The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-10-19
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
he following resolutions were adopted:

Inc following resolutions were adopted:
WHEREAS, The citizens here assembled are
mindful that the comrades of the q. A. L. rep
sent every existing political organization, and
it is the purpose of this movement to help Or
ganize the patriotic sentiment of the country
in the interest of the veteran soldiers and sail
ors, without reference to their party aftilia-
tions; we do, therefore,
ReSOlUe, FirSt-That we have learned with
deep regret that veteran soldiers and sail
ors who held positions under the Government
have been dismissed without cause, and in new
appointments men worthy and capable have
been put aside who twenty years ago pledged
their lives that this Republic should suffer no
harm.
SecOnd-That in our Judgment the public
sentiment which demanded, the patriotic Con-
grcss which enacted, and the President who
approved Sections 1904 and 1755 of the Revised
| Statutes of the United States aimed to prevent
such discrimination against those veterans,
and in their behalf the Grand Army of the
Republic should see that the exigencies of par
tisan politics do not rob them Of the fruits of
this just legislation.
ThWd-That in our judgment no veteran
soldier or sailor should be denied place in the
civil service of this Government so long as
there are places he is fitted to fill. and no po-
litical party has the right to prescribe those
men.
Fourth-That we point with pride to the
veteran soldiers Of that army which arose at
the call Of the martyred Lincoln to preserve
free Government in this land, whose discharges
are certificates of service for this country when
service was sacrifice who are not bcggars for
place, who want no snecureS, and who have
earned the right to serve in peace the Govern
ment for which they volunteered to fight in
war.
Ftbb-That equal capacity being assumed,
such men should have preference in appoint
ments under the Government where statute
and patriotic sentiment alike prohibit dis
elimination against them in the various de-
partmentS Of the public service. and we do,
therefore, pledge ourselves by all legitimate
methods to maintain the rights and assert the
privileges of the veteran soldiers and sailors of
this land whenever wherever and by whOmso-
ever those rights and privileges shall be
mcnaced.
After these resolutions were adopted one of the
comrades suggested that Major Willard Billiard,
Of Post 8, a prominent Grand Army man, but
also an ofiicehodcr, being harbor master at this
port, should be heard. He claimed that, though
according to their circular he had no right to
be there yet he always went wherever some
good might be done TO the soldier, and, though
active in politics, he was always ready to stand
by his comrades.
The executive committee was then in
structed 10 communicate with Posts through
out the United States, so as to make it national
organization.
The assessment of 81 per Post was then sug-
gested, but referred to a finance committee for
report. The meeting adjourned after voting to
print 10000 copies Of the resolutions. After
the meeting numerous comrades fingered for
IN ba h,I q,
movement
To-day but too little time has elapsed to as
certain the effect of this important movement
upon the individual Posts as not many of them
have held meetings since Friday. l will report
TO your readers the action taken in regard to
the same by the leading Posts.
AN IMPARTIAL ADMINISTRATION.
There is one thing however, which many
comrades admit-that the present administra-
ton is exceedingly free from any discrimina-
ton against veterans, and no removals have
been made except for cause. 1t is positively
known that the present Secretary of the Treas
ury has made it a point always to give the
preference to veterans, where everything else
is alike. not only in the Department proper,
but In its various branches Whether there is
truth in the charges brought against the Post
Office in New York remains yet to be seen,
though it is said that even there veteran was
discharged for cause 1t is rumored, however
that member Of John A. Dix Post asked for
leave Of absence on an evening that his Post
was to consider the subject of this meeting,
and his superiors purposely refused to grant
him leave to attend. Whether this is so or not
remains for the Post Office authorities to
explain.
Upon motion of Comrade Morgans, Post 135,
the executive committee were instructed to
send notification of the action of this meeting