The National tribune., 1883-01-18
1860.
Answers to Correspondents.

Child Of James B., Fail Rirer, liass.-You are
entitled and if you will give US your full name
and address we will help you in the matter.
II. y C., SRcedciIe, Tenn.-He can make ap-
plication for re-rating at any time within
year from date when claim was adjudicated.
Such claims, however, are allowed in cases
where manifest error has occurred only. We
cannot advise you to apply unless you have
strong reasons for doing so and can furnish
p0sitire evidence to demonstrate the fact that
you were rated too low for certain periods.
Consult reliable attorney in regard to the
matter
!. s., Chicago, Ill. The fact that soldier
contracted disability in first service, was dis
charged, rc-enlistcd iii another company or
regiment and was again discharged, does not
prevent his obtaining pension tor such disa-
bility. There are many such cases. The
pension when allowed dates from first dis
charge, deductjag from his pension money
the entire period Of his second service as he
was not entitled to pension while serving
as i soldier 2. Yes. A communication from
Pension Office dated jane so, 1880 that such
claim had been received, &c, is evidence suffi-
cient to show that claim was filed in time
to draw arrears. ). At any time as all claims
ere being acted upon. See reply to L. s. in our
last issue. 4. 1t would depend entirely upon
what the record shows you tI>ated for, and the
EalufC CT JIe dlollLiibE IOf WINCH pension is
CLAIMED. If the latter is of such a nature that
1t would be apparent to other than physician,
disease of eyes, or deafness, or YaricOse veins
for instance,) and You can or have furnished
the testimony mentioned, we are quite sure
that the testimony of regimental surgeon will
not be insisted upon. The other testimony
viii establish the iact of existence of and
treatment for said disability during service.
old Soldier GaIipoIis, ObO-We cannot state
the number of appointments in the various
Departments of the Government during the
past two years, nor what percentage of such
appointments were soldiers. To answer your
inquiry would involve more time than we have
at our disposal and there are no statistics
covering the question. We are sorry to say
that the percentage of soldiers appointed was
not as great as it should have reeu. Neither
can we tell Wby Congress does not extend the
arrears act SO as to include all claimants. No
reasonable person doubts the justice of such
a measure, and it is one of the principles that
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE is lighting for.
&c L., Spring Hill, Kansas, and lLts H. c. D.,
ST. L0uiS-We cannot examine the papers on
file in your claim, as the Pension Office does
not sanction such a practice. Papers once filed
in a pension claim cannot be withdrawn Tex
ccpt the soldier discharge certificate or similar
personal property. We would willingly assist
you, but for reasons given it is impossible. The
attorney mentioned is, We believe, in good
standing.
II. W-See reply to W. Y. c., this column,
and to f. c., last issue Widows who re-mar-
red prior to July |, 1880, cannot now be pen
stoned up to the date of re-marriage because
the Limitation of the Arrears Act cuts them
of. Had the widow applied prior to July
l, 1850, she would have been entitled. As
all claims Except minors aud insane per-
- LODI Irr,n of Ia,
from date of filing claim the widow has
no title TO arrears. If a soldier applied for
claim and dies, and the widow applies, if both |
claims were filed prior to July l. 1880, the pen
sion, if allowed, would date back to discharge
of soldier. Ii he never applied, her pension
would commence from date of death of soldier |
oaly
Old Soldier T0cGudd-If your claim on new
disability was flied prior to July l. 1880, you
are entitled to arrears. Ii otherwise, You can |
only draw from date claim was filed. If you !
cannot furnish medical testimony, that of neigh
bors will probably be accepted. II there is 10 |
record Of your disease, you will have to furnish |
some testimony showing origin of same iii ser |
vice. Pensions not granted on statements |
of claimants alone. 1t is too early in the session
to predict the fate of the bill mentioned. The |
TRIBUNE will keep you fully posted i'll regard |
to the matter.
Excelsior, AHbUrp, N. T.-The Especial E1- !
amincr" referred TO is clerk of tfle Pension |
Office, specially detailed TO examine your claim, |
and, perhaps, those of others i'll your nCghb0r- |
hood. He viii yisi. you in person, also your |
witnesses, and question you them in regard |
to any facts that do not appear in the testi- |
mony on file in your claim, or that may not be |
considered sufficiently explicit. 1t does not |
follow because your claim is to be "investi- /
gated" that the Pension Office thinks it IL |
" fraud" 1t may be that your testimony is |
not up to the standard required, and the Office |
desires to satisfy itself that your claim is what /
you say it is" a just one" You will have no |
trouble, we anticipate. Simply give the Special |
Examiner all the information he asks of YOU.
also list of your witnesses, and when he is I
ready to take their testimony, you have the /
privilege OF being present, either in person or /
by attorney, and hear the testimony for or |
against you, and crosS-eXamine the witnesses if |
YOU So desire. We should advise you to attend |
the examination, and you will then know all |
about it. We cannot inform you in regard to |
any reports that have been made against you, |
as such matters are considered confidential by |
the Pension Office.
a#& Remaining Gaswers nert week.
ITO insure replies, correspondents should give full |
names and pOstOtlce addresses Replies inquiries
will be given either in this column by mail II reply
published the initials of the writing will only
used, CORRESPONDENCE invited on any subject which
how arm ron mi Of antin n