The National tribune., 1900-05-24
Observation-Disclosures
LEGISLATION and Rulings OF Inter-
est TO Veterans.

MARINE CORPS.-On May 16 the Senate
passed without amendment the bill I'll. X.
96al removing the time limitation on the
filing Of applications for removal of charges
of desertion from the Navy and Marine
Corps in the war Of the rebellion, by amend
ing section Of the act of Aug. IA, 1883,
which expired by limitation on Aug. IA,
1893 The act of Aug. IA. 1888. with the
Limitation stricken off, reads as follows:
BE it enacted, etc, That the charge OF
deSertion now standing on the rolls ana
records Of the Navy or Marine Corps against
any appointed or enlisted man OF the Navy
or Marine Corps who served IN the late war
NAV in the discretion OF the Secretary OF the
Navy he removed in all cases where ii sllall
be made 10 appear TO the satisfaction OF the
Secretary of the Navy from such rolls ana
records or from other satisfactory eVl-
dence.
man served faithfully until the expiration
Of his term Of enlistment,
"Or until the first day Of May, 1865, hav-
ing previously sc we'd SIX months or more,
"Or was proven led from completing his
terms of service by reason of wounds re-
ceiyed or disease contracted in the line OF
duty, but who. by reason Of absence from
his command al the time he became entitled
to his discharge, failed to be mustered out
and to receive a discharge from the service:
provided. That no such appointed or
enlisted man shall be relieved under tins
section who, not being sick or wounded,
left his command, without proper au-
thority. while the same was III presence OF
the enemy.
Sec. ?. That the Secretary CT the Navy
is hereby authorized to remove the charge
of deserton standing on the rolls or records
of the Navy or Marine Corps against any
appointed or enlisted man of the Navy or
Marine Corps who served IN the late war,
i'll all cases where il shall be made to appear,
to the satisfaction of the Secretary OF the
Navy from SlIch rolls or from other salts
factory evidence,
That such appointed or enlisted man
charged with desertion or with absence
without leave. after such charge Of deSertlon
or absence without leave, and within
reasonable time thereafter, voluntarily
returned TO and served in the line OF ms
duty until he was mustered out Ct the ser
vice, and received certificate OF discharge
therefrom.
"Or while so absent. and before the eX
piration of his term Of enlistment. died
from wounds, injury, or disease received
or contracted in the service and III the line
of duty.
SEC. 3. That the charge of desertion now
standing on the rolls or records OF the Navy
or Marine Corps against any appointed
or enlisted man Cf the Navy or Marine
Corps who served in the late war, by reason
of his having enlisted at any station or on
board Of any vessel Of the Navy without
having first received a discharge from the
station or vessel in which he had previously
served, shall be removed in all cases wherein
If shall be made TO appear TO the satisfaction
of the Secretary Cf the Navy from such rolls
and records. or. from other satisfactory
testimony. that such re-enlisSmeEt was
not made for the purpose Of securing bounty
or other gratuity that he would not have
D., been entitled TO, had he remained under
his original term of enlistment:
provided, That no appointed or enlisted
man shall bereleVed under this act who, not
hai,1rr cisly or yf-p1lglIaH loft hIS nd
without proper authority while thesame was
i'll presence of the enemy, or who, at the time
Of leaving his command, was in arrest or
under charges, or in whose case the period
of absence from the service exceeded three
months.
Sec. 4. That in all cases where the
charge Of desertion shall be removed under
the provisions of this act from the record Of
any appointed or enlisted man Of the Navy
or Marine Corps who has not received a
certificate of discharge it shall be the duty
of the Secretary Of the Navy to issue to such
appointed or enlisted man, or in case of his
death. TO his heirs or legal representatives,
a certificate of discharge.
''Sec. >. That when the charge Of deser-
ton shall be removed under the provisions
of this act from the record of any appointed
or enlisted man of the Navy or Marine
Corps, such man. or, in case of his death,
the heirs or legal representatives Of such
man, shall receive all pay and bounty
WHICH may nave DSell Nltillltli OH dCcOuilJ
OF such charge Of desertion or absence with
out leave:
Provided, however, That this act shall
not be so construed as to give to any such
man as may be entitled TO relief under the
provisions of this act, or, Ill case of his
death, 10 the heirs and legal representa-
tves Of any such man, the right to receive
pay and bounty for any period Of time
during which such man was absent from
his command without leave of absence:
And provided further That no appoint
ed or enlisted man, nor the heirs or legal
representatives Of any such man, who
Served in the Navy or Marine Corps a
period Of less than six months shall be
entitled 10 the benefit Of the provisions of
this act. Elimination here stricken out
Sec. 6. That all acts and parts of acts
inconsistent with the provisions Of this act
are hereby repealed"
ADDITIONAL BRANCH, NATIONAL
MILITARY HoME.-On May Is the Senate
passed the bill IS. 3252) to establish a
Branch Of the National Home for disabled
Volunteer Soldiers at or near johnson
City, Washington Co., Tenn. The bill
yet requires the concurrence of the House
OF Representatives.
PRACTICE UNDER THE NEW PEN
EIoN LAW OF MAY g. 190O.-It is under
stood that no regulations or rules as to the
Interpretation OF the new pension law of
May 8, 1900, or the official practice there
under, may be looked for before two weeks
The Secretary Of the Interior will defer ac-
6on on the official recommendations Of the
Commissioner Of Pensions until the return
Of the Assistant Acknowledgement for the
interior Department, who will not return
Tor some 10 days.