Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-01
DEPENDENT PENSION BILL
Passed by the Senate, AZ to 12-Its
Provisions-Points from the Debate.


The Senate yesterday afternoon passed the
dependent pension bill by vote of AZ to II. as
| follows:
ieas-Messrs. Allen, Allison, Blair, Call
Casey, Chandler, Davis, Dawes, Edmunds,
Faulkner. Frye, George, Gibson, Hawley,
Hearst, Higgins, Hoar, Ingalls,, Jones (Nev.),
| Mcpherson, Henderson, Mitchell, Moody, Nor
riil, Paddock, Payne, Pettigrew, Pierce, Plat,
| Plumb, Sawyer, Sherman, Spooner, Squire,
Stewart Stockbridge, Teller Turpie. Voor-
| bees, Walthall Washburn, Wilson Qowa)-42
Nays-Messrs. Bate, Berry, Blackburn, Cock
| rell, Colauitt, Daniel, Harris, Jones ARK,
Pugh, Reagan, Vest Wilson md ia
THE DEBATE.
Previous to its passage there was lengthy
| debate. Senator Plumb's amendment remov-
| ing the limitation as to arrears OF pensions was
defeated-yeas, 8: nays, 46-on the ground that
| it might involve the expenditure of from
| 5000, 900 900 to 81, 900. 600, 600.
Mr.. Blair said the question was not whether
the amount was large or small, but whether it
was debt. Why could it not be paid? Had
| the time passed when the republic was without
credit to hire the necessary money! Could not
bonds be issued to pay the debt? It was time
to call halt OH all such low. selfish and devil
| ish considerations as were raised against the
payment of that debt.
Mr.. Frye said there was danger of over
leaping i'll the matter of pensions. When Mr..
Cleveland commenced to veto pension bills the
democratic party ratified what he did, and not
only the democratic party but many of the
business men in the republican party too. He
said to Senators who were pressing the amend
ment that they were imperilng the truest in
terests of the soldiers and were creating preu-
dices against pensions. If the amendment were
adopted and the bill enacted in a law the
soldiers who looked forward to o service pen
sion bill would look in vain. He dared not
vote fo- proposition that, he believed, would
be absolutely destructive to the best interests
of the soldiers. and he should be compelled to
vote NO on the amendment.
Mr.. Hawley expressed his personal obligation
to Mr.. Frye for telling the serious truth in the
matter. He did not believe that the American
soldiers asked for the amendment. He would
stake his political standing on the assertion
that out of any five hundred old soldiers there
would be found majority against it. Head
long extravaganza would bring men into power
who would stint and squeeze and deny the SOL
der. There was a limit in the matter of pen
sion legislation.
Mr. Vest offered an amendment providing
that the money necessary to meet the appro-
priation under this bill shall be raised by an
income tax OF per cent on incomes between
$4,000 and $4,000, ~ per cent between 5000
and $4,000 and 10 per cent over slOO, 900.
This amendment was laid on the table by q
party vote of 90 to II.
Not a: all discouraged by the fate of his other
motion to amend Mr.. Plumb offered another
amendment TO pension, at the rate of So per
month, all who served ninety days in the late
war who are sixty-two years of age, or as they
attain that age. This too was defeated-yeas
19, nays 80.
THE BILL PROVIDES
that in considering the pension claims Of de-
pendent parents it shall be necessary only to
show by competent and sufficient evidence that
II,
of support than their own labor. the contribu-
tons of others not legally bound for their sup
port: provided, that all pensions allowed to
dependent parents under this act shall COM
mence from the date of the filing of the applI.
cation hereunder, and shall continue no longer
than the existence of their dependence.
Section provides that all persons who
served three months or more in the military
or naval service of the United States during the
late war Of tho rebellion. and who have been
honorably discharged therefrom, and who are
now, or who may hereafter be suffering from
mental or physical disability. not the result of
their own vicious habits. which incapacitates
them from the performance of labor in such a
degree as to render them unable to earn a sup
port, and who are dependent upon their daily
labor, or on the contributions of others not
legally bound thereto, for their support shall,
upon making due proof Of the fact according
to such rules and regulations as the Secretary
OF the Interior may provide, be placed upon
States and be entitled to receive S12 per month.
Section provides for pensions to widows,
minor children, or mother or father at the
established rates.
Section says that from the date of the
passage of this act the increase of pensions for
minor children shall be at the rate of "a per
month instead Of 50 per month, as now pro-
vlded by law; and in case minor child is
insane, idiotic or otherwise helpless. the PEN
sion shall continue during the life of said child
or during the period of such disability.
Section limits the attorneys fee in any one
case to SIG and any person who shall. violate
any of the provisions of this section or who
shall wrongfully withhold from pensioner or
claimant the whole or any part of a pension or
claim allowed or due such pensioner or
claimant under this act shall be deemed guilty
OF misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof
shall TOR each and every such offense be fined
not exceeding $500, or be imprisoned at hard
labor not exceeding two years, or both in the
discretion Of the court.