The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-01
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Replies to Questions On Variety of Interesting
Sui

Subjects.
Old Yet, Calhoun IU-We do not think that the
Pension Office will accept any testimony but reliable
medical testimony to disprove the record showing
that your disability existed prior to enlistment.
Your short period of service is against you As to
how many atfidayits will contradict the record we
can say that one will - contradict it, but 100 may
not efectually diSprorc it. Each has its own
peculiar features and we cannot express opinion
IN your case, for we know nothing about 1t. There
are some cases where no amount of testimony can
overcome the adverse record. As final effort you
might ask that your claim may be put into the
hands OF Special Examiner and investigated as to
its merits.
G. B., Houston Ter-Pension claims based upon
disability contracted in the Mexican war for any
cause originating prior to March 4, 1861, when al
lowed, will not draw back pension, unless the
claims were flied within three years from the date
OF discharge from the service in which the disability
originated. Otherwise they commence only
from the date of filing the last evidence necessary
TO complete the claim. The Arrears Act does not
apply to such claims. An old war" claim filed
since June g. 1866, will not draw arrears 1t can
only commence from the date the claim is COM
pleted.
o. c. r., Augusta Mc-Soldier who lost a foot is
considered as having lost leg below the knee
Any amputation below the knee is classed loss
of n foot; above the knee loss of leg. Any
ampuiaton below the elbow is classcd rs loss of 4
hand; above the elbow as loss of an arm.
C., -, Hd.-We cannot state the cause of de-
lay in any claim, as we do not have access to the
papers on file in the Pension Office. Any claimant
who desires to know how his claim stands should
write to the Commissioner of Pensions giving suf-
ficient information whereby the claim may be iden
tilted such as the company and regiment of the
soldier, the nature of the claim and It's number. In
due time he vii! receive the desired information
Ii claimant has an attorney. the latter should be
able to give him the status of the claim. Many in
quiries fail to be answered because some per-ons
are not particular In giving the Information neces
Sary TO identify the claim Ii IS not necessary to
lncose Il stamp in writing to the Pension Office.
Mddis0n.-lf your claim is based upon disease il
Is necessary for you 10 show your physical condi
ton during the entire time since discharge and the
degree of your disability, by of the disease
alleged, during each year. This is necessary in all
such claims, whether the pension dates from dis
charge or from date of filing the claim.
NJ a., Pine Ridge, ID. Tt. When Il claimant for
pension is informed by the Pension Office that his
claim awaits Il response from the Adjutant General
U. S. A, and said response is favorable, how long
does it take for the claimant to hear from it? 2.
Who acts upon il afterwards, until it is allowed
rejected? AnstUer. l. Several weeks usually. 2.
The Examiner, who has charge of the case acts
upon 1t until it is ready for allowance rejection,
and then it is submitted To the proper officials of
the Pension Office for final action.
N. HcT., Chatham, Ont. Can n brother of q
soldier who was killed in battle in 1864 draw his
bounty that is back, or is there any due? 2 Did
the bill pass and become a law providing for the
Equalization of Bounty, so as to give $50 for the
time served? AnS,rer l. If the soldier LETT neither
widow, children father mother, the brothers or
sisters entitled to collect any arrears of pay or
bounty that may be due. Whether there is anything
due we do not know. 2. The bill never became u
law.
j. 81 w., Osarrotouie Ean-I. Can soldier who
never wounded be admitted to q Soldiers
Home? 2. In what way and to whom must he
make application? The soldier out in the
army about three years. Ansver l. Yes. if he
received injury contracted disease in line of
duty while serving IN the army and is now disabled
thereby. he Is entitled to the benefits of the Soldiers
Home. 2 Application may be made by letter TO the
Governor of any Home, and blanks and information
will be sent the applicant.
J. b. w., De RaLb. IH.-H person enlisted the
middle of March, 1865, and deserted the last of
June, 1865, aud not in the enemy's country. Is he
entitled to discharge and back pay? Instoer. No (;
because he had not served six months prior to such
desertion
j. S. H., Ndssachusets-I applied for invalid
pension, and rejected because there is no
record of my in the War Department, or of
my treatment when l returned home. Can get
my case reviewed? and how shall proceed in the
matter? Answer. Fronl the statement accompany
ing the above question, appears that you cannot
furnish testimony OF your reslmental Surgeon, or
any medical testimony showing your condition in
the service or at discharge, and there is no record
The disability is obscure, and the Pension Office
VIII not accept any testimony other than medical
testimony to connect your disability with the
service. We would not advise you to incur any
further expense III the attempt to prove your claim
You cannot establish it to the satisfaction of the PEN
sion Office, and IN our opinion the case Is hopeless
for you.
Mrs. C. B. C., Bijou Basin, Colony husband was
sworn into the L. $ service Oct. l. 1851 for three
years during the war. and served until Deem
Der. 1868. when he re-enlisted veteran and
served to the close OF the war Is he entitled to any
bounty? Ii 50. how much? And how will lie get
it? AnssUer. You will observe that you state very few
facts upon which any opinion can be rendered. He
should have received 500 for his first enlistment,
and, if honoraby discharged by reason of the close
OF the war. he should have received 500 for his
second enlistment. How much he did receive you
fail to state. He probably received all the bounty
which he was entitled.
f. II. C., Hurst, BfoHt.-There il q tract of land
within railroad limits still unsurveyed. which
wish to- take under the presumption right. l. viii
have to buy 1t of the railroad at then price, at
the Government price, if, when surveyed. it is
found to be on railroad section? 3 Will L have
to live on it three months from time of survey, or
from time of settlement before making final
proof? B. Can take it under the homestead right,
and hold 1t under that right if when surveyed, it
Is found to be on railroad section? 4. What shall
do to show that it is my intention to hold it
under one of the above rights when surveyed?
insurer. Where settlements made upon unsur-
yeyed lands definite proceedings can be had
until the survey has been completed. If il turns
out to be a railroad section, you will have to buy il
of tho railroad at its price, select another tract
q Within three months after the date of receipt at
the District Land Office OF the approved plat of the
survey of the township you will have to file your
the expiration of the three months you will have to
make final proof and payment. B. No. You take
your risk same as in presumption claim. 4. You
can do nothing until it is surveyed except to move
upon the land. The first conner has the best right.
When 1t is surveyed you can put i'll your claim. and
hold it if it shall prove to be Government land.
b. f. f.. East Te,npteiOn. MoSs.-A soldier applies
for pension in 1876 for diseased eyes. Later he
adds another disability, fever and ague." In 1885
he is granted pension for diseased liver. resulting
from. fever and ague, and no mention of the other
disability. Is it the soldiers privilege to know
what disposition has been made of his claim, for
diseased eycSy AnStcer. Certainly. Call it up again
in the Pension Office and be to give the num-
Der of your pension certificate; also your company
md