New-York tribune., 1879-06-03
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIPUNK.i

GRAF IN SPITE OF WHAT HONORABLE sINA-
TORS HAVE PROMISED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIRUNEi
WASHINGTON. June 2.-The discharge of Captain
s. s. Blackford chief of the Capitol police force TO-
day, furnishes very timely and forcible commen-
tary upon the eighth section of the Republican plat
form adopted at the Ohio Convention last week.
The section is as fOllOws
Resolred That the memories OF our dead heroes. who
gave their lives TO save the Nation from destruction,
protest against the expulsion OF their living c0faues
from public offices TO crafty the partisan purposes OF
the dominant party in Congress.
Captain Blaclford is q one-armed Union soldier
from Ohio, and he Is discharged solely because he
is a Republican When the extra session began
charges were preferred against Captain Blackford
by an aspTant for his position, with view TO sup
plying cause which would justify the Democrats
in removing him. Upon on examination of other
charges W hch had been preferred against other
police officials in connection with the same events,
those against Captain Blackford were dismissed
without formal examination as being without foun-
datiOn.
The Capitol Police Board consists Of the architect
Of the building Mr.. Edward Clark, Republican,
and the Sergeants-at-arms Of tho two houses OF
Congress. John G. Thompson, Sergeant-at-arms OF
the House of Representatives, is reported TO have
been aboring for long time to effect the removal
Of Captain Blackford ; but as long as Mr. French
remained Sergeant-at-arms of the Senate Mr.
Thompson was in the minority. When Colonel
Bright was selected as Mr. FrencRs successor he as
sured Captain BIacford that he need have no fears
of removal, as Mr.. Bright was prepared to resist
any pressure that might be brought to bear upon
him in the matter. At the same time Senator Wal
lace the spokesman for the Democratic caucus had
made an announcement in the most public
manner that it was not the purpose OF his
party to displacc any Union soldier holding posi-
tion at the Capitol. In spite of all this
Mr.. Bright found himself unable to withstand the
pressure, and about the 1st of April he requested
CAPTAIN BlackfOrds resignation This was respect
fully refused, and the reasons were stated by Cap
tain Blacl1foTd. The request subsequently re-
peated in a more peremptory tone, and Captain
Blackford by tie advice Of ms Republican friends,
sent to the Police Board a letter dated May Is,
from wlsch the following isan extract;
In 1865 Congress passed joint resolution to the ef-
feet that disabled soldiers honoraby discharged from
ferred for appointment 10 civil Offices other things
being equal (Statutes at large, vol 10, page 573.
sSSd htd ha'RS the Uped States scTcc on or
about Ja9e TO- 1s62 was so atsrTaIa pa6eS
ant and honorably discharged in 1860, Wlth
psnv A, Goth Onto Volunteers, having been honored
during my term of service win position on tue stn
the I'd Brigade, First Division, Ninth Army Corps
twice severely wounded the last tne AZ the attic
lose my left arm by rebel shot.
In addition to wounds received in the military
service of the Government during the late war,
Captain Blackford alludes to the fact that his re-
naming arm was fractured last December while
arresting man at the Capitol from which injury
he is still suffering On the 31st ult. Captain
Blackford received the following letter:
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. May 81, 1879.
Captain s. 9. BLAcKFoRD. CAPITOL Potieei
SIR directed by the Capitol Police Board 10 In
form YOU tnat on the 1st instant p H. Allabach was
elected Captain of the Capitol Police In consequence
YOU are hereby notified that your services in that capac-
ity will after this day. You will please turn over
ali Government property In your charge 10 your
successor, taking his receipt therefor. / cam
not let this occasion pass without personally
atesng to your fidelity and efficiency an officer dur
ipg your connect with the police force. and bearing
testimony TO your character for intelligence and teg
rity ~ a IN an. Very respectfully, EDWARD CLARK,
Architect L. S. Capitol and President Capitol Police
Board.
Every one who knows Captain Blackford will
heartily indOrse the testimonial of Architect Clark.