The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-03-20
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Replies to Questions on a Variety of Interesting
Subjects.

To 6oTreSpDndsnts-Writ questions on 2 sep
ar9te sheet OF paper, give full name and address,
and mark it " Correspondents Column Noatten-
ton viii be paid to communications that not
accompanied with full name and address of writer
IN Old Veteran, HARMONY, Ne5 says do you
think it proper for the United States to send de-
tectiyes or special examiners after each soldier.
when he has given all the proof asked; and how
long ought they to keep waiting? Ity-ili be
one year next May since wfs sent worn mat the
special examiner would be here; he has not come
YETI Answer. The Government has an undoubted
right 10 take all proper measures 10 protect itself
against imposition and fraud, but we think there
many claims that referred to special ex-
aminers for investigation that ought to be allowed
upon the testimony furnished without such a
reference upon the principle that the soldier should
be given the benefit OF any doubt arising in his
case where there is apparent fraud. The spec
ial examination division Is far behind in its
work that it is impossible to say how long il will
take TO reach any case. We know of claims that
have been pending two years in that division and
have not been settled. 1t would be saving to the
Government to allow some thus 'held up
as Its costs more 10 investigate them than it would
to admit them.
a. T. p, Dayton, Fash. Ter.--A pensoner does
not lose his or her pension by living in a foreign
country. The Government has thousands of pen
soners scattered all over the world and their pen
sions are paid them quarterly. The pension agent
in this city pays all pensioners residing in foreign
countries.
e. b., Uhitehdu ~ IA soldier who was home
furlough and detained there ON account of dis
ability, is entitled to Communication for rations not
drawn, If he produce the original Through and
it shows that his furlough was extended by proper
authority. He cannot make claim otherwise,
because the furlough itself is the only evidence in
existence as to whether such claim is valid
j. S. NJ, Boscobei Wis-1. General George b.
Mcclellan is alive, and IS living in New Jersey
He is not retired officer of the army, and draws
no pay such. 2 JEFF Davis was not related to
Mcclellan by blood or marriage. 8. Nor to Abra-
ham Lincoln. Blrs. Lincoln was loyal woman,
and any statement that she was otherwise is
sense.
d. s., 81. Louis, No.. Total pension for an
acting assistant surgeon is the same as that OF
first lieutenant, viz, SIT per month. 2. By "old
disability is meant the disability Tor which origi-
naliy pensoned; by new disability one not
heretofore alleged. For instance: q soldier al
legged gnn-slot wound of leg mo other disability
secured his pension, and afterwards applied for in
crease on the wound and for chronic diarrhea
also contracted in service. The wound would be the
old disability and the disease would be the new
disability, If yon drawing SIT 50 the increase
will be S24, more. 1t cannot be less than S2i
because there is no intervening rate applicable
your case d. New disability, if alleged prior TO
July l. 1885, entities TO arrears If the arrears act
shall be extended twill give arrears to all whose
claims are proved. D. No; an acting assistant
geon is not entitled to the benefits of the Soldiers
gard TO the hospital al Hot Springs Ark write to
the Surgeon-GeneTal, u. S. A.
J. H. M, Peq.d, Ohio.-We see no chance for re-
lief in your Under the original desertion bill
of August z, 1882, the words :" did not intend to
desert practically operate against every one who
LETT his command without proper authority, (as in
your case because the Adjutant- General holds in
without proper authority and not returning to his
command, vitiates any proof the soldier offer
hence relief is denied. The new bill proposed has
been simply introduced, and until it comes up for