The National tribune., 1894-06-28
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

OUR CORRESPOND
[Correspondeats should write each question on
separate sheet of paper, give full name and adj
dress and maroit Correspondents Column" No
attention will be paid to communications not
companed with name and address OF writer. 1t Is
requested that stamp be inciosed for reply by
letter. Postal cards will be replied to by naa
only. Replies by mail will ordinarily be made
within q week. aud If in this column within three
weeks.l
JH. Dr., Danuiue. M.-How many pensions has
been allowed under the present Administration,
and how many in tie same length of time under
Harrisous Administration? Answer. For the fiscal
yesr ending June 30. 1892. Commissioner Raum
issued 3lI $50 pension certificates. Commissioner
Lochrep for the first six m0tths Of the present fis
cal year. issued 33,999. These figures show that
kaum issued four times many certificates
Locbren for The same period OF time Further. for
the fiscal year ending June 30. 1892, Gen. Rsum
increased the pension roll by the enormous
Der of 200 009 nanIes shile Commissioner Lochren
for the six months from July J. 1S93 to Jan. 1894
increased the pensionroll by but 100 names, though
there were then pcndiag half a million claims.
g. s.. Bourbon, ind-Piease state number OF
Union K soldiers who die annually. xnSt0er. We
cannot now answer very definitely. We are try
ing, with the help OF skilled actuaries, TO arrive at
the annual mortality among the x-s0idiers bat
yet we have reached no figures which will
ing to give out. We have stated that the annual
death rate is 35 per thousand This would mean
about 35 600 year tie basis OF 100 GOO 900 sur
vivors. complication of the problem is the exact
value thai should be given TO The advanced age
sulting from the bardsbips aud strains of their
service. This has been estimated increasing their
age from 10 IL years.
W. K. H., Clipper, Ky.-Is there law in exist
enee that prohibits a deserter from holding
any office of trust profit under the United States?
Answer Section 1896, K g. U. =, provides that all
persons who deserted the military naval service
OF the United States and did not return thereto
report themselves to a Proyost-MarslIa within 60
days after the issuance OF the proclamation of the
President, dated the IlIh day of March. 1865,
deemed TO have voluntarily forfeited their rights
of citizenship well their right to become
citizens; and such deserte<. shall be forever in
capable of holding any office OF profit or trust
under the United States, or exercising any rights
of citizens thereof" Section 1897 X. s. u. s., pro-
vides that mo soldier sailor, however, who
faithfny served according to his enlistment, until
the i9!h of April, 1865, and who, without proper
authority leave first obtained, quit his com mand
OF refused to serve after that date shall be held
to be deserter from the army navy; but this
section shall be construed solely removal Of
any disability such soldier sailor may have
incurred under the preceding section by the loss
of citizenship and OF the right 10 hold office in
consequence OF his desertion." IL should be noted
that these sections have nothing TO do with the
question OF the removal OF q charge Of desertion
with view of obtaining pension, pay, or
bounty; they pert ain TO his status n citizen only.
j. K. Birdseye, Ind-Did the rank of General
lapse when Sherman died? Who other than Grant
and Sherman held said rank? Afstper. Sheridan
held said rank till Aug. s. 1885, it then lapsed.
Grant, Sherman and Sheridan the only
persons who held this rank.
j. H. NJ Epping ~ HI. What has been done
will. Honan's BILL II. r., 1874? 2. What is the
prospect of passing the tariff bill? Will not the
Mckinley law be apt to remain IL is? g. Does
this Congress manifest any desire to do justice by
the soldier. to hasten the settlement of pension
claims in the Pension Bureau? Answer. j. Nothing
but to refer it to committee. p The present out
look is that tariff bill will be passed within few
weeks. 1t is less Objectionable in some features
than when il first came from the House of Repre-
senatves but still is very bad; il will greatly in
lure a large number of vital industrial interests.
The best be said of it Is that it is quite
bad when it was first proposed. 8. There is
absolutely no sign of disposition on the part of
Congress to do sort of justice 30 the soldier.
p C., Laurence, Kan.-l. am drawing pension
for rheumatism, resulting in disease of the heart.
Can J. in addition, draw a pension for q gun-shot
wound? 2. pensioner puts his pension check of
81 coo in the bank. and has it there for two years,
and they stop paying interest, and he takes il out
and puts il into another bank and that Is forced
into assignment. He had it there four years. Can
he get his money, will he have to take
chances with the rest? Ans,Uer. /. Yes if you are
pensionaby disabled thereby, and can satisfactorily
establish its origin. 2. He will have to take his
chances with the rest: he enjoys no advantage over
others by way of priority oil lien.
f. H., MenOmonie, Wis.-Within what limit of
time appeal be taken from the decision of
the Commissioner of Pensions to the Secretary of
the Interior and save appellants rights in his
contention ID sustained? AnSWer There Is no limit
TX b.. Elisabeth City. NJ C--An application is
filed in 1886 for gunshot wound of groin and head
The records did not show that there was "a wound
of the head and it being difficult to find comrades
to support ii, it WAS abandoned and the wound OF
groTwas allowed. desire TO know, if evidence Is
now furnished to prove the wound, If ii will revertto
filin!. of the claim in 1856, from fling the proof;
also, If more than member of my company is
necessary to establish The fRct OF the wound! An
III allowed, pension therefor should date from
filing of application ia 1885, We cannot say as to
the suficiency OF the testimony.
r. f. d., RO1dbeH O.-As TO the provision in sec-
ton 3 act OF June y, 1890, providing for minor
children who are insane. idotc, or otherwise per-
manently helpless, ]. Can a child of soldier, who
previous To- said act borne upon its mothers
certificate 81 additional (the mother having
married. be now placed upon tho pension-roll,
said child being over q years of sge? 2. Can a
child, who is now over 81 years of age and perma-
nently helpless, and who was never borne upon
any pension certificate whatever, be now placed
upon the pension-roll under said actp 3. Where
a chds claim has been rejected III either case as
above stated, such claim be reopened now, un-
der any recent ruling of the Commissioner of PEN
sions Secretary of tile Interior? 4. And what
course must be pursued in order to reopen such
claimf Anst0er. l. II oan If 1t can prove to the
satisfaction OF the Commissioner OF Pensions that
the date it attained the age of l6 years IL was
either insane, idiotic otherwise permanently
helpless and that it has remained in said condition
continuously ever since; otherwise. not 2. No.
3. II it has been properly rejected il cannot be
opened. IL, however, the claim was rejected upon
the ground that the child was over the age of l6
years the 27th OF June, 1890, and If said child
was on the pensionro roll till il reached the age of
I6, then the claim may be reopened, if il can be
shown that the requisite condition OF insanity,
idiocy, permanent helplessness now exists, and
that 1t has continuously existed ever since the child
became 16 L. If the facts in the such TO
indicate title when considered in the light of the
statements herein made, then it will he in order to
request the Commissioner of Pensions to recon-
slider the
G. W. p, Newfeld ~ Y-soldier dies June. 1894,
drawing pension under old law. Sl7 per month;
was married July, 1892; leaves widow and one
child (babe) If disability he drawing pension
cause of death, are his widow and child
entitled to pension, though married in 1892? An
would he entitled 50 and 81 increase because of
minor, or $40 per month.
Hyep decide TO take Hoods sarsaparilla do not
1T