The National tribune., 1897-10-28
PENSION POINTERS.
Inquiries Answered and Sug.
gestfons Made.

Ian communications for this column should
be accompanied by the true name and correct
address OF the inquirer. The reply, however.
will be marked rs NIFTY be desired. No attention
aeul be giren to dnongnDts inquiries IL no re,
ply Ia printed within three weeks. write again.
W. 4, G., Amenia, ~ Y-Volunteers in the
| military service in the late war who veteran
lied while serving under a three years enlist
ment under which they had already served
two years, and who were finally honorably dis
charged, received all the veteran bounty to
which they were entitled. soldier who en-
listed for three years in 1861. vetelanized, and
was honornbly discharged from his re-enlist-
ment in July. 1865 was of this class.
H. H., Elktork. Ky.-The Board of Pension
Appeals is taking up and considering as rapidly
as possible all cases brought before it.
GJS., Cumberland, Md.-The Government
bounty for three-ysars volunteers enlisted be.
tween Oct 3d. 1863. and April 9, 1864 into old
ORGANIZATIONS was $500. The same bounty was
allowed three years volunteers in new organi
cations between Dec. %, 1863, and April 2,
1864.
TT. C.. Wrentham, Hass.--When an applicant
for invalid pension is confined to the house
and bed, and unable to go before the Board Of
Examining Surgeons to which he has been
ordered by the Commissioner of Pensions an
affidavit of the attending physician or other
person knowing the facts will secure an order
for the claimants examination at hi. home.
j. s. C., Diroa. M.-Increase of pension on
pensioned disabilities commences from the date
Of favorable medical examination had after the
filing of the application for increase. Section
1881, Revised Statutes provides that except
in cases of permanent specific disabilities no
increase of pension shall be allowed to CON-
mence prior to the date Of the Examining Sur
geon's certificate establishing the same, made
under the pending claim for increase"
j. H. p, audubon, IO,ca.-All decisions of the
Department. of the Interior are presumed to be
applicable to all eases similar in character to
those in which the decisions were rendered :;
but in practice it is often found difficult to
satisfy the Department that decision rendered
is equally applicable in principle to another
case Assistant Secretary Davis has apparently
decided that invalid pensioners drawing SIT
| shall be entitled to the $24 rate if an addi-
tional ratahle disability of service origin is
shown.
II. E. s., Worden, M.-The act of March 9,
1895 provides that the accrued pension to the
date of the death of any pensioner. or of any
person entitled TO a pension having an applica-
ton therefor pending, and whether certificate
therefor shall issue prior or subsequent to the
death of SUCH person, shall, in the case of a
person penscned, or applying for pension, Oh
| account of his disabilities or service, be paid,
first, to his widow"
f. W. H., sedalia, Mo-A member of Congress
can always ascertain the official status of pen
sion claim in the Pension Bureau when the
claimant and his attorney can obtain no replies
to their communications. There are many
thousands of claims. pending in the Pension
Bureau that have been completed and ready
for settlement for yeats but which have been
put,aside because of5the large pay ments they
involve. sesf
I'LL !, &
War Department shouI the enlistment of a per-
son into the U. s. military service, pension is
now obtainable except by special act OF Congress.
There is no official record Of the enlistment of
thousands of voluHtears enrolled before the
Federal Government took direct charge of re-
crniting latter Marchi3, 1862 and who were
never mustered info the U. S. service. State
militia called OFT by the President, as, Penn
syvania militia in 1862 and 1868, are regarded
as in U. S. service from date of acceptance.
j. n. d., Birds, My-An invalid pensioner
under the act of jane q. 1880, drawing the
maximum rate OF SI2, and who WAS formerly
pensioner under the general law, can determine
whether ho can obtain "a higher rate than $l2
under the geherallag,b ~ the filing Of a claim
for increase Of pension in the usual manner.
Subscriber, paLpara.s0, Jnd-The issue of an
" additional" pension certificate indicates the
allowance of increase.of pension on account of
new disability; restoration" certificate in
dicates the restoration OF pension from the
date of last payment; reissue" certificate
indicates reratng or the correction of name
of pensioner or disability and the like; also,
the including of disability alleged in the
original claim, but not included in the original
certificate; renewal" certificate indicates
the transfer of pensioner from the act of
June q, 1890. back TO the general law under
which he was formerly pensioncd, or vice
versa supplemental" certificate indicates
the allowance OF pension under the act of June
81, 1890, for period antedating the commence
ment Of pension or rating under the general
law which the pcnsioger IS now drawing, or
vice versa, the pension under the supplemental
certificate terminating with the date Of COM
mencement OF the present pension or rating;
duplicate" certificate indicates the issuance
stroyed an accrued y certificate indicates
the payment of pension due and unpaid PEN
sioner at the date of his death.
j. +. s., AcLouth Kan--It is q matter of
general regret that tho present Administration
continues to indorse the multiplying of the plain
terms aud uumistakable intent Of the act Of
March 6 1896 which distinctly indicates that
the application from the filing Of which invalid
pension granted under the act OF June 81, 1890, is
To DO made 10 commence is tac first application
ana hot some subsequent declaration filed to
reopen and obtain the reconsideration of tho
claim after rejection. The decisions OF the last
Administration this as other matters of
vital concern to pension claimants still con-
tinues in force.
II. III. j. H., Zaaesraie, O-By section 4785,
Revised Statutes il is provided that no agent