The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1876-09-28
TILDEN AND THE CIVIL SERVICE.

Rev. 3. W, Flower, was private in
the sth Michigan Infantry, and had his
leg shot off at Spottsylvania court house
by the rebels. After the war he was APP
pointed to cherkship in the Internal
Revenue office in New York, and held his
place until 1867, when johnson who had
gone over to the Democracy, made Saniu-
Ell j. Tilden, then Chairman Democratic
Central Committed the dispenser of gov
eminent patronage for New York, and
Sammy kicked this one-legged soldier out
of his cherkship because he wouldn't
promise to vote the Democratic ticket.
Mr.. Flower was at the grand soldiers
rally at indianapolis, last week, and this
is what he says about the matter: ,
- =. .Tcontnucd to perform the duties as
signed to me in this Office till October, 1867.
About this time MFR. Nv. +. Warren, the Superin-
tendent than whom more unfinching Republic
can, or man of more unimpeachable integrity
and business capacity never held 0ffice,) was re-
moved by the late Andrew Johnson To make way
for Democrat. Isuspected there would be diff
ficulty in retaining my place, and had talk with
the new superintendent about the matter. He
told me he wanted me to remain at my desk, but
that he could not re-appoint me without the in
dorsement of Samuel j. Tilden, then Chairman
of the State Central Democratic Committee. He
gave me a letter of Introduction to Tilden, stat
ing my qualifications, experience, etc., for the
place. il agla sfoa it
fee, in Nassau street. 1 think. Mr.. Tilden read
the letter, and then asked me II tDere a Demo-
crdt, replied in the negative. He inquired
again, ~Wiu you uOte the Democratic ticket this
fdu and tCOrk in your district for that pdrtyf'
thatI could not.
In a sneering kind of tone he asked tohat claim
L had on him for the place.
stated in reply thatl had acquired considera-
BILE Udldble experience in my particular branch of
the Civil Service, that had been instrumental in
ON more than one occasion, attempted
frauds on the government, thereby saving the
several thousands Of dollars, and that
my work had been done in satisfactory manner.
Added to this said: 81 fought to sustain the
under which yOu are now living in
peace and prosperity, and suffered the loss OF
leg, as you can see:" 0was there on crutches)
Certainly might have chance OF earning my
living in the Civil Service after this"
Mr.. Tilden few into violent passion. with the
most terrible profanity he cursed me for harfng
gone to the tUdr; said it served me right. and il was
pity hadn't lost both e0s' he ifstlted the memo
m of the heroic dead who had fallen on our bat
tle-ields; he cursed the living witnesses and act
ors in that terrible struggle
1nlS is the KIM OF nlau we aTe ask
ed to put in the Presidential chair, to car
ry out the great professions of reform and
civil service; a beautiful civil service re-
former, who would attempt to buy a
and MANNED union soldier over
to his party, by threatening to turn him
out unless he would turn Democrat, and
because he would not turn his coat, kicked
him out. What may be expected all
over the land if he should be elected Pres
ident. OF course the example above, and
that of the rebel House will be followed,
and every wounded Union soldier will
have to travel to make room for rebels.