The National tribune., 1901-05-16
PENSION POINTERS.
Inquiries Answered and Suggestions
Made,

NJ. F. r., Van Vert, Ohio.-It was not
until the act of March 10, 1856, that the
rate of widows pension (and childrens
pension), was increased from IS TO S12.
The increase took effect only from that
date.
Company Cit is hardly worth while
to expect the Pension Bureau to recon
slider fayorably any case involving a medi-
cal question. The Medical Referee of the
Pension Bureau practically settles such
questions, so far as the Pension Bureau is
concerned, and the only chance in this
class of cases is to appeal 10 the Secretary
of the Interior.
f. c., Sterling, Ill.-A dependent
mother of a soldier cannot obtain pension
if the soldier left surviving him a widow
or legitimate minor child.
E. NJ, Central Point, Ore.-Mere mis-
spelling of names in marriage record
would not destroy its value.
/. c. D., Ashland, Ore-No three-year
volunteers were authorized or accepted for
service in the war of the rebellion. prior
to May 4, 1861. If you enlisted in March,
1861, 1t was not a legal enlistment, un-
less indeed your enlistment was for the
Regular Army or navy. No enlistments
OF volunteers were authorized until the
Presidents call for $4,000 militia for three
months service, on April TO- 1861.
w. NJ. c., Normal, Ill.-Solders of the
Regular Army who served during the
war Of the rebellion for 80 days or more
or for like period In the Spanish war or
Philippine insurrection, may have their
term OF service credited on the FIVE years
necessary 10 perfect title TO homestead on
the public land.
ID. D. D., Roxbury, Mass.-Dependent
brothers and sisters are entitled to pen
sion If the soldier brother left surviving
no widow or legitimate minor child. ana
the mother dies or remarries and the
father dies, leaving the brothers and sis
tiers still under 16 years of age. They
may apply for pension under the general
law and obtain pensien from date of aD-
plicatiOn TO the time they become 16. The
act of June %, 1890, does not apply to
dependent brothers and sisters, No boun-
ty-land Is allowed for service of date sub
sequent to March 3, 1853. The benefits
of soldiers service in the war Of the
rebellion or Spanish or Philippine wars.
IN the matter of homestead on the public
lands, may be claimed only by his widow
or his minor children.
f. L., FentOn, Mich.-The act Of July
Ii, 1862, was the foundation law of the
present general law as to widows pen,
sions as well as soldiers and sailors pen-
sions, where the service is of date sub
Eequent to March 4, 1861. The act of
March 8, 1873, was a codification of the
pension laws TO certain extent The
act of March 10, 1886 increased the rate
OF general law pension of widows, chill
dren, dependent parents and dependent
brothers and sisters.
L. II. c., Portland, Me.-The rate n,
pension under the act of June 81. 1890
(and act Of May 8, 1900, for loss of sigh
of an eye is So, just one-half the rate
under the general law for the same djsa
bility.
J. B., Murray, Iowa.-Under the Har
rison Administration it was held thar .
period of 30 days service or more fer
minated by final honorable discharge
entitled the soldier to pension under tht
act of June 27, 1890. The construction
of pension law rests with the Secretar,
of the Interior. Whatever construction
the Commissioner of Pensions NAV Civ,
Is subject to the approval of the Secre
tary of the Interior.
G. NJ. D., Washington. D. C.-Wber
marriage Is found TO have been Illegal a
the outset, it may be generally lecalize,
after the removal of the obstacle by ,
common-law marriage becoming estab
lished through the acts and relations o
the parties.
W. 3. b., Washington, D. C.-Wher
separation Of an invalid pensioner and hi
wife is by mutual agreement the wifi
cannot claim any part of the pension IN
der the provisions of the act of March 8
g. NJ. H., Battle Greek, Mich.-Th
pay of priVates of the army in the wa
Of the rebellion was increased from 81