The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-11-05
IMPORTANT DECISIONS.
Land Warrants Issued to Soldiers Of the
War of 1872 Prima Facie Evi-
dence of Service.
Supplemental Instructions to Postmasters
in Regard to Special Delivery Service.
Rebate on Jute Sacks
Capital Notes.
IMPORTANT DECISIONS.

WASHINGTON, October 29.-In section s
of an act of Congress approved March 9,
1873, it is provided, that when any person
has been granted land warrant under any
act of Congress for and on account of service
in the war of 1912, such grant shall be
prma facie evidence of his service and hon.
orable discharge so as to entitle him, if liv-
ing, to a pension under this act: but such
evidence shall not be conclusive, and may
be rebutted by evidence that such a land
warrant was improperly granted.
In the case of widow of soldier of the
war of 1912, whose husband during his life
time was granted both land warrant and
pension, Commissioner Black has recently
decided that it would be great hardship to
require, after the lapse of so many years, new
evidence to re-establish the fact character
and period of service which had previously
been determined by competent authority. the
prima facie case provided for by the statute
having thus been supplemented and strength
ened, and hence the Widows claim for pen
sion should be allowed, and no attempt made
to rebut the evidence upon which her hus-
bands claim for bounty land and pension
had been granted.
In other cases, however, in which no pen
sion had been allowed the soldier, and where
only the prima facie cases made by the law
exist, the matter of pension never having
been adjudicated, the Commissioner held
that these were cases of first impression, so
far as claims for pensions are concerned; and
as it appears that the husbands of the claim
ants were not in the service for fourteen
days during the war of 1912, and the pre-
ponderance of evidence being that they
were not in any engagement in that war,
the prima facie case created by the statute
is overcome, and the applications for pen
sions in those cases will be rejected.
The question has been presented to the
First Comptroller for his decision, whether
withheld from purchasers of private die
stamps under the rulings of his predeces-
sors shall now be refunded in accordance
with the decision of the Supreme Court in
the case of Swift Company VS.. United
States, where the right to such difference
occurred beyond the six years limitation
prescribed for instituting suit in the Court
of Claims. The difference in question
arises in the mode of computing the COM
missions in the one case the amount of cash
deposited in payment for the stamps and in
the other case on the amount of stamps
purchased, and amounting to 500 against
the purchaser for every $1,000 of stamps
purchased.
The Comptroller decides that the decision
of the Supreme Court only applies in cases
arising thereafter, and also in those cases
where the right to the difference heretofore
ascribed within the six years limitation, and
that in these cases where the six years have
expired, the rulings of his predecessors are
binding upon him, and hence the court
being unable to grant relief it can only be
had by the action of Congress upon the mat
ter. The amount involved under this de-
cision is about S368, 900.
Third Assistant Postmaster General Hazen
has issued supplemental instructions to post.
masters in regard to the special delivery
service. These instructions are the result
of observation of the practical operation OF
the system and are intended to cover any
defects in the original instructions. In the
amended instructions postal cards and sealed
packages are included i'm the matter that
may be sent as firstclass matter; Sunday is
excluded from the special delivery days:
postmasters are to report monthly instead OF
weekly and are to make arrangements fol
special delivery where the business does not
justify messengers, but for this service are
not to pay more than allowed by law. The
other changes are merely nominal and with
the exceptions noted the original circular OF
September &c is still in force. ..
1t is said that Judge Maynard, the pres
ent Second Comptroller of the Treasury, is
to be Mr.. Eaton's successor on the Civil
Service Commission. The appointment, il
is believed, was offered to Augustus Sclioon-
| make, who declined it. as he expects to be
Justice Westbrook's successor on the Su-
preme Bench of New York State in case OF
Hills election as Governor. Mr.. Coon will
probably be the Republican member of the
board.
The value of imports of the United States
dnring the month of September 1885, was
$50, 81, 75s against sos, 229, 400 in Septem'
Der, 1884. The value of exports for Septem
ber was 947, ,6s4, 3s3. For the twelve months
| ended September 80 exports reached S715,'
| s9s,67 against S57O, 551, ,260 in imports.
The President has appointed W. Lee
Dinkins, of Mississippi, to be Marshal fol
| the Southern District of Mississippi; Ed
mund B. Briggs, of the District of Column
| bia, United States Consul at Santos, Brazil
Louis C. Bartlett, of Indiana, SeconC
Deputy Commissioner of Pensions, and wht
was appointed by President Cleveland, ha'
resigned on account of i'll health. Mr.
Bartlett was badly wounded during the wal
and his wounds have broken out afresh.