The National tribune., 1893-09-07
SENATOR GALLINGER,s BILL.

The junior Senator from New Hampshire
| on Monday last introduced the following
bill IS, 843), which was read second time
| and referred to the Committee on Pensions ::
BE IL enacted etc. Sec !. That in the administra-
ton of the of June q. $780, by the Secretary of
the Interior and the Commissioner OF Pensions and
in the rating of pensions Hereunder. all claimants
| showing mental physical disability of per-
manent character. not the result of their own
vicious habits, and which incapscitates them from
the performance of manual labor. rendering them
unable to earn a support from such manual labor
in such degree would be rated. under former
laws and the rules and regulations of the Pension
Office existing at the date Of the passage of said
Of June q 1890, at above S. per month"; shall
be rated proportionally in the manner as like
disabilities of service origin proportonslly
rated and all claimants showing a pensionabe
disability, which, If of service origin. would be
rated at above Sl2 per month. shall be rated at
Sl2 per month.
Sec q Whenever In consideration of pension
claims under the act Of June 81 1890, the claimant
has shown that he is disabled by more than one
wound injury, or disease, pensionable under said
act the accumulated degree of disability arising
from all of said separate disabilities shall be the
measure of the rating of the pension granted, as
provided in the preceding section.
Sec. 3. The Commissioner of Pensions shall have
power heretofore to establish at points most
convenient for pensioners and applicants for pen
sion Examining Boards of three Surgeons each for
the examination Of applicants for pension. In
selecting the members for said board, Surgeons
having had military naval service in the Army
Navy of the United States shall be preferred for
appointment as far practicable: Prorided hotc-
ever, That such boards be constituted far prae-
ticabe of Surgeons who belong to different politi-
cal parties
Sec. 4. That whenever the certificate of a Board
OF Examining Surgeons shall show that n claimant
for pension under the act Of June 81 $780, is suffer
ing from disabilities which, in their opinion, prob
ably resulted from the vicious habits of the claim
ant. such shall be placed in the hands of
Special Examiner of the Pension Bureau who
shall make impartial examination into the facts
of the case. mt which special examination the
claimant shall have full opportunity of being pres
ent, confronting and cross-examining the witnesses
against him. and of introducing witnesses in his
own behalf When the report of the Board of Ex-
aminirg Surgeons shall show that the disabilities
found are in their opinion, the result of causes not
refcrable to the claimants vicious habits such dis
abilities shall be presumed to be resultant from
pensionable causes.
Sec s. Except in case of established fraud, no
pension shall be suspended. withheld withdrawn,
or reduced, except after 90 days written notice
served upon the pensioner and full and impartial
hearing and investigation had upon sworn testi-
nnouy: Provided, hOWerer. That the certificate of
duly-appointed Medical Examining Board may be
used in evidence without the same being verified
by the oaths of the members of such Board sign
ing the same.
If any Interpretation of the law of June
81, $780, is necessary for the future guidance
of the Commissioner of Pensions and the
Secretary of the interior, this bill supplies
it. 1t embraces all we have contended for,
and will receive the approval of the friends
of the veterans everywhere.
While it is true that the officials have
somewhat modified their original views
about the definition of the word disabled"
and have turned their faces towards the
rising instead of the setting sun, yet it is well
that the law be made so plain that " he who
runs may read" and thus turn the sufferings
and calamities which have followed these
many suspensions and reflections into re-
ioicings and blessings.
This bill should be promptly enacted into