The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-24
WILLIAM MCKINLEY,

Then, on motion OF MIR. Allison (Eep)
of Iowa, the senate at 3:25 p. m. ad-
journed until to morrow at noon.
THE NEW PENSION LAW.
1t Is More Complicated Than the One it
| Supersedes.
COLUMBIA, March 19.-The latest
pension law is creating more compI'
cations than the previous one, which
it was supposed 10 simplify. In fact
there are so many Irregularities and
inc nconsistencies in 1t that it is doubtful
if pensioners will get their money be-
fore some time in August, though
there is some chance of them getting
| it about the latter part of July. The
contemplation of the law is that pen
sioners should receive their quota IN
June, but in the new law the year is
made 1896 instead of 1897. This IS an
error from carelessness and will not
affect the payment in the least, but
there are other things to be considered.
The township boards are required to
meet on May 1 al the County Board
meets ten days late. All pensions al.
lowed will then have to pass the in
spection of the State Board, and as
there are so many Of them, 1t will be
utterly impossible to have the lists
ready by June 15, as required by law.
Another complication arises from
the formation of hew counties and the
division of townships AS it is likely
that but one or two of the new coun-
ties will be organized by May 1, it is
not known exactly what procedure
shall be taken towards organizing
county boards. Comptroller General
Norton is giving the subject serious
study and it may result in him ignor-
ing the fact that new COUNTIES have
been formed and have the townships
organize just as if they had not been
cut off from the original county,
Again, there are many townships,
especially in the lower section OF the
Estate, where there are practically no
Confederate soldiers, and if they do
not organize township boards the State
Board is required to do so. Thus the
latter board, before acting, will have
to ascertain all these facts and that
means further delay.
The State Board mad all its blanks
printed and sent out to the various
counties before the new law was pass.
ed, and these blanks had nothing about
township boards. Mr.. Norton hopes,
however, to make them answer all pur-
poses and save the printing of addi-
tionaI ones.
The whole machinery of the pension
department has to be done over by
reason of the new law and while there
was a great deal of kicking last year
over delays, there is likely to be a
mighty howl this year. But it can't
be helped.
The following is brief synopsis OF
R the law:
1. The surviving soldiers and sail
ors who were in the service OF the
Confederacy or the State during the
late war between the States are to
meet on a convenient day prior to
May, 1897, in the several wnshlps
Iof this State, and after organizing by
the election of chairman and secre.
Itary, they shall elect by majority
vote three of their members or reputa
BILE citizens who are not applicants for
pensions, who are to constitute the
examining board OF pensions for each
township.
| Q. The township boards are to elect
lone of their members as chairman.
| 3. All applications for pensions are
tn he made tn the township boards
Whose duty it shall be to decide tc
(which class the applicant belongs.
| 4. The several township boards are
| to meet before the first Monday IN
May, 1897, for the purpose of consid
ering applications, and within ter
Idays thereafter the county examining
board shall meet to settle all disputes
land contests.
| 5. In selecting pensioners from
Eamong the applicants, the board shall
have regard 10 their physical condi
ton and financial means, allowing tc
leach applicant so selected the sum o1
l$6, 81 and SO per month, as they may
| be entitled to under the law.
6. The members of the township
boards are to serve without compensa
ton.
i 7. The chairman of the township
boards are to meet at the county sea-
within ten days after their own elec
tion, and shall organize by electing
chairman and secretary. When or
Iganizsd they are to elect four of then
members and a regular practicine
physician, who are to constitute the
county examining board, which is tt
meet on the first Monday in May
1897.
8. The members of the County
Boards are to receive 81 per day ant
| 5 cents per mile one way, the per diem
and mileage not to exceed SS each II
year.
i 9. The pensions are to be paid no
later than June 15.-Register.
Chapce For Some Town.
] COLUMBIA, S. c., March ia
the annual meeting of the South Car
iolina State Teachers' aesociatiOn