The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-28
interesting Figures Compiled
by Auditor Aver.
HISTORY OF PENSION LAW
CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS GET
TING 500, 1870 ANNUALLY.
OR S766,l3 DURING PAST NINE YEARS
During the Past Eighteen Years 1886, 336
Has Been Paid Out by the State Of North
Carolina to Its Wounded Con-
federate Soldiers,

federate Soldiers.
The State Auditor has prepared the
following interesting figures regarding
the pension list and appropriation in
this State:
The facts speak for themselves, and
no comment is necessary.
The following is given out from that
office:
% In 1870 the General Assembly enacted
q law providing for the payment of
$4,000 per annum to such Confederate
soldiers as had lost their sight, or both
hands, or both feet, while engaged in
the service of the Confederate army
also providing Communication in linn
tied way for lost limbs. This Act re-
manned in force for four years, during
which time an aggregate of $4,000 was
paid out. The annual average expendl-
lures was $2,5O000, paid to an average
of twenty-five soldiers, who received
$4,000 each per annum.
In 1883 the Act referred to above was
amended so as to make the annual ap-
preparation to each totally disabled
soldier, $4,000 per annum. During the
fifteen years in which this Act has been
in force, there has been paid out an
aggregate sum of S62,000.OO. The an
nual average expenditure has been $4,-
10000, paid to an annual average of 81
soldiers, who received $4,000 each per
annum. In addition to this, the amount
paid out for Communication of lost limbs,
has amounted to 50, 223.00.
In 1885 the General Assembly passed
IN Act apprOpriating a sum not exceed
ing $4,000, as a pension fund to be
paid to soldiers who were wounded
II disabled while in Confederate service,
md to widows of soldiers. This Act
remained in force for five years, during
which time the aggregate sum of $149,-
303.46 was disbursed for pensions. The
average annual disbursement was 500,
S60.69 distributed among an annual ay-
arage of 3,033 pensioners. The average
amount received by each pensioner, was
1854 per annum.
H. In 1885, the existing general pension
'aw was repealed, and one substituted
creating a special tax on general and
personal property for the purpose of
creating larger pension fund. This
law provided for the classification of
pensions as follows:
b First Class-Such as received a wound
rendering them totally Incompetent to
perform manual labor.
Second Class-Such as lost leg above
knee, or an arm above elbow.
Third Class-Such as lost a limb be-
low knee, or below elbow.
Fourth Class-Such as lost one eye,
or were otherwise disabled.
Provision was made by this Act for
pensioning widows Oh Confederate sol
diers who died in consequence of
wounds received while in Confederate
service, or in consequence of disease con-
tTacted while in said service.
Widows are rated as fourth class
pensioners. The purpose of the Act was
to pay the following rate of pensions:
First Class-S100.00
Second Class-$75.0O.
Third Class-$50.00
Fourth Class-S25.00
WidOws-$25.00.
But it is provided that in case a
sufficient sum is not realized to pay
the amount specified to each class, such
amount as may be realized shall be paid
pro rata. No time has the full amount
for each class been paid. The general
average has been about as follows:
First Class-$6000.
Second Class-$45.00.
Third Class-$3000.
Fourth Glass $500.
During the nine years during which
this Act has. been in force, there has
been an aggregate expenditure under its
provisions, of $766, 1905. The annual
average expenditure has been 800, 1913.
THE annual number of pensioners has
been 4,STS, and the average annual
amount received by each pensioner has
been $3.50.
SUMMARY.
niShurcad undar tho A Of of