The National tribune., 1881-08-20
Answers to Correspondents.


suggest that much labor time and expense be saved
both and correspondents if the latter
and other subscribers would keep file of the paper
They could then, at any time turn to the file and proba
bly, find the very inquiry answered about which they
would have written to We trust that each and
subscriber will profit by this suggestion.
]. H. T., OMAHA, NEB-A homestead may be To-
Gated by an eX-SOldier sailor through agent,
but at the expiration of six months the principal
himself must locate and commence cultivation;
otherwise, all claim to the tract will be forfeited
R. NJ. H., MADISON, IND.-The Equalization Boun-
ty Bill proposes to grant bounty of eight and
third dollars month for each month of actual ser
vice. deducting all United States bounty already re-
ceived. Multiply S8} by the number of months you
served, and from the product substract the amount
of bounty you have received the remainder, if any,
will show you the amount to which you will be en-
titled if the bill becomes a law.
J.R. c., SACo, ME.-Up to a recent date a desert
er at large from the r0lueer service could obtain
a dishonorable discharge, and by thus having his
military record completed obtain pension if en-
titled thereto; but ex-Secretary of War Ramsey,
lust before retiring from the War Office issued an
order to the effect that further discharges in such
cases should be issued The Commissioner of Pen
siOns has the matter of allowing pension in this
class of cases under consideration, and we will make
known his decision when rendered The above re-
fers to those who have never received final dis
charge We would, however, advise all such who
suffering from disability incurred while in the
service and in the line of duty to apply they will
no doubt eventually have title.
T. J. NJ, SIOUX FALLS, OAK Teri. When a
claim has been rejected by the Commissioner of Pen
siOns the ground OF nSuffciency of evidence the
attorney very often appeals the TO the Honor
able Secretary of the Interior. 1t the Secretary
tanS the Commissioner, the attorney can then carry
the to Congress for special act 2 Cases before
Congress for special act receive attention only while
that body is in session ). Pension claims are adiu-
dcated when the requirements of the Commissioner
have been filed, without regard to their numbers.
4. There are over one hundred thousand rejected
claims in the Pension Office files. D. A pension
claim should be finally acted upon within few
months after filling the requirements of the Pension
Office.
JACOB J. NJ. New PARIS, Pal. Your friend,
who has applied for an increase of pension wounds
received in second enlistment should employ COM
petent claims attorney to investigate the of
delay (See advertisement seventh page.i p 1t is
common practice for the Pension Office to fix low
rating OF arrears from date of discharge to date of
examination by the surgeon, and higher rate from
date of examination. The Pension Office under Mr.
Bentley's administration claimed that the rate is
fixed in accordance with the degree of the disability
found to have existed the period from date of
discharge to date of examination, and that the office
has official knowledge of the degree of disability
until the examination by its surgeon. All pen
siOners who have been awarded these low ratings,
and are satisfied that the amount allowed from the
date of discharge to the date of examination by the
the degree of their disability that period who
will send statement of their cases. will be ad-
vised as to a remedy. In sending statements refer
ence should be made to this column and this num-
Der of the paper.
CIV B.. LITTLE BARREN TENN-By act of Con-
gress of June IL 1879, the several sections of the
Revised Statutes requiring biennial examination of
invalid pensioners were repealed, but the act
OF Congress provides that the Commissioner OF Pen
siOns shall have the same power as heretofore to
order whenever
ment the same may be necessary.
LEO" HILLsBoRO, ILL.-The widow is allowed
to cOnlplete her husbands claim and draw the same
amount of pension that would have been allowed
him had he lived and completed his own claim.
You are advised to place the case in the hands of
a competent claims attorney, sending the Pension
Office letter to him. See advertisement seventh
page)
A. B. E., ROCHESTER,. MINN.-The pensOner to
whom you refer probably entitled to increased
rate of pension. See advertisement seventh page)
See answer to Jacob j. NJ, this column, to rat
ing of arrears.
LEO" HILLsBORO, ILL.-The widow whose hus-
band was dishonoraby discharged is entitled to a
pension, provided the disease which caused his
death contracted while in the United States
service and while he was in the line of his duty. If
the fatal disease contracted while in confne-
ment undergoing sentence of cOurt-martial, await
ing trial for an oense of which afterwards convicted
or while in the guard-hOuse undergoing punishment
has no title because he not in the line of duty
CHAs. G.. L., MIDDLETON, Id. TER. Your name
has probably been dropped from the Pension Rolls
Inquire of the United States Pension Agent who last
paid you whether such is the case 2. Your pension
was reduced on the report of the examining
geon. 3. We cannot say whether or not you are
entitled to increase of pension, any pension not
knowing the degree of your disability. We refer
you to advertisement on seventh page.
A. H. s, WEST BURKE, VII. There are vari-
Gus for delay in the final adjudication of
pension claim after the Pension Office requirements
have been filed The to which you refer should
be called up to the attention of the Commissioner
The crippled child of deceased soldier referred
is entitled to pension provided she under six
teen years of age when her father died and her
mother guardian has not drawn pension for her
up to the date she became sixteen (See advertise
ment on seventh page.)
j. T. B., GEORGIANA, FLA.-Ifthe soldier to whom
you refer enlisted prior to October "a 1863 in old
organization, lone already in the feld prior to
December "a, 1863, in organization, lone which
had not left for the field), and was discharged
account OF wound or injury from violence received
IN line OF duty he became entitled to 800 original
and 800 additional bounty. If claim for the addi-
tional bounty not filed prior to July l. $780, title
to same is now forfeited, the additional bounty
act of July %, 1866 expired by limitation June 80,
$780, Congress has several times extended the time
for filing claims for this additional bounty and Will
no doubt do so again.
W. c. A. GRASS LAKE, MIcH.-1. The depend
ent father is entitled to the pension after the moth
ers death 2 Severe single inguinal hernia is
rated at S. month. Double or Strangulated hernia
may be rated higher 3. power OF attorney given
by claimant authorizes and empowers his agent to