Chapter 130.
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CHAP. 130.— An act prescribing regulations for the Soldiers’ Home located at Washington, in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. Mar. 3, 1883. *Be it enacted by the Senate and Souse of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* Regulations prescribed for Soldiers’ Home, Washington, D. C., etc.Board of Commissioners to make annual report, etc. That the board of commissioners of the Soldiers’ Home shall every year report in writing to the Secretary of War, giving a full statement of all receipts and disbursements of money, of the manner in which the funds are invested of any changes in the investments and the reasons therefor, of all admissions and discharges, and generally of all facts that may be necessary to a full understanding of the condition and management of the Home.
The Secretary of War shall have power to call for and require any omitted facts which in his judgment should be stated to be added. This annual report Secretary of War to transmit report, etc., to Congress.shall be, by the Secretary of War, together with the report of the inspecting officer hereinafter provided for, transmitted to Congress at the first session thereafter, and he shall also cause the same to be published in orders to the Army, a copy thereof to be deposited in each garrison and post library.
Sec. 2. Inspector-General of Army to inspect and make report, etc. That the Inspector General of the Army shall, in person, once in each year thoroughly inspect the Home, its records, accounts, management, discipline, and sanitary condition, and shall report thereon in writing, together with such suggestions as he desires to make. Sec. 3. Expenditures limited, etc., except on approval of Board.Supplies, how purchased. That no new buildings shall be erected or new grounds purchased, nor shall any expenditure of more than five thousand dollars be made, until the action of the board thereon shall be approved by the Secretary of War.
All supplies that can be purchased upon contract shall be so purchased, after due notice by advertisement, of the lowest responsible bidder. Such bidder shall give bond, with proper security, for the performance of his contract. Sec. 4. Pension inmates of Home can allot portion of pension, etc. That any inmate of the Home who is receiving a pension from the government, and who has a child, wife, or parent living, shall be entitled, by filing with the pension agent from whom he receives bis money a written direction to that effect, to have his pension, or any Pensions, etc., to be paid to treasurer.part of it, paid to such child, wife, or parent.
The pensions of all who now are or shall hereafter become inmates of the Home, except such as shall be assigned as aforesaid, shall be paid to the treasurer of the Home. The money thus derived shall not become a part of the funds of the Home, but shall be held by the treasurer in trust for the pen- FORTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS. Sess. II. Ch. 130,131. 1883. 565 sioner to whom it would otherwise have been paid, and such part of itPension paid in full on discharge of pensioner from the Home. as shall not sooner have been paid to him shall be paid to him on his discharge from the institution.
The board of commissioners may from time to time pay over to any inmate such part of his pension-money as they think best for his interest and consistent with the discipline and good order of the Home,Death of pensioner; money due, etc., paid to legal heirs. but such pensioner shall not be entitled to demand or have the same so long as he remains an inmate of the Home. In case of the death of any pensioner, any pension money due him and remaining in the hands of the treasurer shall be paid to his legal heirs, if demand is made within three years; otherwise the same shall escheat to the Home.
Sec. 5. That a suitable uniform shall be furnished to every inmate ofUniform to be furnished inmates free of cost. the Home, without cost to him. Sec. 6. That the board of commissioners are authorized to aid personsAid to persons, etc., by out-door relief. who arc entitled to admission to the Home, by outdoor relief, in such manner and to such an extent as they may deem proper; but such relief shall not exceed the average cost of maintaining an inmate of the Home. - Sec. 7. That the Governor and all other officers of the Home shall beGovernor and officers selected by the President of the United States.Treasurer to give bond. selected by the President of the United States, and the Treasurer of the Home shall be required to give a bond in the penal sum of twenty thousand dollars for the faithful performance of his duty.
Sec. 8. That all funds of the Home not needed for current use, andFunds, etc., of the Home to be deposited in the Treasury United States as a permanent fund.Interest. which are not now invested in United States registered bonds, shall, as soon as received, or as soon as present investments can be converted into money without loss, be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Home, as a permanent fund, and shall draw interest at the rate of three per centum per annum, which shall be paid quarterly to the treasurer of the Home; and the proceeds of such registered bonds, as they arc paid, shall be deposited in like manner.
No part of the principal sum so deposited shall be withdrawn for use exceptPrincipal sum to be used only by resolution of board, etc. upon a resolution of the board of commissioners stating the necessity and approved by the Secretary of War. Sec. 9. That no officers of the Home shall borrow any money on theBorrowing money on credit of Home prohibited. credit of the Home for any purpose, nor shall any pledge of any of its property or securities for any purpose be valid. Sec. 10.
That the Board of Commissioners of the Soldiers’ HomeBoard of Commissioners to consist of, etc. shall hereafter consist of the General in Chief commanding the Army the Surgeon General, the Commissary General, the Adjutant General, the Quartermaster General, the Judge Advocate General and the governor of the Home, and the General in Chief shall be President of the Board, and any four of them shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Sec. 11. That all laws and parts of laws relating to the Soldiers’Repeal.
Home now in force, and not inconsistent with this act are continued in force, and such as are inconsistent herewith are to that extent repealed. Sec. 12. That the sum of ten thousand dollars is hereby appropriatedAppropriation for clerical labor in adjusting accounts, etc. out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated to be expended by the Secretary of the Treasury in the employment of additional clerical force to be used in adjusting the accounts in the Treasury Department of those funds which under the law belong to the Soldiers’ Home.
Approved, March 3, 1883.