The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-03

To THE EDITOR: Your editorial in THE
TRIBUNE OF June 10 ON Sound Enough 10 DO
Shot at, reminds me that we have a still
stronger ease in this town. John Hutson,
sergt Co. 4, sSth Ohio, made application some
time ago for pension on account Of disease con-
tracted ia the service. II happened that thera
was record against him in the Adjutant- Gen.
erals Office, to the effect that he was unsound
before enlistment; but of this he WAS not aware,
and therefore proceeded to furnish the evil
deuee required by the Office He procured the
evidence of comrades and officers that he had
contracted the disease while in line OF duty,
and ne was then, after a long delay, notified
that he must furnish evidences OF soundness
When be entered the service. So, az great ex-
pense, he went TO the State of Ohio, hunted MP
ms Old neigbbors and physicians who had
known him from infancy up to the time he
enlisted. and got their testimony that he was
. sound, healthy man up TO the time he entered
the army. Not hearing anything from his
claim for a long time after this he wrote his
Congressman TO hurry up the claim. and was
then notified that his claim lad been referred
to special agent. who would investigate the
case aud take evidence in regard to IT, Az
other long delay ensued and he was then n0tf-
fed to go 70 Ohio again and give his evidence
before this examiner lie was assured that he
needed no attorney and he again made cut, as
he thought strong case. Bur 70 his surprise
that his claim had been rejected on the ground
that he was not sound when be entered the
service. tie was at o loss to tell how such a
conclusion could be reached BY The Pension
Office, and his friends told him that the record
must be against him. 1t FIRST the Pension
Olilce refused to give him the information bus
at last he found out that his surgeon and the
lieutenant commanding his company, in max.
ing up the record ut the tine Of his discharge
had stated that he was afflicted with disease
contracted before entering the service. He at
once asked for rche1rlng, and secured the evil
dence Of these same officers, who sw0re that
they were not acquainted with him prior to
ms enlistment, and that if they had ever made
record it must have been from hearsavi'
Having secured their testimony 60 this e6 ct,
he supported il with additional evidence to
show that be had never suffered from his dis
ease ,chroaic diarrhea) prior to entering the
service, aud this time. knowing that he had to
overthrow an adverse record, took pains 20
show that his witnesses had known hia from
bog, aud that he could net have had the dis
ease without their knowledge. Nevertheless.
his claim was again rejected, and he was told
he could appeal to the Secretary Of the Inte-
rior. Not having employed any lawyer. hs
wrote to the Pension Office, saying that he
wanted 70 take an appeal, but was informed
that be must prepare q formal appeal
Now, the point I make IS this. That the
Pension Office. by putting him TO the expense
lover 5000 of hunting up this evidence when it
had the ad verse record in its possession from the
first, and knew that the rejection Of the claim
was forcg0ne conclusion, did him great in rs
tlee. The presumption was that he was sound at
enlistment, and if there was record to the con-
tfary, the Pension Office should have notified
him Of the fact at the Outset. It does seem 70
me as il the men who offered their lives for
their country are entitled to and should re-
ceive fair play at the hands OF the Pension
0fiee.-L. FaiFburv Ill