The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-09-30
SOLDIERS EMPLOYED BY
CONGRESS,


Republican speakers and Republican
newspapers charge that our Democratic
Congress have been discharging Union
soldiers. The falsity of this may be
seen by the following letter from Gen.
Duncan S. Walker, in reply to an inquiry
from Hon. James H. Hopkins of Pitts
burgh. Mr.. Hopkins during his speech
last week at Pittsburgh, read the letter,
and the one from Mr.. Field. 1t shows
that the Democrats have more Union
soldiers employed than the Republican
Congress had. But read the letters:
WASHINGTON, D, c., Sept. 16, 1880.
DEAR SIR-In a swer to yours of the
10Th inst, concerning Republican al'esa'
items that crippled soldiers had been dis.
charged from position in the House and
Confederates employed in their stead, |
have the honor to say, that in an inter
view just had with Mr. Field, doorkeeper
of the House, that gentleman denies in
toto that such is the case. He remem.
bers that but two Union soldiers have
been discharged by him, and their pla.
Ces filled by other Union soldiers in
both cases, better and more deserving
men. One of the men discharged was a
man whose character compelled his re-
moval
"As to the Republican allegation made
in Ohio and Indiana, and perhaps in
your own state, that the no armed cold
ler Decker had been removed, and Con-
federate put in his place, the statement
is as false rs it is wicked. Decker is a
pronounced Republican from Ohio and
votes the Republican ticket regularly,
and is doorkeeper on the upper corri.
dor of the House. He is we'll known
and generally respected. He Is not dis.
charged, and does not fear discharge A
Republican negro employe of the city
postoffiCe here wrote to Ohio, proclaim
ing this lie about Decker, and when con-
fronted by Decker, he acknowledged he
knew his statement was lie, but he did
it to damage the Democratic party.
Doubtless in spite of all denial, this
calumny will be iterated and reiterated
from the stump during the entire cam
paign.
"Mr. Field says he has more Union
soldiers on his roll to-day, and always
has had, than he found when he came
into Office. He has never discharged
man for opinions sake, and be thinks
he never will. These are the facts, and
no matter how often they are stated, they
will be met with the old Republican
falsehood. Every member of Congress,
Democrat and Republican, knows the
precise state of the case, and whosoever
denies any of the above facts, does 80
with the malicious purpose to to mislead
and lie. Very truly yours,
DUNCAN S. WALKER.
Hon. James II. Hopkins"
To this let me add letter from Mr..
Field himself:
Washington, Sept. II, 1880.
Dear Sir-There are to-day, when the
number of employees in this department
is much diminished by reason of the
Congressional recess, seventeen Union
soldiers on my rolls occupying the best
positions. do not think the number
has been larger or so large in past Re-
publican Congresses.
II have made very few removals or
changes, and never one for political rea-
sons. The charge that Union soldiers
have been discharged, and their places
Fl led by ex-Confederates is absolutely
false
mo such action has ever been taken
or contemplated by me, or suggested by
any one.
Very truly, your ob't servant,
CHAS. W. FIELD.
Party necessity must be very urgent to
induce the circulation of such baseless
atoriea