The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-08-06
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

+ tCorresp ondents shouId write eaei, question
separate sheet of paper, give f'ii name and adj
stte u ton will be paid communications not
compaued with name ana address OF writer 1t -
requested that stamp be inclosed for reply by
letter. Postal cards will be replied TO by mail
ONLY Relies by mail viii ordinarily be made
withna week and il Ill this column within three
weeSs.I
G. LB.. Topsltam T.-Pcase state whether
the last Congress passed any law increasing the
pensions of those who have lost limbs? AIaswer.
1t did not.
J. L. B., Hawthorn, Fa-Please state what
Government bonds are payable in gold and
what ones payable in coin? Ans,oer None of
the Government bonds has stipulated in the
bond that it shall be paid in gold; the out
standing bonds are by their terms payable in
!" coin" This is understood to mean gold
coin.
SEN. and others Hilsdale, Pa.-The Demo-
cratic Convention adopted as one of its pianks
the following Recognizing the Just claims of
deserving soldiers we heartily indorse the rule
of the present Commissioner of Pensions that
no names shall be arbitrarily dropped from the
pension roll, and the fact of enlistment and
service should be deemed conclusive evidence
against disease and disability before enlist
ment." Is it true that the present Commits
sioner has made any such ruling, or is this
plank simply bid for votes? Ans,rer. 1t is
not true that the present commissioner of PEN
sions or any other, has made a ruling that
in every case sgundness at enlistment shall be
an irrebuttable presump tion. The law on the
subject (Act of March 3, 1885, is that "All ap-
plicants for pension shall be presumed to have
had no disability at the time of enlistment
but such presumption may be rebutted." This
presumption is rebutted whenever the circum-
stances of the case point to the fact of prior
soundness. AS to arbitrarily" dropping
names from the penson-rolI, the act of Dec.
81, 1893 obliges the Commissioner Of Pensions
to give 30 days. notice of any contemplated re-
duction or dropping; but III view OF the fact
that the Board of Revision during its life
(which terminated June 80, 1881 had, under
Commissioner L0chren's instructions, dropped
wholly from the rolls the names of 4, 149 pen
sioners; dropped from the rolls under the act
of June q, 1880, the names of 2,279 more to
lower rating under the old law to which emit
tied, and having reduced the pensions Of 20,359
more, there would appear to be but little avail
able material for the exercise of the "arbitra-
rily" dropping scheme. Since June 80, 1895,
the Board of Review has fallen heir to the for
mer duties of the Board of Revision, and the
number of pensionerssnce reduced and dropped
by it is not at present before US.
l. c. Meg, Glasgow, Ky.--Please state (1)
How much money was there in the United
States Treasury when President Harrison
tered office, and how much therein when he
left it? 2. Whist was the cause of President
Cleveland issuing many bends? & Why is
money SO scarce? 4. How much money per
capita is there in circulation? Anslrer. i. The
condition Of the Treasury March L, 1889, Was
surplus of $3.50, SAG AL. 10. Its condition March
l, 1893, was surplus of 1924, 0a4, 7f2.2S. The
reduction of the SUR lus under President Hars
risoD's Administration was due to the increased
expenditure for pensions and the sugar bounty.
g. Insufficient revenue. 3. Because of the ap-
prshensi0n OF moneyed men as TO what might
be the policy Of the Administration, and as to
what might be the result of political move
ments. 4. July ]. 1896 it was $2l rs per capita.
r. A. c., National Military Home, o. am pen
STONED at 80 per month, under the act of June
q, 1885, and have filed claim for increase
Hereunder alleging new additional disa-
bilites. have in alleging these new disabifi-
ties in formal application, sworn that they
were permanent in character, and not due to
Visions habits but my application is objected TO
by the Pension Bureau because / failed to sat
forth In my last application that served 90
days or more during the war Of the rcbellian,
aud WAS houorably discharged therefr0n. Why
is this? AHsUeT. 1t is becausa of super-techni-
cal practice Of the Pension Burean. We cam
/ not see how the Pension Bureau is benefited
| by your making oath . second time to facts
| already in it's possession. Had not the official
| records currohofated your allegations in your
original defamation ~ to an honorable services
| of more than so days during the late war,
| your pension would not have been granted, and,
IS above stated, We do not 500 what is to be
gained by your EeiteratiHg . fact once alleged
| and fully established by the records; however,
you SHOULD promptly comply with all Official
requirements.