The National tribune., 1896-12-31

ICorrespondents should write each question on
| separate sheet Of paper, give full name and al
attention will be paid TO communications not se-
conpanied viii, name and address Of writer. 1t IS
| requested that stamp be nclosed for reply by
letter Postal cards will be replied to by mail
only, Replies by mail will ordinarily be made
within week. and If ia this column within three
weeks.I
W H. B., Louisville, Ky-Please inform me:
]. Was there any appropriation made for PEN
sions for enlisted pilots in the gnnboat service
on the Mississippi River? 2. Can widow Sc
cure the removal of q charge of desertion
against her husbands record where he had
! deserted after veteranizing? Ansscer /. APP
| Preparations for the payment of pensions do not
specify the classes that are to be paid out OF
| same but If you mean is there any law author
! ising the payment of pension on account Of the
ser vice named, then you are advised that BY
Section 1858, r. 8. U. s.. there may be title
| under the general law if reasonable disa.
| bility was contracted while in line Of duty in
| such service. It is held by the present Admin.
| istration that there is no title in such case
| under tho Act of June q, 1890. 2. If he veter-
! anized more than six months prior to May i,
| 1865 and did not desert until after May l. 1866,
and if his entire service up to that date MAY ],
/ 1867 had been faithful, she could secure the
| desired amendment of record otherwise. she
would have to prove to the satisfaction Of the
| War Department that from date of deser.
| ton up to date of muster-out of his regiment
| he was by reason OF disability contracted in
| line of duty in the service. physically unable
| to report to the nearest military authority.
| j. G.. Driftcood, Okla.-I enlisted Aug 8, 1852.
| and was discharged for disability in December,
1863. When enlisted / was paid $25 bounty,
and when discharged this sum was taken out
| Of my monthly pay. Does the Government
| not owe me my bounty? Anstoer. Not ii you
! were discharged for disability other than
| wounds or injuries in the nature Of wounds
i - L. t. IL
| ease you were held to be not entitled to bounty
unless you served two full years.
| W. K. H., Poplar Flat, Ky.-Pease obligs me
| by answering the following questions: /. If
| pensioner claiming additional pension for q
] new disability is rejected upon the ground of
| no record or other satisfactory evidence of
incurrence of disability although aided by Q
| special examination, notwithstanding he has
/ furnished the evidence of an Orderly Sergeant
| and one c0mrade as to the origin OF the said
| disability can he take an appeal ON the ground
! of an unjust decision? 2. How far behind is
the Assistant Secretary of the Interior in
| deciding appeal cases? 3. II, having been re-
| iected for increase under the old law, I should
| make supplemental claim under the act of
June "a, 1890, and have it accepted as q part
of the original claim, and considered in con.
nection Herewith, would the pension. if allowed
| under the act of June "a, 1890. relate back to
the date of fling the old Law claim for increase
the act of June 81, 1902 Answer. /. He can
take an appeal, but he will have to assign some
| reason other than the bare assertion that the
decision is an unjust one; he will have to
point out the particular mistake complained
Of In general in ell such cases the Assistant
| Secretary sustaius the Commissioner of PEN.
sions, and - rule all claims for additional
pension that are not fortified by record of
the disability in the SERVICE or BY medical
testimony, Immediately upon return home. are
rejected. 2. Several months. 3. A claim under
the act of June "a, 1890, is wholly distinct from
| one under the general law, and cannot be made
supplemental thereto. although it in no degree
conflicts Herewith, and If under the circum-
stances stated you should be allowed pension
| under the act of June "a, 1890. you would get
pension only from the date of fling the appli-
| cation under the said act.
J. E. K, Worcester, Mass.-Please inform me
as to whether there was any record kept of the
nationality Of deserters during the late war !?
| Ansper. No.
C.. s., Saybro0k, C0nn.-Is there q law giviHg
| disabled soldier an artificial leg or arm, or
Communication therefor at the rate of $50 every
| three years? Answer. There is for those who
| in line of duty in the service lost limb or
became totally disabled therein; not for others
G. G. r., Brainard, Mimi. Is it true, as
stated by some Free Silverites. that until Mai.
Mckinley was candidate for President he was
always in favor of free silver? 2. Can the
widow of soldier who was pensioned under
the Act of June q, 1890, get pension of more
than SO per month? Aasper. l. No. 2. The
fact Of his having been pensioner under the
act of juno %. 1890. or any other law cuts no
figure in the case. If she married him prior to
March 10, 1886. and if she can prove that his
death was direct result of a cause originating
in line of duty in the service, she may be PEN
stoned at the rate Of $12 per month. II testi.
mony Of this nature cannot be furnished, then
her title il any, is under the act of June q,
1890. and under said act the rate for widow
is So per month.
W G., arlington, Mo.-Please state 10 what
Department of the Government National Gene
tories belong. and the name aud title Of tho
head thereof Ansvsr. To the War Depart.
ment, of which the Hon. Daniel Lamont u the