Mr. PERHAM. vI was just about to state what would be an answer to that question, and would have stated it in a few moments longer. During the present Congress, upon an investition of the subject the ComInvalid pensions ascertaine that there are a very large number of persons who are equall disabled with those who have lost both hands, or both feet, or both eyes; for instance, persons who had lost the use of both feet or both legs, were excluded under the ruling of the Dept, and perhaps very properly under the law. It was also found that there were a great many persons who had lost neither their eyes nor eet, who were still suffering under as severe disabilities as any who had suffered that less. Therefore the committee agreed to extend the provisions of the law in this manner. And the bill recently passed repeals the provisions of the old law, which provided that those who have actually lost their feet or eyes, &c., shall have an increase of pension, and provides in lieu of that that those who have lost their eyes or their feet, or the use of the same, &c., should have an increase of pension. And it also extends the same pension to those whose disability may be equivalent to such loss, leaving it to the ComrPensions to determine what shall be regarded as the relative disability. The some not also provides that those who are under such a disability as by the old law would entitle them to receive a pension of 20 dollars permonth, shall still receive that pension, notwithstanding the may not have actually lost their feet, or han, or eyes, provided they have lost the use of their feet or their hands. The act also provides that in all caSes where the disability may be equivalent to those named in this class, the same pension shall follow. The not also provides that in all cases where an individual has lost one hand or one foot, or where the disability, in the judgment of the Commissioner, may be equivalent to that loss, the pension shall be increased to 15 dollars permonth. That increases the pension to 15 dollars permonth of a large portion of the cases of persons who are entitle under the old law to 8 dollars permonth. This not also extends the provisions of the pension law to officers who were killed in service atter they were commissioned, but who were in such kind of service, so far away from the proper mustering officer, that it was impossible for them to be properly mustered in; 'ving them apension according to the rank for which they were actually commissioned. It also extends the provisions of the pension law to soldiers who were absent on sick fur lough; lacing them on the same footing as those who were in camp or in the field. It also extends the provisions of the pension law to teamsters, Wagoners, artificers, hospital stew ards, and all other enlisted men, however employed. It also repealsthat provision of the law and now I answer the nestion of the Gentfrom Michigan [Mr. ‘nowualnofl which excludes pensioners who are in the civil service from the right to draw their pensions. It also provides that claims for pensions and pension money shall be exempt in all casesfrom attachment or seizure. And now the committee are of opinion that in this direction, so far as this particular class of persons are concerned, the pension law has been extended about as far as is well to extend it at the present Congress. But there seems to be another class of persons who demand our attention, another call for the discharge of this debt of gratitude to those heroes of the Republic, which, in the opinion of the committee, the people, the tax payers of the country, will be gla to meet. I allude to that class of widows who have large families of children dependent upon them for support. A young WidOW, in good health, with no children dependent upon her for support, may be able to get along very well with a pension of 8 dollars permonth. But for a widow with 4 or 5, or 6 or 8 or more small children dependent upon her for support, a pension of but 8 dollars permonth seems to be but a very small pension, indeed; a pension which in the opinion of the committee ought to be increased, and therefore the committee have reported this section of the bill, which provides an increase of pension of 2 dollars permonth in addition to the pension already granted to the widow, for each child dependent upon such widow for support. It also provides the same increase of pension to orphan children. And we have also reported a section, in accordance with the instructions of the House, extending the provisions of the pension law to those who have been in the provost marshafs dept the same as though they were in the military service of the Government. And now I wish. to say, in regard to this subject, that, under the present aw, before the passage of the last law, our pensions amounted to about 16 million ollars perannum. We are now paying, I believe, at the rate of about 18 million dollars perannum, a portion of it being for back pensions; but the egitimate expenses of the Government for pensions is about 16 million dollars perannum. It is estimated that the bill already passed, and the bill now pending, if it should pass, will increase the amount of pensions about 6 million dollars perannum, making the total amount about 22 million dollars perannum. There is also a bill pending to pension all the soldiers and widows of the soldiers of the war of 1812. I am not disposed to discuss the merits of that bill at this time. I will only say that ii‘it shall pass it would increase our pensions about 13 million dollars perannum, according to the best estimate the committee can make. This would increase our pensions to about 35 million dollars perannum. Now, if no other member desires to say anything upon this bill, I will call the previous question.