The National tribune., 1904-06-02
The Provisions of the New Pension Law In
Regard to Government Aid.

Many comrades have asked what the
new law is as to withholding pensions of
inmates of Soldiers Homes. Ii is found in
the Sundry Civil Bill.H. II. 144l6-
which becomes effective July l, and reads:
For continuing aid To State or Terri
toriai Homes for the support of disabled
volunteer soldiers. in conformity with the
act approved Aug. -. 1883. including all
classes of soldiers admissible To the Ma
tional Home for Disabled Volunteer Sol
diers. $3.50. eco: Provided. That no part of
this appropriation shall he apportioned 10
any State or Territorial Home until its
laws, rules. or regulations respecting the
pensions of its inmates he made TO conform
to the provisions of section four of an
act approved March 3. 1882. entitled, An
Act prescribing regulations for the Sol
diers' Home located 1T Washington. in the
District of Columbia. and for other pur-
poses; but the above proviso shall not APP
ply to any State or Territorial Home into
which the wives or widows of soldiers are
admitted and maintained: And provided
further. That no part of this appropriation
shall he apPortioned to any State or Ter
ritOrial Home that maintains Il bar or
canteen where intoxicating liquors are
sold
The provisions of Section 4. Act of
March 3. 1882. are. that any pen>ioned in
mate of the Home WHO has Il living wife.
direct that his pension or any part of it
be paid to snch wife. child or parent: all
| una gned pensions for inmates to be paid
| TO the Treasurer of the Home: the money
| 10 be held in trust for the pensloner: the
| Board may, at its own discretion. from
| time to time pay To the penSinner any sum
or sums from the amount TO his credit: the
full amount OH hand Ia his credit shall he
paid to him upon his discharge from the
Home: but he shall not he entitled to de
mand the whole Willie he remains in the
Home. At his death any balance will be
paid To his heirs or legal representatives
The Act of Aug. p. 1888. provided that
thereafter the United States should pay To
every State and Territory maintaining
Homes for disabled Union Veterans of the
war against the rebellion. 500 year for
each Union veteran maintained in the
| Homes. There was no restriction. Some
States received the S1Go and also took the
pension paid to the inmates. For many
years Congress has legislated that half of
the pension so retained by the State should
he deducted from the 500: some Homes
have managed to make it appear that rot
over five per cent. of the pension was re-
| tanned. thus reducing the deduction to two
and Il half per cent. while. Il matter of
| fact practically all of the soldiers pension
| went to the Home. under one guise or an
other.
The present law will require that all
| Homes rot receiving and maintaining the
wives and widows of soldiers. shall 81
amend their rules of practice rs to con-
| form to the practice of the National Sol
| diers' Home nj Washington. That is. the
| Home Managers must receive all pensions
| for inmates and hold the money in trust.
| allowing small amounts for occasional
| emergencies until the pensioners dis
| charge. when the entire balance must he
paid to hin,-unlesS. in writing. he orders
| that his pension be paid. not 10 the Home
but to his wife or child or parent.
Congress has thus prohibited the States
| from employing pensions To maintain State
| institutions: and it forhids payment of
maintenance money TO any Home that sells
| intoyicautS to IFS inmates