The morning times., 1896-01-17
PENSION laws PROPOSED.
Grand Army leaders Discuss
Some New Bills.
PENSION A VESTED RIGHT
Congressman OveFstreet's Measures
Were Discussed Last Night ana Are
to Be Urged Before Congress Today.
Gen. Walker, Conn mmander-in-Chief
OF the G. A. RddiSyin Appear.

Proposed pensioh la ws were discussed for
almost four hours by the legislation com :
mittee of the Gragd Army of the Republic
at the Ebbitt House last night.
Benjamin. Brooke Of Philadelphia, chair
man of the committee, presided, aud with
him were his fellow wcommitteenen, Gen. w.
W. Dudley of this citN, Alien ID. Shaw of
watertowD, N. Y, Gdh Walker of Indian
apolis, Commander-iu-chiefo OF the Grand
Army of the Republic; Adjutant General
Irwin Robbins OF Indianapolis, and Col.
W. H. Ketcham, the attorney general of the
HoOsier State.
He had been called heEe in reserence to
the Western Union 5ix cases before the
Supreme Court, but found time to take
part In the deliberations of the committee.
Before the meeting Gen. Walker held an
informal reception In the corridor of the
hotel and shook hauds with many men
wearing the button of the g. A. K. OF the
Loyal Legion. Congressman Steele, Wat
son, Hardy, Hemeuway, johnson, Henry,
Faris, Hatch, and others of the, Indiana
delegation in Congress greeted Gen. Walker.
OTHER VETERANS PRESENT.
Among the other prominent men wearing
the bronze button who called were Capt.
j. E. Everest of the national staff; Capt
John Merry of Iowa, member of the ex-
ecutire board OF the Vicksburg National
New York, Corporal Tanner, and Judge
Stanton j. Peelle of the court of claims.
Congressman John A. Picker, of South
Dakota, chairman of the Committee on
Invalid Pensions, and who has a bill which
proposes TO make a pension a vested right
was present Ia give his views. Congressman
Jesse Overstreet of indian na has two bills
of importance To the pensioners. One pro-
vides that all pensioners shall receive their
quarterly pa yment in the shape OF a check
sent through the mail to their homes.
The other seeks to make a pension a
vested right, but, unlike other measures
To the same purpose, IL provides system
of procedure before a pension can be re-
voked. Mr.. Overstreet was also on hand
to confer with the G. a. K. men and ex-
plain his bills.
. The discussion was general and covered
almost all the measures bearing upon
pension legislation now before Congress.
Both Congressman spoke in an informal
manner. The committee was favorabiy
impressed with the two measures or the
Indiana Representative, and Mr.. Picker
also believed that the shape in which Mr..
Overstreet has dra wD his bill, providing a
procedure for the revocation of pensions,
was more satisfa ctory thai the other
measures of the same kind already sub
| mitted.
PAYABLE BY CHECK.
The proposed legislation ma king pensions
| payable by check has met with universal
| favor. 1t is believed it will save many
| veterans from being swindled, and also
! lessen the temptation OF spending the pen
| sion money for drink if the money i'll the
| form of a check goes directly into the
homes of the old soldiers.
While the meeting last night was only
| preliminary, the legislative committee viii
| 20 before the Committee on Invalid Pen
sions at the Capitol today and urge the
| passage of certain measures Commander
| Walker, and probably Gen. Dudley and Col
Ketcham, will speak TO the committee
| They are expected TO urge The adoption OF
| both of Congressman Oyerstreets bills and
! they will also point out whatever proposed
| laws are deemed Objectionable TO the Grand
Army of the Republic. :, The legislative
| committee will remSin here until next week
! and on Monday Mr.. Overstreet will ad
| dress the Committee on Invalid Pensions
| in favor of the bill providing for the
| payment of pensionslby check.