The National tribune., 1898-06-23
PENSION POINTERS.
Inquiries Answered and Sug
gestions Made.

IAll communications for this column should
be accompanied by the true name and correct
address of the inquirer. The reply, however.
will be marked as may be desired. No attention
will be given to anonymous inquiries. III no re-
S. B. W., Macon, Ga.-When, in a
widows pension claim, the death of a
former wife of the soldier can be shown by
no better evidence, evidence as to the
representations the soldier made may be
effectual, especially if there is no evidence
supporting his statement that he had
been previously married.
c. B., Canal Dover, O.--The act of Con
eress approved March 8, 1898, provides as
follows: THAT whenever a claim for pen
sion under the act of June 81, 1890, has
BEEN or shall hereafter be- rejected, sus-
pended or dismissed, and a new applica-
ton shall have been, or shall here
| after be, filed, and a pension has been, oil
shall hereafter be allowed in such claim
such pension shall date from the time o.
filing the first application; provided the
evidence in the case shall show a pen
sionable disability to have existed, or tC
exist, at the time of filing such first ap
piication, anything in any law or ruling
of the Department to the contrary not
withstanding. II you feel that an in
justice has been done you in refusing tC
date your pension from the time of the
filing of your first application, you have
the right of appeal to the Hon. Secretary
of the Interior.
Attorney, Middleport, OFF an attorney
has filed duplicate articles of agreement
as to fee in a pension claim, and the
claim is thereafter rejected, it is not
necessary to file another set of fee con
tracts before entering an appeal against
the adverse action of the Bureau.
E. S., Norvell, Mass.-If the Pension
Bureau, from the evidence submitted, is
satisfied that a mother is entitled to a
pension on account of the service and
death of her son, the chances are more
than even that the title to the pension is
all right. The father, upon the death oi
the mother, if dependent, can obtain a
pension. The mother of the soldier OF
sailor always has the prior right to the
pension.
II. A. B., Republican, Ark.-A person in
the military service of the United States
canno', while he is in the service, draw
q pension, nor can his wife or anyone
else draw it for him.
w. S. K, w. Mansfield, OFF widow
pensioner dies leaving surviving her no
minor child or children under Is years OF
are, no one can obtain the pension money
that was due her up to the time of her
death, excepting the person who bore the
expenses of her last sickness and burial
or who is held responsible for the same.
to file with the Auditor for the Interior
Department proper application, sup
ported by competent proofs, asking reim-
bursement. If child of a soldier is in
sane. idiOtic, or otherwise permanently
helpless, and is now over IS years of age
no pension can be secured for said child
unless it can be shown, or unless it has
already been shown, that the death of the
soldier was due to his army service.
w. MEG, Streator, IlI.-If a widow pen
s oner remauies her child by the soldier
who is under 16 years of age at the date oi
t,6av IoI IL
sion that was allowed the widow; pro-
v;ded a proper application, supported by
the necessary proofs, is filed in behalf o
the child. If soldier feels that an in
justice has been done him in the rejection
of his claim by the Pension Bureau he
has the right of appeal to the Hon. Secre-
tary of the Interior.
ID. A. r., Kankakee, Ill.-H a soldier
was mustered out of the military service
of the United States, although no certifi
cate of discharge ever came into his pos
session, he cannot successfully claim pay
for services since his muster-out, especi
ally in view of the fact that he has actu-
ally rendered no service since that time
S. D., Seneca, S. Dak.-A person in the
military service of the United States can.
not, while he is in the service, draw q
pension.
f. S. B., Ranger, Tex.-A pensioner or
account of service in the Mexican Wa
cannot secure another pension on accoun
of his service during the late war, but h.
has the right to accept whatever pen
sion that will give him the greatest bene
fit. A person cannot receive two pen
sions over the same period, but it some
times happens that two pensions are al
lowed to the same person covering differ
ent periods of time.
o. G., Perry, Wis.-The COMMISSIONS
| of Pensions is calling on invalid pen
sioners and applicants for information
relative to their wives and families with
| view to preventing possible fraud here
after. That is the only object, so far a!
we know. in making such inquiries.