Thomas County cat., 1890-05-08
The Morrill, Pension Bill Passed by
the House.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 2.-Mr. McKin-
ley, of Ohio, from the committee on rules,
reported provision providing for the lmme-
date consideration of the senate pension bill,
to which the Morrill, service pension bill may
be ordered as a substitute, the previous ques-
ton to be considered as ordered at O'Clock.
After lively debate the resolution was
adopted and Mr.. Morrill, took the floor in
favor of the bill.
This act of justice, he said, had been too long
postponed. If the government were to grant
a service pension it should grant it without
delay.
The total number of persons put upon the
pension roll under the provisions of the bill
was estimated at about 44O, 600, at an annual
cost of S31. .629, 600. The object of the bill
was to render aid to every soldier over 62
years of age, to every disabled soldier, with
out regard to age, and to widows of deceased
soldiers who needed assistance. Though the
government had not been niggdrdly to the
old soldier, it had not been extravagant. His
cid comrades were as loyal and true to-day
as when they left their homes and went to
battle, and those who were successful and
surrounded by the comforts of life and
health would forego any claim against the
government until their unfortunate comrades
were cared for.
Mr.. Tarsney, of Missouri, opposed the bill.
1t ought not to 60 into history, he said. un-
der the appellation of the ''MOrrill bill, p" but
under the appellation of the Immoral bill"
Mr.. Turner, of Kansas, said that justice,
humanity and gratitude demand service
pension.
On motion of Mr.. Cheadle, of Indiana, an
amendment (agreed to in caucus) was
adopted to the Morrill, bill. reducing the age
limitation from 62 to GO years of age.
The Morrill, bill was agreed to as substi-
tute for the senate bill-yeas 1S3. nays Il.
Mr.. YOder moved to recOmmitt the bill
with instructions to the committee on invalid
pensions to report back per diem pension
bill. The motion to recommit was lost
yeas 48, nays 161.
The senate bill as amended by the substi-
tute was then passed-yeas 40. nays 20.
The bill authorizes the secretary of the in
terror to place on the pension roll the name
of any officer or enlisted man of 90 years of
age or over, or who shall reach that age, who
served ninety days or more in the army, navy
or marine corps of the United States during
the war of the rebellion and have received an
honorable discharge therefrom, said pension
to commence from the date of the applca-
ton. and to continue during the term OF
the life of said officer or enlisted man at the
rate of So month. All persons who served
ninety days or more in the military or naval
service of the United States during the late
war of the rebellion, and who have been hon.
orably discharged therefrom, and who are
now, or may hereafter be suffering from
mental or physical disability equivalent to
the grade now established in the pension
office for the rating of So per month, upon
due proof of the fact according to such rules
and regulations as the secretary of the inte-
rior may provide, shall be placed upon the
list of invalid pensioners of the United States
at the rate of So per month. 1t also provides
for pension to the widow of any soldier
when she shall arrive at the age of GO years.
or when she shall be without other means of
support than her daily labor.