The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-05-31
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Replies to Questions on Variety Of Interesting
Subjects

}. G., St. Charles Minn-Au claims on file are
being acted upon. 1t Is first necessary in pension
claim to obtain military history of the soldier
from the Adjutant-Ge General, United States army,
and such record of his hospital treatment may
be shown by the records of the Surgeon-(Ieneral
United States army and claimant Is usually ordered
for examination. When these reports from the War
Department received at the Pension Office, then
calls for such testimony may be necessary to
prove the claim made. Testimony cannot well
be called for until the War Department reports
received, because it must first be established that
the soldier was member of the organization al
legged, WAS regularly discharged therefrom, &c. /;
the testimony required. Claimants can, in most
cases, anticipate the testimony, and, by furnishing
same in advance of the requirements, secure
prompt action, all complete settled, no
matter what the number may be.
E. A., M5ddletOtrn n Y-From your statements
your claim appears to be in good shape, and if the
testimony is clear and explicit, and presuning that
there is no adverse record otherwise, the claim
should we think, be fayorubly acted upon In all
pension claims, testimony to debility and
Inability TO work" proves nothing important to
the claim in question, unless the witnesses state
that the identical disability claimed (naming ~
existed continuously during the time covered by
their atiidavits, and that by of said disa
bility manning it, claimant was unable to labor
during certain periods, further testimony to
condition since discharge will undoubtedly be
called for.
Subscriber, Sheldon, Io,Cd-You cannot prove
that your disability originated during service,
hence you are not entitled to pension. 1t may
have been remotely due to your service, but if You
cannot prove that il existed prior to your dis
charge, it is useless for you to apply for pension
". ~ T.. WiHdons, Mi,n.-No. There is no law
authorizing such payment. During last Congress
bill Tor such purpose passed the House, but ianed
secure legislation on this and other important
measures at next Congress, of which you will be
duly advised through our columns
JF s. Center Point w. Ta-A soldiers pension
can :" be discontinued revoked for cause show
ing that he Is not entitled thereto.
NJ d.. Lock No. 4, PG-The Government does NOT
grant pension TO a soldier simply because he was
wounded, but only where such wound disables him
from manual labor. The rejection of your claim
was undoubtedly based on the fact that the
amining surgeon reported that you were not dis
abled by your wound If you can prove to the
contrary by medical testimony submit such testi-
mony to the Pension Office, and request another
examination by some other surgeon.
E.P, DuQuoin, IH-No The time for fling
claims for property taken by the army in States
not in insurrection expired January I, loS0.
IT. IT, Hockanu,n Coan.-If you do not receive
your certificate in time to draw pension az the June
payment we would advise you to wait until you
do get it. 1t will probably be delayed only few
days. Those claims are being rapidly disposed of.
j. r., Bartlett Ohio.-You have no claim under
the law. You were not entitled to the three
months pay proper, because you were not a COM
missioned officer on March 5, 1865 and you for
feited your bounty enlisted man by accepting
a commission Your colonel had no authority TO
state that would receive the extra pay and the
Government is not bound TO fulfill his promises.
j. s H., Richmond, Kdn.-If there is record
showing your treatment during service for your
disease, and you cannot furnish medical testimony
showing treatment therefor in service or immedi-
atey after discharge, fear that your claim will
be rejected Your disease Is of that class that the
Pension Office holds must be connected with the
service by medical evidence, and other will
be accepted.
E. H., Green Forest, Ark-See preceding reply.
Yours appears to be a similar case. We can give
you no encouragement.
s. H.. Wilmington, Dsl.-We cannot decide your
question as to bounty unless the exact dates Of
listment and discharge are given; also the COM
pany and regiment in which the soldier served;
cause of discharge and If discharged for disability
the name or nature of such disability; Also amount
of bounty received and the date when such bounty
was paid All this information Is absolutely neces-
Mry before We can answer. and we hope our other