The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-16

use of this phrase and It gained universal celeb
rty. The Missouri Compromise a measure
which arose the question as to whether that
State should be admitted free or a Stare State
The feeling OF the slave States was very bitter to-
wards the free States at that time but the compro-
mise was concession to the Notwithstanding
States.
Mrs. W. L., Hancock Minn.-St Anthony's fire is
the vulgar name for eryspelas. St. Vitus's dance
is the name for chorea, conyusive or involuntary
and irregular movement of one or more limbs.
of the face or body 80 called because the move
ments have a fancied resemblance to dancing
These diseases are widely different
d. n. F., CherrGietd, Ae.-The object of the PEN
sion Office in procuring the names and residences
of the surviving exsodiers of the rebellion. Is to
facilitate the settlement of pension claims by fur
nishing the addresses of officers and comrades to
those claimants whose claims delayed for lack
of testimony of army witnesses. of whose where
abouts the claimants may be ignorant. This is
very laudabe enterpri on the part of the Pension
Office; thus, If you desire to get the testimony of
certain comrades, and do not know where they
are; by writing to the Pension Office requesting
such addresses, the same will be furnished you if
known to the office.
Dr. w., SuIlira,s. Ind. The widow of Lieuten-
ant killed in service is entitled higher pension
than is the widow of an enlisted man. The widow
of a private soldier nOn-commSsioned officer is
entitled to So the widow OF a Second Lieutenant to
Sl5, OF a First Lieutenant to Sl7. 2. No contracts
but those filed by the attorney of record can be
recognized by the Pension Office You can make
such arrangements with the attorney you choose
i'll regard to a division of fees and it will be per-
fectly proper But fee will be paid by the
Pension Agent, and that to the attorney of record
ii the present attorney releases the in
favor, as proposed you can file the contracts etc
A. l.. H., HOtDeN, Mich says: Are not pension
checks good for any length of time, notwithstand-
ing on the margin Is printed, This check should
be presented for payment within 9Odays"? AnsCer
The check is good for any length of time, even if
the request to present within 80 days should not
be complied with.
W. T., Logs Crossroads Tenn-In the Presidential
election OF 1860 Lincoln received $50 electoral votes
Breckinridge received ~. Bell received So and
Douglas received ~; necessary to choice l52. In
the coming election there will be 4OI electoral
votes; necessary to a choice 2Ol.
". III. r., Columbus, O.-Francis Scott Key the
author of the Star Spangled Banner" was born
Aug. l. I779. and died Jan. ii, 1873 The poem was
suggested and partially written while the author
the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore
harbor, Sept IL, 1874 and of which engagement
the author was an anxious and interested witness.
This correspondent wants to know the Iames of
the jury that condemned the raiders at Anderson
vile Will some OF our readers kindly supply the
information?
e. W. G., Lily Kan, wants to know about tho
value of lghtning-rods Anstcer. 1t is a subject of
some dispute as to what protection is afforded by
lightning-rods. Statistics have been compiled, es-
peciaily in Germany, demonstrating that they offer
great degree of protection, but il is difficult to
say how many buildings have been saved by rods,
as 1t Is impossible to say what might might not
have occurred in the absence of the rods. Ii has
been demonstrated that lightning is more liable to
strike isolated buildings an Objects and buildings
in cities rarely struck The escape of the latter
may be due to the many lightning rods erected if
so, 1t demonstrates that the more rods the less
DANGER from Tile electric current. our opinion
that lightning-rods are protection and that the
security increases IN proportion TO the number of
rods erected.
A. L. o., Greenfield, Ind, renews the question of
j. r., Of Sept. %, and says: What right has the
Government Tin equity to back-date discharge
and refuse credit for such compulsory serviceP
he thinks our answer to J. X. unsatisfactory, as
being evasive, ETC. A1iS,Cer. In the case cited
where the soldier wounded and sent to hospi-
tai just prior to the muster-out of his regiment and
was some months later discharged to date back to
the muster-out of his company, or regiment we
fail to see that the Government did aught but what
was right and proper in law and equity When he
received his discharge his term of service had long
since expired he had since been of no possible
benefit to the Government; had performed no
duty; had been a constant expense for his board
and surgical treatment, and. instead of dscharg-
ing him las it could have done) when his time ex-
pired and sending him home in q crippled condi-
ton, where he would have had to pay for his own
treatment, the Government took care of him, re-
stored him to health and footed all the bills, and
also provided pension for the time subsequent to
date of legal discharge. Had the soldier rendered
any service to the Government during the period
mentioned the case might be different, but
proper credit " is given in the discharge mention
ed by putting him on the pension roll for the pc
riod In question. we must say that we think your
views on this subject are very narrow. We trust
that your views on the qualities which should be
embodied in the new Commissioner of Pensions
whoever he may bel will prove true in the select
ion of just such a man as you describe-viz., one
who is capable of understanding the spirit of the
pension laws, and who Will govern his actions ac-
cordingly.
y. al. W., Union, asks: l. Is there any way
that i obtain record of treatment for
measles in hospital at Bridgeport, Ala? And
if SO, how? 2. Would testimony of Ser
geant, who was g physician, being furnished
with medicines and being the only Surgeon with a
squad of two companies of men on detailed duty,
be taken as Surgeons proof of treatment in case
of disability caused by taking cold when claimant
had measles? AnSWer. l. No. Information from
the records will not be furnished the claimant
to any person for him. but whatever the records
show will be furnished the Commissioner of PEN
sions on his application therefor. 2. Yes, if the
with ess is credible.
j. s., Columbus CITY, Ind, asks the following: l.
Is there any arrangement by which pensioner
who may be absent from his home for six months
or a year, not expecting to change his residence,
can draw his pension without having his certificate
transferred? 2. Is a soldier who takes up home
stead obliged to move onto it with his family, or
can he fill his residence by going onto it himself
and move his family on at any time thereafter?
Anstrer. l. Yes. Simply notify the agent who pays
your pension of the address to which you wish the
vouchers and check sent from time to time or let
them be sent to the old address and have your
friends forward them to you the same any other
mail. 2 He is not required to move his family
thereon. He complies with the law of settlement
by living upon the claim by himself and he can
move his family whenever he pleases.
Z. G., Bradford, Pa, asks: l. What kind of serv-
ice and re-enlistment enitle soldiers to the name
of veteran? 2. When did such enstments as vet
Grams cease? s. How much bounty did veterans
receive? 4. What badge were veteran soldiers
entitled 10 wear to designate them from those who
serving shorter terms? 5. Are members of
the GAR. entitled to wear the veteran badge at
u. H. meeting or IN the Post rOOfnI AnSICer. Il.
Veterans were soldiers who re-eniisted between
Jan. /, 1868, and April l. 1854, having previously
served two years in the same regiment in which
they re-enisted. who had previously served
nine months in another organization. April 1854.
g. 500 A. chevron or stripe running diagonally
the sleeve of the coat blouse below the ell
bow. s. There is such thing known in the GA.
r. None but soldiers in Seroics entitled to wear
the veteran Tor reenlistmenO stripe No badges but
those prescribed in the regulations of the A r.
are authorized to be worn. There is but one badge
for comrades, and that is the 'ofcial" badge of
membership.
f. H. B. Os,rego ~ You can draw your PEN
sion at the old rate while your claim for increase
is pending. State the case to the Commissioner of
Pensions giving number of your certificate, and
request permit " TO draw your pension etc.
". ", UnioRtOuR, Kan asks J. Is there law
prohibiting officers of the United States Army from
making affidavits in claims for pension? 2. Can
get a duplicate copy of IA sick furough granted in
1864 and to whom should apply? 3. Can a claim
for pension be taken from the hands of n Special
Examiner and appealed to the Secretary of the In
terror before said examination was entered upon?
4. To what States have the extra $50 Special Exam
liners been sent for duty? 4nSiCer l. There Is no
law that prohibits officer of the army from Civ
ing his evidence in pension claim. Such evidence
is communicated blythe officer to the Commissioner
of Pensions. 1t is not given to the claimant in the
shape of an affidavit. and 3. No. 4. They have
been distributed around i'll the various States where
most needed,
S. d.. Ptorer. Wis, says: Can pensioner drawing
pension at the rate of S4 per MONTH that never lost
limb draw $50 per year for five years the same
if he had lost limb? 4nslUer. Not unless he is
disabled IL, a limb limbs whereby he has lost tho
mutation for " loss of of limbs" See this col
umn March g. 1854, where the subject is treated at