The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-03-28

sioners on the rolls in 1894, and they would
cost upwards of 100000. This is assum-
ing that the present general pension law is
to remain in force.
But it is evident that the time has come
when new principle will soon be intro
dnced in pension legislation for soldiers of
che late war as 1t has been introduced al
ready for soldiers of the old wars. A multi
tude of bills have been introduced looking
to the payment Of pensions for service in the
war, whether the soldier was injured or not
Some OF the bills would give such service
pensions only to soldiers in need others
would give to all.
:, 1t seems probable that bill embodying
the service feature will pass this Congress :
but it will probabably be guarded so that 1t
will commend itself to the sense Of justice
and gratitude of those who receive the pen
sions. such bill has been introduced by
Mr.. Morrill,, chairman of the House Com
mittee on pensions, reported favorably from
committee; and seems likely to be the COM
ing solution of the pension question so far as
this Congress Is concerned
The bill Is quite. simple IN its, pro-
visions. 1t states that the Secretary of the
Interior shall place on the pension-roll the
name of any officer or enlisted man of sixty
two years of age or over, or who shall here
after reach that age who shall have served
ninety days or more in the army, navy or
war of the rebellion, and shall have received
an honorable discharge therefrom, said PEN
sion to commence from the date of the ap-
plication therefor and to continue during the
term of the life of said officer or enlisted man
at the rate Of eight dollars month.
This is the service pension for the survi-
vors.. For the widows the provision is made
as follows: THAT If any officer or enlisted
man who served three months or more in the
army or navy of the United States during
the late war of the rebellion, and who was
honorably discharged has died, or shall here
years, such widow shall, upon due proof Of
her husbands death, be placed upon the
pension roll from date of her application. at
the rate Of .$S per month, to continue during
her widowhoOd."
Another section provides that if any Off
Ger or enlisted man who served three months
or more in the army or navy of the United
States during the late war of the rebellion,
and who was honorably discharged has died.
or shall hereafter die. leaving widow with
labor, or minor children under the age of 16
years, such widow or minor children shall,
upon proof of her husbands death,
without proving his death to be
the result of his army service,
be placed on the pension roll from the date
per month during her widowhood, and in
case OF the death of the widow. leaving a
child, or children, under the age of 16 years,
such pension shall be paid such child or chill
dren; provided, that said widow shall have
married said soldier prior to the passage of
this act.
Still another section provides that all per-
sons who served 80 days or more in the army
or navy, and received an honorable discharge
and who may be suffering from disability
equivalent to the grade of rating now re-
ceiying $S month shall be put upon the
roll for So month. This act cannot, how
ever. be construed so as to give any one two
pensions.
A further provision limits the amount of
fees to the pension agents to five dollars in
each case.