The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-17
C. A. R.MfN SEEK
ST. PENSION IN FOR ALL
Posts of State Are Asked to
Call on. congressman to
Support the Move.

Orders Will be issued today by Capt.
Isaac l.. Mahan, department command
er for the state of Minnesota of the G..
A. r., calling upon every post in the
state to pass resolutions asking con-
SreSS to institute the service pension
bill for Civil war veterans recommend
ed at the last national encampment of
the Grand Army at San Francisco.
The bill provides pension of $12 a
month for every veteran of the Civil
war who served at least ninety days, is
past s1xty-two years of age and re-
ceived an honorable discharge, and for
similar pension for widows of all
veterans who We're married previous
to June 81, 1885,
Capt Mahan's orders will contain a
full statement ofsthe action at the ma
tional encampment and a copy of the
resolution. The posts are requested to
forward copy of their resolutions to
the congressman of their district and
also to Commander Mahan, who will
submit all received from the state to
the senator's and President Roosevelt.
The resolution plan was decided
upon at the national encampment, when
the veterans united for the first time
in recommending a service pension bill.
Gen. John c.. Black, national COM
mander-in- chief, has issued orders in
viting posts to take action on the mat
ter and to communicate with the con-
gressmen from their district. Not only
do the Grand Army men desire to ask
the congressman and senators to act in
the matter, but they will endeavor, by
submitting copies of resolutions passed
by almost every G.. A. r. post in the
country, to induce President Roosevelt
to incorporate a recommendation of
the bill in his next message to con-
gress.
The Minnesota veterans, according to
Capt. Mahan, will probably be unani-
nous in indorsing the proposed bill.
There are 10 posts, representing over
1000 men.
Minnesota Congressman Favor It.
Although Minnesota will give unan-
imous support to the BILL" said Capt.
Mahan yesterday to T he Clio b e,
there viii sabe little need of it in this
state, as l am told that every member
of the congressional delega ton favors
its passage. We, however. want to join
forces with the other states where the
proposed law: does not find such favor.
We do not expect any trouble in get
ting it passed by congress, as the Grand
Army, for the first time since its or
ganization, is united on this pension
service bill. ~. r.g~-sa-
"The new bill will not Interfere with
beneficial provisions of the present
laws. What we want is to have con-
gress pass a bill giving every veteran
who served ninety days, is now past
sixtyrtwo years of age and was honor
ably discharged, and who is not now
receiving a pension $12 "a month"; Vet
Grams desiring larger pensions because
of then. being .invalidS will secure them
by special acts of congress, as at pres
ent. If the proposed bill is passed the
$12 a month may drop their old pen
sion and receive one under the, new
law. The applicants will not have to
stand any medical examination" but
simply show. their honorable discharge
and prove that they are past sixty-two
years of age"
Would Increase Pension Fund $57 800
~ aaa -. 600.
The proposed bill will mean that the
names of close to 100000 veterans of
the great War of the Rebellion will be
added to the pension rolls; meaning an
increase of nearly $57,600,000 per an
mum in the pensions paid to Civil war
veterans. AT the present time there are
712,002 Civil war veterans, who, as in
valids, are drawing pensions from the
government. Besides, the government
pays pensions to ,.251,952 widows and
children of the Civil war veterans. The
pension list will not be Increased very
materially by the provision for widows,
as their pensions have not been diff
cult to secure under the old laws, and
nearly all those eligible are receiving
them.
A large number of men in Mime
sofa will be benefited by the act, as
there are nearly a third of the vet
Grams now residing in the state who do
not receiver pensions. AT the present
time there arei 1876 pensioners in the
state. ~
The proposed act, the promoters be-
lieve, will mean a great saving in the
expense ofsgFunning the pension de-
partment. 1t will do away with a large
portion Of itEeS special examiners, pen
sion agents, medical examiners and
the numerous force of clerks in the de-
partment. af7Washington, as the gov
eminent Will only have to keep force
large enough to send out drafts each
month to those entitled to pensions, in
the same mariner as the government
employees are paid. 1t cost the gov
eminent in 1902 1881, 1885 to conduct
the pensionEdepartmen
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