The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-09-09
PENSION POINTERS.
Inquiries Answered and Sug.
gestions Made.

II. KeC., Gaines Pd.-If pensioner fails to
receive the vouchers sent TO him by the Z. s.
Pension Agent he can, by writing to the Z. s.
Pension Agent, have another set of vouchers
sent to him.
d. d. ~, Brandon U.-If n soldier has lost
his original discharge certificate, he can obtain
duplicate discharge upon the filing OF proper
application for the same with the War Depart
ment
d. L.. New Bedford O.-section Alb r. 9.
Y. ). provides: "In all cases in which the
cause of disability or death originated in the
service prior to the 4,h day OF March. 1861. and
nm application for pension shall not have been
filed within three years from the discharge or
death of the person on whose account the
claim is made, or within three years of the
termination of n pension previously granted
on account Of the service and death of the
same person. the pensio on shall commence from
the date of filing by tho party prosecuting the
claim, the last paper requisite to establish tho
Same. But no claim allowed prior to the 9th
day Of June. 1866, shall be affected by anything
herein contained" A soldier who lied from
causes originating during his Mexican war
service, and whose widow remarked without
complying with the above law cannot now file
and prosecute q claim for pension during the
period she remained the widow Of the soldier,
because there would be no pensionable period.
". II. H., BeHefonte Pa.-The widow Of n
soldier is not required 10 duplicate any evidence
that was filed hy the soldier during his life
time. If the evidence fled by him was held
by the Pension Bureau to satisfactorily establish
certain points tr his case, those points will not
have 10 be again established by his widow. If
the case has become mixed. or if it is conf
plicated one, perhaps you had best consult q
competent attorney.
j. d. s., Laurence, Rnn.--The act Of Congress
approved March 2, 1889, authorizes that the
charge of Gesertion standing on tho rolls and
records in tho Office OF the Adjutant General
Of the United States Army against any soldier
who served in the late war in the volunteer serv-
ice shall be removed in all cases where it shall
be made to appear to the satisfaction of the Sec
rotary of War, from such rolls and records. or
from other satisfactory testimony, that such
soldier served faithfully until the expiration
of his term OF enlistment, Or uHtilthe LIST day of
May. 1863, having previously served six months
or more. and. by reason of absence from his
command at the time the same was mustered
out failed to be mustered out and receive an
honorable discharge 1t is held by the War
Department that the six months previous
service need not necessarily have been rendered
during the late war Of the rebellion. Service
rendered prior thereto in the army will be
taken into account in determining whether
the soldier had served six months at any time
prior to May /. 1865.
L. d. H., oxford, GA child of soldier
who is insane or idiotic or permanently help
less, and who is now over 16 years of age. can
not secure pension unless it can be shown
that said Child was under 16 years of age at
the date of its fathers death, and unless it can
also be shown that the fathers death was due
to his military service
A. H., Canton, O.-The records Of the office
Of the Surgeon General, U. s. A., are not open
to the examination or inspection OF attorneys
or other persons. You can doubtless obtain,
through your Member of Congress, a statement
from the Surgeon-Genera showing the hospital
treatment that you received during your serv
ice. If you do not know the home address of
the Member Of Congress he can be addressed at
the House of Representatives, Washington, d.
c., and the letter will be forwarded to him.
p H., Philadelphia, Pa.-There is no rule of
the Pension Bureau that requires pensioner
to wait any given length of time before lie can
again apply for an increase of his pension. If
your disability has increased since your claim
was last adjudicated, or if you feel that your
rating is not as high as your disability war
rants you at liberty to file claim for in
crease at any time
H. b., Clifton Tex-If you have not heard
from your pension claim within the pas: three
years, you had better employ a competent at
torney TO look after j. for you. 1t is believed
that the Special Examination Division of the
ehaioh bureau is III aIeaIS Win certain
branches Of its work from six to 10 months.
b. L., H0uard, O.-When an applicant for
pension is examined by Board of Surgeons
the report of the Board is sent to the Pension
Bureau direct. The loss of the slip on which
is Endorsed the date of the examination is of
no consequence.
G. II. T.. North adams, Mass.-If soldier
has reached the age of 10 years. and is other
wise entitled. he will be allowed rating of
S12 per month under the act of June 81, 1890.
rating OF at least Sc per month is allowed those
who have attained the age of 90 years. unless
upon medical exami nation they are found to be
in very good health. rerating can sometimes
be obtained. 1t must be shown, however, in
such case that manifest error was COM
mited in fixing the former rating or ratings
The rate of pension is determine from the ex-
tent of the disabemcnt found to exist