2d Session.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

APRIL 16, 1880.-Ordered to be printed.

No. 493.

Mr. WITHERS, from the Committee on Pensions, submitted the following

REPORT:

The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the petition and bill granting arrears of pension to Thomas Burroughs, Company G, First Vermont Volunteers, have carefully examined the same, and report:

That the pensioner was granted a pension by special act of 3d March, 1879, his claim having previously been rejected by the Pension Office because of inability to furnish the proof required of disability originating in the service and in the line of duty. Congress, notwithstanding this defect in evidence, deeming the claim meritorious, granted relief under special act, but as the arrears of pension act is made applicable only to cases where the proof is conclusive and satisfactory to the Commissioner of Pensions, the committee do not deem it expedient to extend its benefits to pensioners whose claims were not thus fully proven. They therefore ask that the bill and petition be indefinitely postponed.

2d Session.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

APRIL 16, 1880.-Ordered to be printed.

No. 494.

Mr. KIRKWOOD, from the Committee on Pensions, submitted the fol

lowing

REPORT:

The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Samuel B. Brightman asking for arrears of pension from June 24, 1864, have carefully examined the same, and report :

That petitioner was granted a pension commencing February 19, 1879, at the rate of $5 per month. He asks arrears of pension at the rate of $15 per month from June 26, 1864, the date of his discharge.

The committee are of opinion that if he is entitled to arrears of pension under the act granting arrears of pension passed in 1879 he should make his application to the Pension Office, and that if he is not so entitled, the Congress should only grant further arrears by general law and not by special act, and therefore ask to be discharged from further consideration of the petition.