The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-22
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE PENSION
1sErF.


BILL.
AS basis for intelligent action by the |
comrades at the National Encampment, we
publish THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Per Diem
Service Pension Bill, which we ask them to
carefully read and consider. We are san
guine that they will find it, as the thousands
who have examined it have to be the best
digested and most just pension measure yet
It is the careful, thoughtful work
of men who have made the pension subject
the study of years, and they are confident
that this meets all requirements better than
any bill suggested. 1t lays solid founda-
tions for future legislation. Tt does not
stand in the way of any future legislation,
but rather prepares the way for it. 1t
avoids the weaknesses and defects of other
proposed bills, and combines all their good
points. Proper discrimination is made be
tween the short-term and long term service,
but it provides that all shall receive at
least as much as the soldiers of previous
wars have received.
Above all, it is an eminently practical
measure, and provides straightforward,
business like way for an immediate giving
of the benefits which it confers We are
sure that the more it is studied and COM
pared with other bills the better it will COM
mend itself to everybody. Here it is:
Be II enacted by the Senate aud House Of Represent
atives Of the United States Of america TN Congress
senblod, That the Secretary of the Interior be- and
he Ii hereby, authorized and directed 10 place on
the pension-rol upon application therefore, the
names of the surviving honorably discharged Off
GERS and enlisted men of the military md naval
services of the United States who actually served
ninety 100 days.sor more. subsequent to the 9Th
day of March, 1851 and prior to the 2lst day Of De-
cembcr 1867.
Sec O. That pensions under section one of this
act shall be at the rate per month OF cent for
each days service rendered; and payable only
from and after the passage Of this act for and dur
ing the natural lives OF the persons entitled there
to; Propided, hoeever That in each and every case
where the service so rendered was less than eight
hundred 500 days the pension shall be at the rate
herein established for n service of eight hundred
$500 days to wit eight dollars ss): Provided fur
Her, That all invalid pensioners now on the pen
sion.rol who may hereafter be placed on the
pension-roll by Of disability disabilities
which originated In the line OF duty in the military
naval service of the United States since the 9Th
day Of March, 1851 shall be entitled 10 receive such
increase Of pension rs may be found due them
under section one OF this act
Sec 3. That nil invalid pensioners who are now
reossiyiEu x,xttaiona uadeF whose
claims pending in the Pension Office, or before
Congress, may. by application TO the Commissioners
OF Pensions, in such form he may prescribe, re-
ceive the benefits OF this act; aud nothing herein
contained shall be go construed to prevent any
pensioser hereunder from prosecuting hs claim
and receiving his pension under any other general
or special act, st his election, st any time
Sec. 4. That n any honorAbiy -discharged officer
or enlisted man of the military or naval service Of
the United States. who served during the period
specified In section one of this act has died or
shall hereafter die leaving widow. such widow
shall be placed upon the pens!on-ToH. upon her
application mt the rate OF twelve dollars si2l per
months Prorfded. That said widow married to
the deceased officer, enlisted man. prior TO the
passage Of this oct. Aad prorided further, That all
pensions grated TO widows under this act shall
take effect from the date Of death OF the husbands
of such widows respectively, but not dating from
Sec 5. That rank in the service OF ANY officer or
enlisted shall be considered In applications
| under this act.
sec. G. That section 47ie OF the Revised Statutes
~ hereby repealed so far the relates to this
aat or TO ,,snsions under this act Propided. That
this &C; shall apply TO those persons under the
| political disabilities imposed by the Iiih Amend
| meuI 20 the Constitution Of tho Omitted States.
Sec T. That the Secretary Of tile Interior be- and
A
such increased force. not exceeding thousand
q. COO clerks. as may In hts discretion. be doeued
necessary additional TO those employed In the
/ Pension Bureau, TO adjodoAte all claims arising
under the provisions of this act within two years
| from the date of the passage thereof and be q
further eaneted That tho Secretary OF War be- and
| lac Is hereby authorized and directed 10 employ
| such Increased force, not exceeding five hundred
/ tSaU clerks, may be necessary, In the office
OF the Adjuiant General, United States Army
| 10 dispose of the increased work consequent
| upon the passage Of this act. And Be II fHrthsi
enacted, That the several United States Pension
| Agencies be authorized to Increase their clerical
force. subject To the approval OF the Secretary o
the Interior, TO extent necessary TO promptly
dispose OF the increased work consequent upon th'
passage OF this ACT not To exceed twelve i at eRei
agency. and whose salaries shall be paid out OF til,
moneys TO be appropriated by this act.
SEQ 8. That mitch may be necessary to pa!
the pensions provided for in this act, and TO pa.
for the increased clerical force in the Offices OF tn
Commissioner of Pensions. the AdIulant-G General
and the United States Pension Agents hereinbefon
authorized to be employed, be, and the same /
hereby. appropriated oat OF any moneys In Tn
Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Sec. d. That ali laws parts of laws which con
et with the provisions of this act shall be- and Ia
same are hereby, repealed.
THAT poor surplusi As Tanner has no'
been digging at ii for five months like a
Irishman attacking drift on the sidewai
with snow-shovel, it must certainly be
| thing of the pnst The era of imDositio