The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-09
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Replies to Questions on Variety OF Intsrestin n:
Subjects.

To oTrespondenis.-WTite questions on a sep
arate sheet Of paper, give fall name and address,
and mark il " Correspondents Column " No
tion will be paid to communications that are not
accompanied with full name and address of writer.
Our readers arc requested to inclOse stamp for
reply to their inquiries. Postal cards will be
replied TO by mail ontH Replies by mail will ordi
narily be made within n week and if in this col
umn within three weel1s.I
ID. B., LOgoHspOrt Hd.-A soldier who was draw
ing pension dies; can his children, who over Is
years of age. procure the pension? AHSWer. No.
!. Il. W., Cecil, O.-The rating for loss of speech
(aphOnid) would depend upon the peculiar circum-
stances of each case. 1t might be any amount be-
tween IS and SIS, or even s2l or $50 In rating such
a disability the vocation of the claimant would be
taken into consideration, as there some profess
sions where inability TO speak above a whisper
would destroy his usefulness and in other yoca-
tons it might not interfere with the performance of
manual labor; these facts would be taken into
consideration. 1t would be impossible to fix a
definite rating for such disability.
@. L., CODtiusnces, Pa.-Except from June 25
1853, to JAN 5, 1854 Regulars enlisted during the
late war for three years During said period they
r. A. O., FTsstolUn, Eld-A soldier was ordered
for examination by the Commissioners for the pur-
pose OF a5eertan1ng whether he was entitled TO in
crease under act of Aug g. 1886 If such increase is
not allowed will soldier be notified by the Pension
Office? ARslCer. These claims will be allowed she
increase without any application on the part of the
claimant. In doubtful cases pensioners are some
times ordered for examination. 10 will be suffi-
cient indication of the disaowance of increase il
the pensioner does not draw higher rate when
the Pension Office
s. A., Ns,O York City.-whether you can obtain
an Increase for deafness depends upon the of
the Examining Surgeon establishing the degree
OF your deafness 10 Is manifesty impossible for
US TO decide as to your right To increase. We adj
vise you TO apply, and the decision of the Pension
Office will govern. In any event we do not think
it would tend to reduce your pension even if in
crease was not allowed.
l. y. g.. hartford, Wis.-1. Does the APPROXIMATION
for headstOnes to soldiers graves apply only to
those who died while in service? q A child Of a
soldier who received pension during her minority
loses her hand by cancer. Is there any provision
made by the Government for the care of such
cases? Ansger. I. II applies to all deceased SOL
d1ers without regard to date Of death, and is ap-
Piled to those who have died since as well as dur
ing the war 2. There is no provision of law
granting relief in such q case.
A. IT, A., PerrysUiLs OIL I was captured by the
enemy while holding rank Of First Lieutenant and
while so detained my commission Captain WAS for
warded TO the company, but was unable to accept
IL, being held prisoner until the close of the war
Am entitled to pay Captain? 2 A soldier ap-
plies for pension and shortly afterward dies. His
widow, who tries to complete his claim is Uniformed
that no evidence exists showing that her husband
ever applied for pension. Is there any law which
will enable her To complete his claim? AnstCer. 4.
Yes; providing there was a vacancy. and the COM
pany was not reduced below the minimum number
at the date ofthe commission. 2. No; because the
claim was not filed by the soldier.
e. y. r, W Norris. ". Y.-As you fail TO state the
nature of the disability for which you were pen
stoned. or To give the number of your pension GER
tifeate, we are unable 10 answer your inquiry.
Of the Commissioner increasing pensions where
certificates read total disability eauyalent to loss
of hand or foot? AnsCer There are several de-
grees above that mentioned, and if degree greater
than that equivalent to loss of hand leg can be
established, the pension can be increased.
A. 8, Thornton. hich-A soldier enlisted for three
years in 1861, and was discharged in 1862 by order
OF War Department to muster regiment out Of
service; would said soldier be entitled 10 three
years credit in homestead entry? Ansrger. No;
the time actually served is all that would be credited
in such a case Where q soldier was discharged for
disability which originated in line of duty in the
service the period OF enlistment would be deducted,
but in no other case.
j. B. s.. PistnaInVRte, Iad.--Your claim having
been granted at a fixed rate by special of Con-
gress 1t cannot be increased under the general law
and you would not be entitled TO SIS per month in
any event, because your amputation is not near the
hfp-jotHL There il no provision of law increasing
pensions Tor amputatons at or near the knee or
ebOw-joint 10 SIS.
c. b., Aaahsinn, Gail. II go to Europe how
can draw my pension? 2 If q man is convicted
and sent TO prison does il prevent hin, from apDIv
for pension? Insurer. 1. Pensioners who leave here
for foreign countries receive their money from the
Pension Agent in this country in the usual manner
that Is, vouchers are sent To the pensOner at his
address. and they are executed before some magis-
trate and returned to the Pension Agent who trans
mits to the pensiOner his check on the Assistant
Treasurer. New York, for the amount Of pension
iue, and this can be eashed through any foreign
bank 2. That fact does not prevent him from APP
plying for his pension If his disability was con
tTaeted IN line of duty in the service and he can
prove the claim by satisfactory testimony.
o. r. y. OhlO.-A soldier was insane from dis
ease contracted in the service; having recovered
from his insanity the disease having taken another
form, # he now applies for pension will he be
granted arrears? Insurer. If the soldier was insane
prior to July i, 1850 and such insanity existed or
continued until after that date and il could be de-
mOnstrated that insanity was the result of a cause
which originated IN line of duty in military service
he would be entitled to arrears.
A. j. r., H. Sterling, H-DOes the act Of Aug
4, lSS6, referring to amputations at the shoulder
joint, include pensioners in the SO rating whose
stunps are so sensitive not TO permit their wear
ing an artificial limb? AnStCer Not unless amput,l-
ton is joint to prevent the use oan ar
fetal limb. There is nothing in the law relating
ponds entirely upon the proximity of the amputa-
ton to the joint.
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n