CHAP. 187.--An act making appropriations for the payment of the arrears of pensions granted by act of Congress approved January twenty-fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there be and hereby is appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the following sums namely: For the arrears of pensions due on claims in which the pensions were allowed prior to January twenty-fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, twenty-five million dollars; the amounts paid out respectively for Army and Navy pensions to be accounted for separately to the proper accounting officers of the Treasury Department. For pensions for Army and Navy invalids, widows, minors and dependent relatives for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, one million eight hundred thousand dollars in addition to the amounts heretofore appropriated for those purposes, the amounts paid out on account of Army and Navy pensions respectively to be accounted for separately to the proper accounting officers of the Treasury Department. For temporary clerks in the Pension Office and for furniture, rent of additional rooms and other contingencies fifty-two thousand two hundred dollars in addition to the appropriations which have been or shall be made under other acts the same to be available until June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and eighty: Provided, That no more than three thousand five hundred dollars shall be used for furniture, contingencies and rent.
The pension agents shall receive for their services and expenses in paying the arrears upon pensions allowed previous to January twenty- [page 470] fifth eighteen hundred and seventy-nine including postage on the vouchers and checks sent to the pensioner, thirty cents for each payment; and the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated for the payment of the same.
That the rate at which the arrears of invalid pensions shall be allowed and computed in the cases which have been or shall hereafter be allowed shall be graded according to the degree of the pensioners [sic] disability from time to time and the provisions of the pension laws in force over the period for which the arrears shall be computed.
That section one of the act of January twenty-fifth, eighteen-hundred and seventy-nine, granting arrears of pensions shall be construed to extend to and include pensions on account of soldiers who were enlisted or drafted for the service in the war of the rebellion, but died or incurred disability from a cause originating after the cessation of hostilities; [sic] and before being mustered out: Provided, That in no case shall arrears of pensions be allowed and paid from a time prior to the date of actual disability.
SEC. 2. All pensions which have been, or which may hereafter be, granted in consequence of death occurring from a cause which originated in the service since the fourth day of March, eighteen hundred and sixty one, or in consequence of wounds or injuries received or disease contracted since that date shall commence from the death or discharge of the person on whose account the claim has been or is hereafter granted if the disability occurred prior to discharge, and if such disability occured after the discharge then from the date of actual disability or from the termination of the right of party having prior title to such pension: Provided, The application for such pension has been or is hereafter filed with the Commissioner of Pensions prior to the first day of July eighteen hundred and eighty, otherwise the pension shall commence from the date of filing the application; but the limitation herein prescribed shall not apply to claims by or in behalf of insane persons and children under sixteen years of age.
SEC. 3. Section forty-seven hundred and nine of the Revised Statutes is hereby repealed.
Approved, March 3, 1879.