The National tribune., 1883-06-14
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Replies to Questions on Variety OF Interesting
Subjects.

CO1l LEN -
Replies to Questions on a Variety OF Interesting
Subjects.
A. r, Dorchester, Wis.-1st Write to some relia-
bic and wel-infor1ned attorney in regard to prize
money, giving dates of enlistment snd discharge
and names OF the vessels IN which you served. I'd.
The Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth. Seventh and
Twenty-sixth Wisconsin volunteers participated
in the battle Of Gettysburg.
T. p, Si5rer Creek Ne5.-1st. The act of March 3.
1888, increased pensions from SIS to S2i and from
S2l to $50 I'd. The child is entitled. Sd. Widow
can apply for bounty at any time.
s. L., Usage, Kan.-lst. The reason why sol
der that enlisted in September 1861 and was dis
does not get his bounty, is because he is not en-
titled thereto under the law, unless he was dis
charged for tcouRds-not disease I'd Soldier who
filed hts claim Tor pension since JunS 30 1885, cam
not draw pension back 70 discharge, but only from
date OF application. Sd. In regard to the wide
difference" Of any exists between the for
guHshOt wounds and other disabilities, we can
only say that Congress has established the ratings
for pensions, and we eannos undertake. to state
why there exists an inequality In the ratings,
cept that such is the law.
E. H., FrancesriHe Iad-Your claim for iniury
was allowed because IL was considered complete
Your claim for disease Is still pending because it il
not considered complete II Is noe necessary to
lie claim for increase. IL your attorney will call
up your claim for disease he viii DO informed as to
what IS necessary to complete H. and by fling the
necessary additional testimony, you ges it
disposed OF.
e. T., Dts Qsoin, TH--Yeu would not be entitled
to the disability Of the arm because you
did not allege said disability prior to july J. 1880
That would not be called accrued pension
j. AsE-A pensioner totally blind in both eyes
receives So per nonth- Loss OF sight OF one eye,
the other not being affected is onhalf of total or
81 per month Partial loss OF eyesighs would be
rated the same as any other disability, viz, In
labor.
y n. F., Golden, IH-Mexiean war soldiers are
not entitled to pension unless they contracted dsa
bility in the service and in line of duty the same
pension of So per month 70 all the survivors of
that war has not yet been fayorably acted upon by
Congress. 1t IS one of the principles TIE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE Is fighting for.
o. ". s., Penstuater, Mich-Ee cannot reply "a
TO bounty unless you comply with instructions
given in answer to s. a, In our issue OF May 81,
1883
4. j. D.-Total disability, first grade, s72 per
month, second grade $50 per mouth; third grade
s24 per month. fne second and third grades wsrs
each increased 60 under act of March g. 1853.
J. A. F., Georgetown, Wis.-When you file your
declaration for increase, If You viii append thereto
your statement thss you desire to be ordered be-
fore board OF surgeons, your request viii un-
doubleday be complied with.
4. =. R., Turtle Cresk, Pa-Your statement
that you were a deserter inyoluntarily would
not be accepted. You cannot obtain discharge.
See reply TO A. a. p, in our last ISSUE Yours Is
q similar case.
s. s. A., SaDsoth, Iu.-A record is kept IN each
pension claim of The evidences called for, etc.
Whenever action of any kind Is taken II IS noted
III the case.
A. g. c., York, Ee6.-You are not entitled TO
pension foE disability contracted while civilian
carrying the mail. To entitie you 20 pension, you
must have been regularly enlisted IN the army or
navy and in line Of duty az the time, &e-
" H., Chipps,ca Falls, Eis.-ist There is no law
under which you can recover anything for The
arms lost. I'd. You only be pensioned for the
actual rank you held when your disability oSisi-
mated; consequently, you are correctly pensioned
as first lieutenant.
J. s., Ledren,corth, Kas.-You can enter timber
claim IN the State mentioned if there Is land of the
character named SUBJECT 10 such entry, out YOU
will be required 70 improve IL yourself. You
not put your nephew upon 1t To aet in your stead
L. w., SEel5yvisls H-The Ninth and Fifteenth
Corps had each four divisions
FW f., Es;ss Talras, Nich-Iss To each resi-
meIt of volunteers OF ten companies allowed
one surgeon with rams OF major and two assistant
surgeons with rank of lieutenant 2d. Army sur
geons were Liable 70 be taken prisoners and held as
such, but usage and the dictates of humanity on
both sides made them neutraI5 during the war and
they Were allowed to return 10 their commands.
Sd. All surgeons and assistant surgeons while il
uniform We're supposed to wear a sword
s. P. g., Portland, MicE.-The term "or other
wise 40 disabled as to render their ineapaeity 20
perform manual labor equivalent TO the loss of =
hand foot" Is intended 10 include such claimants
rs disabled by aEiSeass any other disability 20
that extent. Such pensioners would be rated as
S24 per month. IL disabled by disease any other
disability to tbs extent that the applicant is unable
to perform any manual LABOR he would be rated at
$50 per month, the one who had lost lI1
arr, or leg and stiII higher rating where he i 40
disabled to require the regular aid and at
tendance ofanother person"
j. Sep, Fairfield, Ae.-Your questions are some
what ambiguous, but We will endeavor to reply:
LIST. The Commissioner of Pensions docs not nor
has he assumed authority to take cogni-
zanee of any nisdemeanor committed by claim
ant at any time, unless, perhaps, such INSIDE
meanor affects the disability for which pension IS
claimed. I'd In claims Tor pension arising for
causes prior To the late war, the law requires an
honorable discharge; but section 4IU9 l.. - estab-
lishng the date of commencement of pensions dur
ing the of the rebellion, specifics thas such pen
sons "shsll commence from the death or diSehGr9s
ofthe person entitled" &c The word " honorable
Is omitted and it has been stated that it WAS over
looked by the original trainers of the law, but il
passed III that shape and has never been amended;
hence, any kind OF discharge, honorable dis
honorable Is all that Is required, but 1t is impeFa-
tive that soldier must have discharge of
kind before he can be peusioned- Sd The only
statute that depriyes a soldier of his citizenship
by of deserton is section 1885, 4th. An hon
ora6e discharge is not necessary in claims for PEN
sion arising under section 4692 war of the TebeI-
hon,) for above stated. Desertion itself is
not bar TO such pension, but soldier who de-
serted and never received a discharge, cannot be
penSioned until his record has been amended
and discharge granted him, at shere Is method
of arriving at the date from which such pension can
legally commence, claw STIMULATING that it shall
commence from death or discharge &c. As be-
fore stated, the Pension Office does not impose
penalties" nor does il any authority out
side of title 81 Z. :. Ii the War Department
ports that soldier deserted and has not received
discharge, the Commissioner of Pensions Is power
less to act further. He cannot grant such soldier
n pension however meritorious such claim may
be, without violating the law, and you cannot ex-
peet him to do this. The Adjutant General Is the
only authority that can amend the records to show
that the charge of desertion was improperly made
and grant discharge This has been done by him
in numerous cases where proper proof has been
submitted to him. The soldier can then be PEN
stoned.
The issuance of permit for you to draw your PEN
sion on the 4th inst. was for your own benefit and
was sent you because your claim for increase could