The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-01
THE NEW PENSION LAW.
Document of Considerable Interest to
Old Confederates.

..
+ tn onr readers in full. 1t is as fol-
lows:
sons soldiers and sailors, now resi-
dents of South Carolina, who were in
the service of the State or of the Con-
federate States in the late war between
the States shall be entitled to receive
from the Treasurer of the State a
monthly payment of eight, or six, or
four dollars, to be paid in the manner
and on the terms and conditions here
matter set forth.
''Sec. $40. In order to obtain the
benefit of this Chapter. such soldier or
sailor must show: First. That he
was a bona fde soldier or sailor in the
service of the State of South Carolina
or of the Confederate States in the war
between the States. Second: That
while in such service he lost a leg or an
arm, or received other bodily injury
whereby he has become disabled.
Thiru..That neither himself nor his
wife is receiving an income exceeding
the amount of two hundred and fifty
dollars per annum; or that he shall
show that he has reached the age OF
sixty years, and that neither himself
nor his wife is receiving an annual ln-
come of one hundred dollars from any
source: provided, however, That
the widows of Confederate soldiers and
sailors now residents of this State who
have reached the age of sixty years,
and who are not receiving or enjoying
the benefit of an annual income OF one
hundred dollars from any source, and
the widows of soldiers and sailors as
provided in Section 954 of the Revised
Statutes of 1893 shall be entitled to re-
ceive the benefits OF this Chap
ter.-The word income, as above
used, shall be held to include
the gross amount received as
wages, salary or from any other source.
The persons entitled to pensions under
the provisions of this Act shall be paid
the amounts hereinafter set forth, to-
wit:
a. All soldiers and sailors who
have lost both arms or both legs, or
sight, or who are physically helpless,
the sum of eight (S dollars per month.
b. All soldiers and sailors who
lost one arm or one legln said service,
the sum of six (6 dollars per month.
c. All other persons entitled to pen
sions under the provisions of this Act,
the sum of four (4 dollars per month.
Provided, however, that should the
sum provided by law for payment OF
pensions be found insufficient to pay
all pensioners in full the State Board
of Pensions shall be empowered to re-
duce the rates herein provided, and to
pro rate the same in such manner as
will restrict the total amount disbursed
within the amount appropriated: Pro
vided, further, That all persons who
are Included in class shall first re-
ceiye the full amount therein stated. "
Sec. 943. The said applications
shall be submitted in each county OF
the State to Board, composed of two
ex-Confederate soldiers or sailors Ito
be chosen as hereinafter prov1ded),
the County Auditor, the County
Treasurer and regular practicing
physician the latter to be selected by
the other members of the BoardD and
said Board of five persons shall be
known as the County Examining
Board of Pensions The said Board
shall meet on the third Monday in
April in 1896 and on the third Monday
in January in each succeeding year
for the purpose of considering the ap-
plications for pensions provided for in
this Act. It shall be their duty to ex-
anime each applicant under rules and
regulations prescribed by the Secretary
of State, the Attorney General and
Comptroller General, who are hereby
created a State Board of Pensions
and they shall certify their approval
to said State Board of Pensions, Civ
ing in detail the reasons which in
huenced them to grant or oppose each
application, accompanied by all the
evidence upon which they made their
decision. After first being duly sworn
fairly and impartially to discharge
the duties herein prescribed for them
to the best of their ability, and after
said oaths are duly filed in the Office
of the Clerk of Court. the members of
said County Examining Board of
Pensions shall meet as soon as practi-
cable for the discharge of the duties
imposed upon them.
In selecting pensioners from among
the applicants the Board shall have
regard to their physical condition and
financial means, and also to the fnan-
cial condition of their near relatives,
allowing to each applicant so selected
the sum of eight (8, six (G, or four
(4) dollars per month, as they may be
entitled under the provisions of this
Act. Four members of said board
shall constitute quorum. A malorl-
ty of the members of the board pres
ent may determine any matter pre-
sented TO them. subject, however, to
the right of review by the State Board.
AS soon as such County Board COM
pletes its list as above, giving the
names of the pensioners, their resi-
dences and the amount per month to
which they are entitled, they shall
certify the same to the State Board of
Pensioners, to be reviewed by them.
The State Board of Pensions shall
thereupon pass upon the names con-
tanned in said lists, and shall certify to
the Clerks of the Courts of the various
Counties the lists of the names and
amounts approved by them, and said
Clerks of Court shall record the same
in a book; and said roll so made up
shall be designated Approved Pen
sion Rolls for IS and such per-
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