The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-03
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Replies to Questions on Variety OF distressing
Subjects.

ITO OosreSTsOndenLs-w questions on q sep
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and mark IL Correspondents Column" Noatten
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Our readers are requested 10 inclose stamp for
reply 10 their Inquiries. Postal cards viii he
replied 10 by mail only Replies by mail will ordi-
/ narily be made within a week. aud II IN this coll
umn within three weeksI
" NJ. Springfield Iotoa.-PleRse answer the fol-
lowing, To decide wager. Are the minor children
of deceased soldier entitled TO the widows pen
sion well their own, the widow having
/ mRrriedg AnStUcr. Yes; between them they are
entitled TO just the same pension the widow would
nave received had she not remarked. Thus, II
there are three minors. they would receive between
them SIS per month. which l. sl2 per month under
| the old law on account of the widow and 81 per
would receive tire widows pension OF s. per month
and 81 additional for each minor.
l.. H. r., Vernon Center, Ioioa.-l. What personal
benefits does a soldier Of the late war get by
| joining the Grand Army1 2. Is AN honoraby-
discharged soldier "A member Of the Grand
Army without taking any steps-or, in other
words, simply because he IL a soldier-or must he
| Join some Post in order TO become a member B..
Al the National Encampment would IL be necessary
Tor the soldier to wear some badge in order TO re-
celNe all the benefits OF tho Encampment? 4. Can
a soldier buy THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Grand Army
badge no. .92) and wear the without being
member OF the Order? AnstUer. I. The objects
OF the Grand Army Of the Republic stated in
their Constitution 10 be ID Eratcrniiy-to preserve
aud strengthen those kind and fraierHal feelings
NAtCu blnl lOEelher lie soldiers, sailors ana
marines who united 10 suppress the late rebel
hon, and To perpeiuate the memory aud history
OF the dead; (2) ChdTifg-to assist such former
confados-in-arms as need help and protection and
toeEtend needful aid TO the widows aud orphans Of
those who have fallen: 90 Loyalty; To maintain true
allegiance TO the United States Of America, based
upon paramount respect for. and fidelity TO, its
Constitution and laws; TO discountenRnce what
ever tends 10 weaken loyalty, iuciles TO insuTTec-
uon, treason or rebellion, or IN any manner i'm
pairs the efficiency and pcrnnncncy Of our free in
hutuiiOus aud 20 encUuTag the spread Of universal
liberty, equal rights aud just ice ali men. While
the Grand Army does not offer inducement
any material benefit to any soldiers who shall be-
come members OF the Order, aud while the COM
rades do not join the Order for their personal bens
NJ and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. still there several adj
EauiHges in being a member among which may
be mentioned the assistance which N invariably
rendered TO those members 81 Tie Order who need
u, The certain prospect Of decent Christian burial
10y comrades aud the sympathy and assistance
rendered 10 the needy widows aud orphans of de-
ceased members Of the Order. =. soldier Is not
n member 81 the Grand Army unless he has been
regularly admitted into some Post. g. IL would he
better Tor him 10 do so. T. The laws OF your Slate
hlu OF hoout 40 other STATES prohibit any person
not member OF the Order from wearing the Grand
Army badge and fine and Imprisonment are inn
posed where the law is violated.
}. b. r., Kalamazoo, Mich. ] nun informed that
The ratings for various degrees Of deafness have
been reduced. III this 81 true, what are the ratings
nowg 2. When pension claim has been reOpened
does u take about the same length Of time 10 60
through ~ n new claim IN which the evidence las
al been fiiodl AHslUer. ]. The old rates 81 pen
sion Tor various degrees az partial deafness were
follows; Total on nearly total deafness OF one ear,
SIC; slight deafness OF both ears, SIS; severe
total deafness OF one and slight of other $50;
severe deafness Of both ears So: total deafness Of
one car aud severe Of other. SIS deafness Of both
ears nearly total, 81 Under the ruling Of Dec. T.
1881, these rates were changed follows: Nearly
total deafness Of one ear, So Total deafness Of
ear. $40; slight deafness Of both ears s.: severe
deafness OF one ear and slight 81 other, $40; nearly
total deafness OF one and slight 81 other, Sl5
total deafness ~ one car aud slight of other SO;
severe deafness Of both ears s2 total deafness 81
one ear aud severe Of other SIS deafness Of both
nearly Total 81. This does not apply 20 those
eases where tie pensioners already receive the old
rates, AZ they VIII not be reduced unless the disa-
billy has decreased. But those who apply for iu-
crease wi Of courfe, be rated under Tie new rule.
?. Yes, generally.
o. B.. S. Louis Mo- applied for pension under
act Of June =, 1890. in July 1850. wrote my at
torHey Ia August 1891. aud lac sent me an eXami-
nation order. under which was examined ia Oc-
t0ber, 1881. When should hear from Ely claim {?
Aaswer You will probably hear from your claim
soon.
u. ~ Mem Berlin. Pa-To settle a dispute please
answer tie following question: How much 81 our
bonded debt IL held by citizens Of the United states
aud how much b. held by citizens Of foreign cOuu-
tries2 V. claims that The larger amount 81 United
States bonds Is In the hands ~ other countries and
w. claims that IL is not. Please give an accurate
answer. AHSUcr II is only possible give the Ad-
dresses OF owners Of the registered bonds Of the
United States. Coupon bonds pass from hand 10
hand like a bank bill, without notification 10 the
Department While Il il impossible 10 give the
exact amount held AT home and abroad IL shfel '
b. stated that but n very small proportion Of the
] public debt j. owned Ia foreign Couu;res On Jan.
D. 1892, interest declared two loans, aud ON
Feb. i on Third. amounting, for the registered
portions TO s573 7lG2l2 OF this total s. $50 go was
sent 10 foreign countries. being less than pet
4 cent. u the amount 81 Uuitcd States registered
] bonds. The remainder Of the funded debt. includ
/ ing coupon bonds at per cent. and bonds - ma
] tured loans. amounted ora Feb. 10 Es9,6i2,yJ0. Il
/ every bond not known TO be owned la this country
4 were assumed TO be owned abroad still less THAI
| one-seventh Of the funded debt would be owned Ia
4 foreign lands. Probably the amount d actually
much less. IL legal tender notes are included ~
] part Of the public Debt the percentage should b'
/ sill further decreased. This statement Is on thu
/ authority Of the Register Of the Treasury.