Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-04-10
EDITORIAL NOTES.
The Dependent Pension Bill.

- ~ INAtN~itA INAi7ACti JIM ist2 lfo13NN
the Senate by vote of ~ to II. The
amendments proposed by Mr.. Plumb
of Kansas were rejected. The design
of these amendments was to take away
limitations as to arrears of pensions,
allowing them to date from the death
or discharge of the soldier when on ac-
count of wounds or injury or disease.
There was quite an animated discuss
ion in the Senate upon Mr.. Plumb's
amendment and some estimates made
of the extra cost. We do not propose
TO discuss this measure in this connec-
ton, but to give an abstract of il as it
is quite likely with some variations, to
become a law, provided any pension
bill becomes law. All pensions al
lowed under this bill will commence
from the date Of the filing of the appli-
cation. and will continue no longer than
the dependence remains. Where there
is no wife or minor child dependent the
parent or parents may come in for the
right to the pension to which the sold
Ter upon whom such dependence rests
was entitled to a pension. All persons
who served three months or more in the
army or navy during the late war Of
the rebellion,and who have been honor
ably discharged from the service, and
who are now or who may be hereafter
suffering from mental or physical disa-
bility, not the result of their own vic
ious habits, which disability is of such
a nature as TO render them incapable of
supporting themselves and who are de-
pendent upon their daily labor, or upon
the contributions of others, shall upon
proper application, be placed upon the
list ofinvalid pensioners and be entitled
to receive Sl2 per month, said pension
10 date from the filing of application
after the passage Of this act upon proof
that the disability then existed, and to
continue as long as the disability. Ii
is provided, however, that persons who
are now receiving pensions under ex-
isting laws, or whose claims are pend
ing in the pension office, may by appli-
cation to the commissioner of pensions
in such form as he may prescribe, show
ing themselves entitled to it, receive
the benefits of this act. There is moth |
ing in this act to prevent any pensioncr |
from prosecuting his claim and receiv-
ng his pension under any other act,
however, that no person shall
'eceive more than one pension for the
same period, and provided, further,
hat rank in the service shall not be |
considered in applications filed under
his act. 1t is further provided that
f any officer or enlisted man who serv
ID three months or more in the army
II navy during the late war of the re-
,ellion and who was honorably dis
.harped. has died. or shall hereafter
lie, leaving dependent wife, or minor
or father or mother, such de-
pendent persons shall be placed upon
he pension rolls and receive what such
,flicer or soldier would have received,
without regard TO the cause of his death,
provided that death was not due to any
-iolation Of civil or military laws or to
-icious habits, and that said widow
vas married to the deceased prior to
he passage of this act. This is to take
fleet from the death of the husbands
# such widow, but not dating back of
he passage of this act. The pensions
f minor children are to be advanced
rom 81 to 81 per month. Where
hid is idiotic or insane, the pension
hall continue through life or through
he period of disability. Any pension
gent shall be entitled to no more than
IN dollars for services in aiding to pro-
ure pension, and any person who !
iolates these provisions or wrongfully s
-ithholds from a pensioner or claimant
ne whole or part of any pension due
hall be deemed guilty of a misdemean- {
r and upon conviction shall. for every G
Ich ofiense be fined not exceeding $500 I
: be imprisoned at hard labor not ex-
.eding two wears, or both, al the dis =
elton of the court. This is the sub Il