
ability Bill, and the Eight Dollar Bill
providing ss month to every survivor
who had served sixty days or more, were
before the Senate Of the last Congress, the
House and Senate both considered bill
known as the "Per Diem Service Pension
Bill which was designed t6benefit the |
ihree classes Of veterans now unprovided |
'or by the pension laws. This bill, in
brief, provides for the payment of pen
zion for service In the army. navy or
marine corps, lat the rate per month Of
me cent for each days service rendered.
While these bills were pending before
ongress, the Grand Army met at Column
rus. Ohio. last year, and the committee |
IN pensions Of that body again pressed
he claims Of the Disability Bill; but
inally resolution was unanimously |
'assed at that session favoring q service
'ension OF 81 per month for every sur
'ivor who served sixty days or more, and
N additional amount Of one cent a month
or each days service exceeding eight
hundred days. This resolution of the
rational Encampment is in harmony with
he action Of many Of the State Depart
nents of the Grand Army.
The number Of survivors Of the civil
'ar is estimated ut about one million
hree hundred and fifty thousand. The
'er Diem Service Bill gives the average
srm Of service Of each soldier at about
ne year, and would allow an average PEN
on Of -. Is month. II one million sur.
ivors called for the allowance the cost
ould be less than CSC, 00O. 900 year ,
he Eight Dollar Bill would cost the I
overnment s96, 900, 600 a year II the same ,
lmber should receive it. The Grand
rmy Service Pension Bill would cost the
annually, on the same basis,
VI, 600 600 with an additional sum for
cry veteran who served over eight hum
ed days. That is to say this per diem I
ould Be graduated about as follows For z
rec years service, or zoos days, Sl0a5 a
onth; for four years service, l460 DAYS,
40 month, and at the same rate for /
terms Of service Of over eight hundred Z
". .
Mr.. George L. kilmer IL an open letter
the Century for the current month, =
plains fully the bearing Of these several