The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-06
ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
MONEY LOST BY DELAY.
Important information for Soil
dierS and Others.

A considerable number of the survivors Of the
Army and Navy who participated ia the war Of the
rebellion are suffering from wounds, injuries
diseases which had their origin IN the line Of duty
in the service and who have failed TO file claim
for pension account of saiG disabilities although
clearly entitled thereto.
Many have no doubt failed to apply for the rea-
that the law specifics that in ali such claims
filed after June 90 1880, the pension when granted
can commence only from the date when the appli-
cation is fled in the Pension Office, and the amount
received at first payment would in some cases, be-
small.
take pleasure in stating that there are very
good reasons for believing that the law limiting
arrears IN such pension cases as were not fled prior
to July !, 1880, viii be amended; and IN consider
ing the subject in the Committee on Invalid PEN
sons. House of Representatives 5Oth Congress, the
Chairman announced that the Committee was in
favor of bill granting arrears Of pension back to
the date of discharge in such cases where the APP
plication Is on file in the Pension Office at the date
of the passage of the bill.
You must, therefore, readily observe the advant-
age to be gained by Il person entitled to pension in
placing his claim on file at once, so as to secure
back pension when the proposed law shall have
been enacted.
1t was not contemplated by the COMMITTEES on
Invalid Pensions to give arrears to those whose
claims not file at the date of the passage OK
the act.
Ihave at all times steadfastIy advocated the pas-
sage of bill which will give arrears OF pension TO
every person who IS suffering from wounds, inju-
res or diseases contracted in the line OF duty in the
service, no matter when the claim is fled;
but all legislation looking 20 such comprehensive
measure has far been unsuccessful and this pro-
posed legislation may be all that can be secured
Another reason why a soldier who is entitled tOa
pension should Immediately file his claim is the
increased difficulty which the claimant viii expert
ence the years pass by in finding officers COM
rades whose testimony Is necessary establish the
claim. Every year adds thousands 10 the death
roll, and the witnesses who alive may
have passed away year hence il Il. therefore,
extremely important TO have the claim fled and
the testimony secured while il is possible to do
Delays are dangerous, and soldier who has
others depending upon him may be doing his fam
lily great injustice in failing TO las the foundation
for their future comfort by negleeting to place his
claim on file.
The pension laws are now being more literally
administered, and many claims heretofore eonsid-
cred rs inRdmissible are now being daily allowed
All who believe themselves entitled to pension
should write to me for opinion which will be
promptly and eheeTfully furnished. No fee is
charged for services in any pension claim unless
the claim shall be allowed in which event the legal
fee Is deducted out of the first payment Of pension
made to the pensioner.
INCREASE OF PENSIONS.
great many pensioners are entitled 10 increase,
pension ratings having from time to time been in
creased by acts Of Congress- decisions of the Sec
rotary of the Interior and Commissioner Of PEN
sions.
Increase of pension Is not given the pensioner,
even though his disability increases, unless he files
his claim therefor, and It can date only from date
Of examination made after such claim has been
/ filed.
This is in accordance with Section 1881 Revised
Statutes which reads as follows: Except in cases
of permanent specific disabilities no increase Of
pension shall be allowed to commence prior 10 the
L
fishing the same, made under the pending claim for
increase. ; 3 -
1t will be thus apparent that unless the claim for
increase IS duly filed the pensiOner must continue
/ to receive in great many rate Of pension
less than that to which he IS entitled under the law
/ So, also, new disabilities have developed
suits of the original disabilities for which pension
/ has been granted and for which pension might be
/ obtained if claim therefor is filed, and in some
cases, disabilities contracted service nddi-
tiOnRl to those alleged in the original application,
/ ana Tor which no Claim has ever been MED. There
Is no limit to the number of disabilities for which
man may he pensioned, and an increase q pension
can often be obtained upon such new or additional
/ disabilities. | invite correspondence from every
i pensiCner who thinks his rating too low No
/ charge for advice, no fees unless successful.
| RESTORATION OF PENSIONS.
\ In many cases where pensioners have been
be restored by proper presentation Of the facts.
will attend TO ali such for the usual legal fee.
REJECTED CLAIMS.
| A great many rejected and abandoned claims can
now be successfully prosecuted under more liberal
/ constructions OF the pension laws and i suggest
/ that any person having such case write me full
history of the same, with number Of claim, etc,
/ and will give him my professional opinion, based
/ upon over % years Of active practice before the
4 Pension Bureau.
4 1 have been very successful in such claims.
WIDOWS PENSIONS.
[ Under recent law ali widows who remarked az
/ ter the death Of the soldier, and who neglected to
of death of the soldier 10 the date Of their remar
shown that the of soldiers death WAS due to
I
/ a cause or causes which originated in the line Of
duty in the service, they be paid pensions for
the period between the date Of death Of the soldier
and the date of remarrage, and 81 per month I'D
I ditional for each minor child In every pension
claim of "a widow il Is necessary to prove that the
death Of tie soldier was due To a wound, injury
disease received or contracted during his service
( and while in line of duty.
All eases submitted to me viii receive my prompt
attention.
CHILDREN'S PENSIONS.
In case the soldier died from causes incident TO
the service leaving children under Is years of age
at the date OF his death, and the mother Of said
children has either died remarked such children
are entitled to pension from date of death
marriage, as the case may be, up to The date when
they became 10 years of age, even though no claim
has been filed. The same can be prosecuted with
out regard to the faet that said children are now
over 10 years of age
DEPENDENT MOTHERS, FATHERS,
| BROTHERS AND SISTERS PEN-
In case the soldier died from causes incident to
line of duty in the service. leaving no widow or
minor child, but mother father brother OF sister
under 10 years of age, they entitled 10 pension
/ in the order named, providing they were depend
ent upon the soldier for support At the date Of his
death.
1 will be pleased to consider the merits Of any
case submitted, and for which no fee viii b
charged unless the claim IS allowed.
| DESERTERS.
/ In cases where the charge of desertiOn stands
against the soldiers record, IL Is bar to pension
or bounty, but in many cases such charges can be
| removed and the record amended I give prompt
| and careful attention to such cases and in many
cases have secured an honorable discharge, pay
and bounty.
ACT OF JULY 3, 1884,
Provides for the removal Of charge OF desertiOn in
cases, as follows;
l. If the soldier voluntarily returned TO military
duty in a reasonable time, and served out his term
I of enlistment, or until May I, 1865
lNOTE.-The circumstances attending the delay
of returning to duty determines whether such re-
turn was sin 3 reasonable time
?. II he vas prevented from Joining his COM
mand because of being a prisoner of war, or from
wounds received, or disease contracted in the lins
of duty, or that he died by reason thereof
This act does not apply 10 enlisted men OF the
Navy or Marine Corps.
ACT OF MAY 10. 1885,
Provides for the removal Of charge Of deseriOn IN
without proper authority and Joined another organ
ization.
The following classes can be relieved under this
| act:
l. That when the soldier left his first command,
/ il was not in the presence Of the enemy.
?. That he was not under arrest or under charges
8. That such re-enlistuent within three
months from the date Of abSeutiug himself from
the first service.
4. That the re-enlistment was not for the purpose
Of securing bounty, amount of substitute money
or other gTatuity greater than that 10 which he
entitled according to the terms Of his first enlist
ment.
ACT OF AUG. IA, 1888.
Provides for the removal of charge Of desertiou
standing the pay or muster-T0lls of the Navy or
Marine Corps against any appointed or enlisted
man who served ia the last war SIX months.
]. If he faithfully served until expiration of ms
enlistment or until May J. 1865, having previously
served six months
2. Or il he voluntarily returned and received