Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-03-13
CAMPFIRE STORIES.
HISTORY OF PENSIONS.
An Interesting Essay Recently Read by
General %. %. Howard.

y
on Governors Island
He gave a historical sketch % pension
legislation since ls76. making a marked
distinction between invalid pensions
including pensions to widows ana chill
dren under IL. Of deceased soldiers, and
service pensions, 70 all the survivors OF
a war or their widows
After the war of the revolution. in
valid pensions Of = a month for total
disability we're paid 70 enlisted men,
with half pay 10 officers disabled to the
same extent.
Thirty-fve years after The close OF the
war service pension was granted to
the INDECENT Of so per month to officers
and $ TO enlisted men. The INDECENT
pensions failed to reach many of the
most deserving. and door was opened
to numerous abuses and imposition.
Ten years later. or forty-fiye after the
war, full-pay pension was granted to
all survivors who had served TO the end
of the war-the highest pay not 10 ex-
coed that Of captain
-Four years later, or fortv-nine years
after the war, this pension was extended
to all survivors.
The amount Of money paid on account
OF Revolutionary pensions has been
about SIS 500, 900
The invalids aud widows received the
same pensions after the war of 1912 as
in the Revolutionary war until 1916,
when the pensions Of subalten officers
were increased the highest not TO ex-
coed Sl1-and enlisted men to = per
month for total disability These rates
to be divided FOR lesser injuries.
The first service pension of the war Of
1872 was granted In ISL, fftf-seven
years after the war This Na, IS per
month 10 All officers and enlisted men
who had served sixty DAYS and 10 Wild
ows who had married hcsarc II Proof
Of loyalty was required
In ISIS the. conJi tton, 81 LOYALTY and
marriage previous 81 the war were re-
moved and the time reduced rs fourteen
days or a battle. The widows pensions
we're increased in lss6 Is ~ per month
The service pension, alone for this war
have cost S36.&l0, 256.0t
The Mexican war pensions have hoen
the invalid pensions. and since 1887.
thirty-nine years after the war. service
pensions. The invalid pensions were at
the $ rate for enlisted men. and half
pay for officers. not exceeding $50 per
month. The cost Of the service pensions
for this year viii be Sl3.00o. 600
The regular army pensions have been
the same as f6r volunteers with invalid
pensions alone in time 81 peace
Now there are ta2 grades OF pensions
between 81 and So per month The
largest number of beuefeiaries are at -
per month. 69.2lu; the next largest, 6S,
l42, at $.
In the war 81 the rebellion lie volun.
teers were secured by law at the time of
enlistment the same pensions enjoyed
by the regular army s. per month for
enlisted men for total disability, and
not to exceed thirty for officers, and less
rates for smaller hurts
On account Of the abundant legisla-
tion and the prevailing desire To meet
cases of great hardship. the Old system
OF rating the disability Of men disabled
in the war of the rebellion has of late
years been departed from. The gradual
lifting up Of the amounts allowed for
the various specific disabilities has at
last virtually overturned all the regu-
lar arrangement.
An instance from table gives loss Of
both hands iii 1854. raised from s. flor
total disability to So in 1877 to sSi y.
in 1874 TO $50. in is1s % 81 and in $50
10 500 per month
Our laws nov make rate OF * for to-
tai disability, with Intermediate rates
OF Sis and 81 and $50 fortotal disability
to perform any manua labor They
give $50 for disabled condition requir-
ing the regular aid Of another person.
and If this amount was asked for before
June 49, 1850 it has been Increased to
So; but those nho have filed their
claims since receive but so month
There are S,370 special acts granting
pensions TO persons not entitled 10 pen
sions under the general law II is owl
dent that great inequalities and conse-
quent injustice have grown out Of at
tempts to remedy existing specific evils
and individual misfortuneS Pensions
from the rebellion have already cost up
ward OF 81 200, 600 600
The Pension Bureau and Is agencies
aggregate over 4,0o0 employees under
Commissioner, and the expenses for
ISIS were s.. 20, 52467
Pensions paid that year amounted to
So. OBS, 3S6. -. 81 per cent Of the entire
expenditures Of the government.
The classes entitled to pensions are.
/. Invalid pensioners. Widows.
3. Dependents 1 Service pensioners
OF war Of 1872 and Mexican war.
1t has been the intention, without re-
gard Is party division to deal a, liberal
" as practicable with the nations de-
tenders
Some 81 The causes of irregularities
and injustices have been given A com
mission Of seven members or more Of
the wisest and best men Of great legal
and judicial experience is suggested TO
revise and codify all pension legislation
and regulations and ~ draw such appro-
pirate bills as would bodys he evident
intention Of the nation 50 be submitted
for re-review by Congress and the Ex-