The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-08-21
SECOND DAY.
THURSDAY. Anp. u. 1890.

THURSDAY, Aug. H. 1o9O.
The Commander in Chief called the Encamp-
mont to order at I0:45 and the Chaplain-in-
Chief offered prayer.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS.
Comrade Geo. s. Merrill, of the Committee
on Pensions, made the following report:
To the National Enoampment Of the Grand Army
OF the Republic: The Committee on Pensions APP
pointed under resolution Of the National En-
canpheut, herewith presents lis ninth annual re-
report.
In pursuance of the instructions of the last Ma
uonai Encampment, your committee proposed for
presentation to Congress two bills:
]. The disability bill, so many times indorsed by
tins body, providing pensions for all widows of
Veterans without regard to the origin of the disease
rom which the death occurred an increase for
minor children; pension for dependent parents
from date OF dependence whether existing before
or arising since the war, and pension for all vet
Grams who now may hereafter become 80
disabled ~ 10 prevent tile earning of "a livelihood.
2. per diem service pension OF a rate per month
equal To one cent for each days service with an
s. minimum limitation this to be an absoiute pen
son Tor service, and, therefore, in addition TO any
disability pension.
The committee has held six sessions during the
year aud on four occasions presented to the com
miltcCs and members OF Congress these two bills as
emhodying the desire OF the veterans Of the Re
public as to general pension Legislation No action
has yet been taken in relation To the service pension
bill.
Following the formal presentation Of the two
bills by your committee the Senate speedily pass
ell disability bill broad in many OF it, provisions
but containing a dependent clause. A different
bill was penuiug in the House, having no such pro-
who had reached the age of 90 years. Believing
that more satisfactory results could be reached
through committees of conference than in Rny
other way, your committee urged that the House
disngrce TO the Senate measure and pass its own
biil. which was doue. Neither OF these was the
bill Of your committee. but each included some
features thereof. Committees OF Conference hav-
ing been appointed, your committee requested a
hearing. which granted and subsequently a
"a and
on June =, by tine signature Cf the President be-
came law. This bii provides pension OF 6 per
month for all widows of veterans without reqt:r-
ing proof that the death of tEe soldier sailor WAS
occflsioned by reason Of any disability incurred
during the service. a pension OF Sl2 a month for
each dependent father or mother from date OF de-
pendence, instead Of a pension, as under the
former law, in case OF parents only when depend
ence existed at time Of death of the son; a pension
o from - to ST. per month for all veterans now or
hereafter disabled - 10 be naabe to earn n liv-
ing by manual labor without proof to connect such
disability with service.
Iuis law. while not in the precise form Of the
bill presented by yonr committee. preserves the
most important features thereof SO far as the SOL
der the sailor IL concerned IL contains no atIse
or requirement OF dependence. For this your
cOmmitce has from the beginning of the discus
sion earnestly Contended; aud disability bali con-
tanning 81 dependent clause ns applicable to the
veteran has ever had Endorsement. The new
law enables all pensioners receiving less than
S6 10 avail themselves OF the minimum provision
thus established, increasing ali lesser pensions 50
and wIpiug out the muitludinous smaller grades
with which the pension rolls have been distigured
While not just what asked, u Is the most
liberal pension measure ever passed by any leSis-
Intiye body ia the world and will place upon the
rolls All Oi the survivors OF the whose eondi-
hons oI health are not practically perfect
Tue COMMITTEES makes grateful acknowledgment
OF the earnest and sympatnizinS efforts IN the work
OF hhcTHitz'us the pension laws OF Hon. q. X Davis
OF Minnesota, Chairman Of the Senate COMMITTEES
on Pensions; also OF the uutirinE intelligent aud
successful work Of Hon. L. y. Morrill, OF kansas
Chairman OF the House COMMITTEES on Invalid
Pensions. to whom the Veterans owe an uumeas-
ured debt of gratitude.
The report OF one year ago presented the pFinci-
pal pension measures which have become law
through the advocacy of this committee since It's
organization, snd the Grand Army OF the Republic
Is now 10 be congratulated that the record of the
pension work the organization has 50 vigorously
pressed has become 50 nearly complete through
the enactment OF the disability bill. Not all that
We have desired. not all for which we have striven
has been accomplished during the existence Of this
committee. but there has, at least been an honest
and earnest effort 10 be OF service to the veterans
OF the Republic. The work of the committee is
necessarily exacting and the Chairman after nine
years service, aud Comrades kountz Burst and
Fairchiid, members for successive terms feel that
the right TO retire has been fairly earned and will
positively decline n rcappOinlmenL
Respectfully submitted,