The National tribune., 1885-01-29
Replies to Questions on n Variety Of Interesting
Subjects.

Subjects.
ITO Correspondents.-Writ questions on a sep
arate sheet of paper, give full name and address,
and mark it Correspondents Column" No atten-
ton will be paid to communications that not
accompanied with full name and address of writer.
Our readers requested to inclose a stamp for
reply to their inquiries.l
j. w. Triroji, IH.-A soldier paid pension
of So per month account of wound from his dis
charge from the army to Oct. L. 1873 at which time
it was increased TO S. per month. Again. Oct. 81,
1879 it was increased TO SO per month. Now, is he
entitled to from time of discharge to the
time of last increase? Anstoer. No.
j. X. b., Ho0sier Prairie I'LL. If a soldier died
after his return from the service in 1851 from dis
ability contracted in the army, leaving widow
and minor children under Ii years of age, and
shortly after the husbands death the widow dies,
and no application having ever been made for
pension are the children now living entitled to
pension? 2. If so, would they be entitled to the
mothers pension also? 3. Should the claims be
prosecuted as one, or should each ehild-now being
OF age-prosecute his claim separate? .AnSiCer. l.
Yes. 2. Yes. g. Each child should apply sepa-
rarately.
ID. II. r., Barter Springs Kan.-l. What does the
Mexican Pension Bill, now pending in Congress-
propose to do for soldiers who are not now recev-
ing any pension? 2 What is the difference, if any,
in the pension of a Corporal and that of First
Sergeant, for "A like degree of disability? g. Are
there any cases wherein back pension is allowed to
applicant whose application dates late as two
years ago and IS there any way to secure back
pension to soldier whose original application
dates Dec Z, 1888 and who has been granted PEN
sion to date from Dec. II, 1888 but whose proof is
complete and showing a continuous disability from
ncurrenee of disease in the army to present time
1inStoer. i. 1t proposes to grant pension to all
such disabled without requiring them to
submit the proof that is required under the present
pension laws z. No difference; all enlisted men
from Private to Sergeant Major rated the
same for same degree of disability. 3. No. All
claims filed since June SO, 1880 can draw pension
only from the date application was filed in the
Pension Office. Under the law no back pension
can be allowed in such cases.
r., AdGmsrUe, Tenn-If a soldier drawing a
tune to lose leg since the war, while in the dis
charge of his duty as laborer, would he be bene-
fitted by the passage of the Mexican Pension Bill
Anstcer: Yes; providing the disability was not
caused by his own gross caressness disreputabe
conduct or vicious habits"
IS. s.. Pennington W.-Can soldier drop a
claim for pension disability, which he is not
able to prove and change it to another for which
he Is able to make good case without losing the
number of his claim? AnStcer. Yes. The original
number given TO claim is not changed. An addi-
tional claim made is consolidated with the original
claim under the same number.
COtd Observation-Disclosures for cerSshipS in Gov
eminent service must be made to the Secretary,
Civil Service Commission, Washington, ID. c. You
will have to undergo a competitive examination
for such service. Blanks and instructions will be
forwarded on application as above mentioned.
l.. s. C., Corning 0hio.-A widower having son
comes sick; his by his former wife becomes
the sole support of his father and stepmother; the
volunteers; the father dies the is still the
support of his stepmother and little ones; hc die=
Can his stepmother draw pension? lnstrcr. No.
Stepmothers are not entitled to pension.
J. b., SpedrfSh, DakOtd.-The bounty laws do not
apply to soldier who accepted commission
officer during his service. To entite to bounty
under the various laws he must have served out
his term as an enlisted man. Bounty was provided
for enlisted men only; officers not entitled
thereto. and 10y becoming an officer he forfeited
bounty due enlisted man, and is not entitled
thereto under any law or decision.
j. Il. ~, Bene1eh PG.-rhe usual form Of power
of attorney contains clause 90 the effect that tid
attorney il authorized TO receive the money and
indorse claimant name. etc, but this il inopera-
tive in a pension claim. No power of attorney
thus given enables the attorney 90 receive the
tificate any portion of the pension money.
When the claim IL allowed the pension money IS
sent direct to- the claimant 10y Government cheek
made payable 60 his order. II il impossible for the
attorney ar any person other than the claimant to
get the money.
j. N. ~, Bel Grade, Kan.-1. II Mexican Pension
Bill becomes "a law in IFS present shape will IL
tend the act of June 10. ls7g? .. Does the
Government pay any part of the 50 fee contract
between claimant and his attorney: Insurer. /. You
mean act of March 3, 1879. There was
act of June 49, 1871 No. 2. The entire fee is paid
by the Pension Agent out of the first pension money
due the claimant.
=. p. s., Jackson, Mich.-The fact of desertion
where the soldier afterwards returned to his regi-
ment and served out his term of enlistment, would
not iii any way deprive him of pension for n dis
ability contracted while in line of duty after his
turn from desertou. His right to n pension is in
such case, the same if he never deserted, and
pension granted him could not be taken from him
on such account.
r. j. d. Lebanon IH.-Veterans were volunteers
enlisting for three gears between Jan. l. 1863 and
April l, 1864, who had previously served nine
months or more Such were entitled to 1902 bounty,
payable as follows:
Advance Tor $50 after Sept %, 1861 ...... SOS
A ttArO ytlr hal