davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1882-05-06
The Ex-Soldier in the Civil Service.

In the matter of civil appointment, we
have, On several occasions, pointed out the
justice of selecting, among candidates of
equal merit, TIE ex-soldiers and sailors who,
when the life of the Nation was imperiIled
by great rebellion, abandoned their pur-
suits on the farm and in the workshop and
the various professions, and risked their
lives that the Republic might live. We have
repeatedly urged this as a measure of simple
justice, and shall continue to do so in the
future. Il is not our purpose to aid in secur-
ing positions in the Government service for
incompetent men, simply because they were
soldiers but we contend, other things being
equal Or nearly 50, that preference should
at all times be given to the g Boys who wore
the Blue" There is no better material in
the country from which appointments of COM
petent officials can be made than the soldier
element; and yet their claims to recognition
ere too often ignored, and, in some instances,
after they have been appointed to an Office,
the duties Of which they are discharging
satisfactorily, efforts have been made to
secure their removal, and sometimes success
fully. While our space will not permit US
TO deal with individual cases, yet we cannot
refrain, by way OF illustration, to note the
efforts that are now being made to secure
the removal of Captain Frederick Ford from
the position he has held for several years,
that Of assistant inspector of hu1ls, at Gal
lipolis, Ohio. Captain Ford's service in the
late war while with the Kanawaha feet have
been pubEc2lly recognized. In addition to
performing his regular duties as gallant
officer, he rendered signal service in saving
Government stores and money-in one in
stance some 100000 being secured from
capture through his personal exertions. He
was highly commended by his superior Off
GERS for his efficiency and energy in the Gov
eminent service, and efforts were at one time
made by his friends to have bill passed by
Congress rewarding him as he deserved.
With such record, and with no charge
raised against either his integrity OF capacity,
we learn that scheme is on foot to secure his
removal. We protest earnestly against the
displacement of such gallant men. Instead
Of removing them from Office, they should
be promoted to positions that would ade-
quately reward them for the sacrifices they
made in an hour when strong arms and stout
hearts were wanted at the front.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

substantial satisfaction. There are wilder
nesses still to be laid under cultivation, for
ests to be hewn, railroads TO be built, mines
to be pierced, manufactures to be estab-
lished-in fact we have need of all the mus
Gle and brains which the old world can spare.
Our forefathers intended this to be an asylum
for the oppressed of every cline. Let us be
thankful that it has become also the para
disc of labor.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06
The Prn,nfso of the season.

{ Crop reports this season possess more
than usual interest for the casual reader,
since the harvest of 1882 is likely TO deter
mine the state Of business for several years
to come. The effects Of last years shortage
have been much more serious than anyone
expected The export grain trade has prac-
tically come to a stand still, and the novel
spectacle has been presented of the greatest.
agricultural country on the face of the globe
sending abroad for supplies of potatoes.
The coincident failure of the cotton crop
has necessarily paTalyzed Southern trade
also, and although there re no indications
of a panic it cannot be denied that business
generally this spring is light and unsatis-
factory. Even the stock market is torpid.
Speculation is confined to the regular habi-
tues Of the street, who, for lack of outside
operators are devouring each other. Jay
Gould has given up the attempt to force
boom in fancy stocks and is now travelling
in the West with an eye to future consOlida-
tions and combinations Should there be a
plentiful harvest, business viii doubtless
revive again, the railroads will earn fair
dividends, and stocks advance, but if, on the
other hand, the harvest should be scant, we
must expect to see return of hard times.
At present the outlook is certainly bright
and cheering. According to the special
reports of the New York Times, which COW
ers thirty-seven States and four Territories,
the condition of the growing crops is gem
orally much above the average, while there
has been a great increase in the acreage
under cultivation. The season, although
backward in some respects, and in localities
quite trying to small fruits, has been ex-
ceedingly favorable to the growth of the
cereals, and with the exception Of New
York, Pennsy lvania, Ohio and Indiana,
every State in the Union promises an in
creased wheat crop. Naturally the floods IN
the Mississippi Valley have retarded agri
cultural operations in that section of the
country, and the area planted viii be less
than last year; but the losses resulting from
the overflow viii be less than was at one
time feared. The prospect is good for at
least an average crop of cotton and tobacco
in all the Southern States. 1t is especially
pleasant to note that the most encouraging
reports come from the great grain growing
region Of the Northwest In Minnesota, it is
said, fifteen per cent. more land is in wheat,
and from all the trans-bIissis8ippi States the
news is of similar purport. 1t is too
early, of course, as yet to accept these state
ments rs more than favorable indications of
what the harvest is likely to be- but it is
something to know that there is nothing
inauspicious in the outlook. Good crops are
greatly needed, and for the sake not merely
of our farmers, but the country generally,
We earnestly hope that the present promise
of the season will be fully realized.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

THE. NATIONAL TRIBUNE is the only
journal in the country which makes a
specially Of Grand Army news, and no COM
rade who wishes to keep posted concerning
the doings of the various Posts should be
without it. At the present time, when
preparations are being made for the Annual
Grand EncamPment, its contents will be
found especially interesting, and our veter-
ans should send in their subscriptions
without delay. There is no bond of union
between widely separated sections and peo-
pie so strong as vigorous, enterprising,
and public-spirited newspaper, and cur ex-
soldiers will find the columns of THE Ma
TIOEAL TRIBUNE a veritable treasury of
news concerning the interests and affairs of
their comrades. The subscription price is
only dollar q year.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06
4 Suggestive Contrast.

The Senate has agreed to the conference
report on Representative Cox's bill to pro-
mote the efficiency of the life saving service,
and it viii undoubtedly become q law.
There is one feature Of this measure TO which
we desire to direct attention. It is that
contained in sections and 8, providing for
become disabled, and the support of the
widows and children of those who perish IN
the service The compensation prescribed
seems to have been determined in accord
auce with the principle so often enun-
ciated in these columns, that if Government
aid is extended at all to those who incur
physical disability in it's service, it ought to
take the form of immediate assistance, while
the claimant ought to be put to the least
possible trouble in proving his right to it.
We are disposed to think that the bill does
not go far enough in the applicatios Of this
principle, but it is admirable as far as it
does 90. 1t provides that every member of
the life saving service who shall be disabled
while in the line of duty shall be continued
on the payroll for one year thereafter, or, If
so recommended by the general superinttnd-
ent, for two years thereafter, and that the
widows and children of those who may lose
their lives in the service shall draw the full
nay of the deceased for period of two years
from the date of death. This simple prOvis-
ion, it will be seen, dispenses with all the
costly machinery Of claim bureau, avoids
vexatious delay, and insures the immediate
support of those who are entitled to Govern
ment aid 1t is defective, as we have said,
in that it does not go far enough. If the
class of persons which this bill is designed
to benefit is at all deserving of national aid,
its claim is continuing one and should be
so treated To arbitrarily limit the dura-
ton Of Government aid TO two years is to
set aside the principle by which alone the
extension of such aid can be justified. The
loss Of the natural protector of family by
death is necessarily continuing loss, and
the support furnished by the Government
should be of the same nature-in other
words, it should take the form of pen
sion.
In so far, however, as this method of COM
pensation makes sure of the prompt extern
sion of aid to the bene6ciaries, it stands out
in splendid contrast to that which the Gov
ernment has pursued in settling the claims
of those who were disabled in its military
service. There are thousands Of cases where
delay in the adjudication of pension claims
has caused actual suffering and distress in
the families Of our veterans, and it cannot
be questioned that many q poor soldier who
long ago gave up the unequal contest with
poverty, would be alive to-day had the Gov
ernmcnt but taken efficient measures for the
settlement of this class Of war obligations.
This phase Of the question cannot be too
urgently pressed upon the attention Of Con-
gress in view Of the proposed increase in
the clerical force of the Pension Bureau, and
We venture the hope that our Representa-
tives and Senators viii be as quick to recog-
nize the claims Of the soldier to immediate
relief as those Of our life saving force.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

In for7oarding his subscription for THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE from Laurence, NaSs.,
Gen. George s. Msrral, Commander III Chief Of
the Grand Army Of TIE Republic, says:
"TTe bold advocacy Of THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE of the rights Of the soldier eEicits my
hearty approval. Keep on as gou hare begun,
and do not consider your 1ror5; accomplished
untH erery soldier cbO as entitled to a pension
receire8 1t, and creyy soldiers 1cjdor and eccry
soldiers child are prOridca for by the Gorera-
meat (SigneG) GEO S. MERRILL"
The National tribune., 1882-05-06
XNantnL-A Now Earv.

It has been tersely said of the ships that
compose our present navy that they are too
poorly armed to fight and too slow to run
away Worse than this even might be said
Of them, as, for instance, that they are IN
seaworthy and endanger the lives OF the gal
liant sailors who man them but it is not
necessary to 90 to such lengths in order to
prove that we need new navy. 1t is
enough to know that our fleet OF antiquated
vessels is unfit to cope with any modern
maritime power, and instead of being a protec-
ton to our commerce and sea, ports it would
really be only an additional inducement to
depreciation on the part Of an enemy in the
event Of war. Indeed, the whole theory of
naval architecture has undergone q revolu-
tion since the days when our present men
of-war were built, and even were they fresh
from the ways they would still be useless
for the purposes of naval warfare. The
modern ship of war is built with view to
speed, and instead of mounting large num-
Der Of guns of moderate caGbre is armed
with q few monster pieces of extraordinary
range and precision. One snch cruiser would
be more than a match for the whole American
navy, for it could stand oil beyond the reach
Of our guns and sink every hulk of the line.
We are accustomed to think Of Spain and
Italy as second-rate powers, and indeed it
make any conquest Of American territory,
but it is worth while rejecting that we
should be powerIess to prevent the destruc-
ton of our seaport cities by bombardment
should the navy Of either country beleaguer
our coast. Our sea-coast defences are in as
wretched state as our navy, and since the
effective range of the big Armstrong gun is
ten or twelve miles, all the torpedo obstruc-
tions that our engineers could devise would
not prevent an enemy's fleet from approach
ing within Smelling distance of New York
or Boston.
But there is no danger of war! How can
any one be sure Of that? The probabilities,
we are quite willing to admit, all favor such
proposition; but who can foresee what in
ternational complications, in spite OF the
peaceful tenor OF our foreign policy may
arise at any moment? And if the i'm
probability of war is to be accepted as
reason for not recOnstructing the navy,
it seems to Us that the same argu-
ment would justify the entire abolition
Of the navy. Looking at the matter
from that standpoint, indeed, does it not
seem rather foolish to spend several millions
annually upon themaintenance of q navy that
we are perfectly well aware is of no practical
utility whatever? But the truth is that we
no longer have any national policy except
the Do-Nothing policy, and so time slips
away and finds lis still unwilling to build a
new navy, though equally reluctant to dis
pense with the old
This inaction, it is but just to say, is not
altogether due TO Congressional Indifference,
but to the charges of jobbery which have
been 60 freely banded about in connection
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

ATA TIME when the daily press is dis
posed to scof at the claims of the soldier
and brand every applicant for pension as
either a beggar or impostor, the value of
journal like THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, which
possesses both the ability and the will to de-
fend our veterans against the contemplate
attacks of their enemies, can scarcely be over
estimated, and it ought TO receive the most
substantial support. The present is critical
period for the Nations defenders, and upon
the action of Congress at the present session
in granting or refusing the application OF
Commissioner Dudley for an increase IN the
clerical force of the Pension Bureau may de-
pend the welfare of thousands OF Impoverished
families, but THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE does
not despair of winning the battle providing
the soldiers themselves rally to its aid
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

THURSDAY next, the 11th instant, having
been fixed by the House for the special con-
sideration Of pension bills Of general
character, there is some reason to believe that
real progress viii shortly be made in the
direction of pension legislation. It IS 10 be
hoped that the discussion viii take wide
range and embrace the whole subject Of
soldiers pensions, SO that intelligent and
liberal action may be taken and safe proce-
dents established for the future. There is
no branch Of the Government with the
details Of whose management Congressman
are so unfamiliar, as rule, as the Pension
Bureau, and this ignorance has always been
one Of the principal obstacles TO the just
consideration of pension measures; but the
present House seems disposed to give a fair
hearing to the claims of the soldier. and we
are willing to believe that ii VIII not fail Of
IFS du+y
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

WITH partisan politics TIE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE has no sympathy, and ii would be
the last to antagonize any party as such with
a solid soldiers vote, but at the present time
when the congressional inactivity and neglect
are delaying the settlement of the pending
claims, it is the duty Of every soldier, whether
disabled or not, to enter his remonstrance.
The moment that our Congressman realize
that their Indifference to the wants Of the
Pension Bureau may alienate the support of
The veterans they viii make haste to repair
their error. They cannot afford TO ignore
the wishes of their constituents when they
take the form of public appeal for the con-
sideration Of pension measures.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06
Official Organ of the Grand Army.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SIXTEENTH

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE cIAIELNIH
NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT G.. A. r.,
BALTIMORE. March 81, 1882.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
SIR: / am so much pleased 'cjth the fearless
adrocacy Of the soldiers interests pursued by
gotr paper that haze taken a personal interest
in Introducing it into this Department. I .far-
Tier desire to make IL the OFFICIAL ORGAN OF
THIS COMMITTEE, and 'riH furnish gou acecbly
ariF 50 much Of this committees correspondence
Gs 1~.T bc interesting to oar c0mrGGeS tEroUgtoHt
tn coaairy 3rHo intend gisjtiag this city on tbe
occasion Of the assembling Of the National En-
cGHpMeRt, in June meet.
You're g,ey,, y,,,I,f
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

IT WAS the practice of the Government
during the late war TO make as few ex-
changes Of prisoners as possible, the loss Of
men being more serious blow TO the Con-
federate than The Union army, and so it game
about that our soldiers were left to waste
away in Southern pris0n-pens while the
captured rebels were well led and clothed.
At this late day it IS unnecessary to rehcarse
the horrors Of Libby ana AndersonyiLle; ;
they have passed into history, but the intro
duc1ion IN the House Of a bin providing for
the pensioning Of those who were confined
ia rebel prisons reminds us that they have
a strong claim upon the Government for
special aid. Their su1ferings were unduly
heightened and prolonged by the war policy
OF the time and what they experienced falls
scarcely short of maItyrdom.
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, until June 80
$1.00 year.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

As THE time approaches for the conven-
ing of the National Encampment Of the
Grand Army it becomes increasingly evident
that the occasion will be one of the most
brilliant in the history of the Order. The
attendance promises 10 be immense and the
good people Of Baltimore are doing every
thing in their power to insure fitting
reception TO the veterans. TIE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE, we need hardly say, viii contain
full reports OF every thing connected with
this great event, and comrades who wish to
keep posted in regard to it viii do well to
send in their subscriptions at once.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06
lGIhe e21afiona1 Gritute

The VALIDITY OF TIE PUBLIC DEBT or UNITED
STATES AUTHORIZED eY law INCLUDING DEBTS INCURRED FoR
PAYMENT OF PEE5oEs AID BCUNTEs FoR SERVICES n SUP
PRESSING ISsuRRecTIoN or REBELLION SHALL CUES
TIoNEO."-SEc. Z, ART. XIV, CONSTITUTION OF TIE UNITED
STATES.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

RETO SUBSCRIBERS .-WHEN CHANGING
YOUR ADDRESS PLEASE GIVE FORMER As WELL As
PRESENT. ADDRESS, WITH COUNTY AND STATE.
sETkKE NOTICE-lN SENDING MoNGYFoR
SUBSCRIPTIONS BY MAIL, NEVER McLosE THE
CURRENCY EXCEPT IN A REGISTERED LETTER.
A A POSTAL. MONEY ORDER OR A DRAFT ON NEW
York IS THE BEST FORM OF REMITTANCE.
Losses BY MAIL WILL BE MOST SURELY AVOIDED
IF THESE DIRECTIONS ARE FOLLOWED.
E5-No RESPONSIBILITY is ASSUMED FOR SUB
scRlPTloNs PAID TO AGENTS, WHICH MUST BE
AT The RISK OF THE SUBSCRIBER.
rs COMMUNICATIONS, SUBSCRIPTIONS, AND
LETTERS UPON ALL BUSINESS MATTERS EELAT-
Ee TO THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
MUST BE ADDRESSED TO
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
6t5 FIFTEENTH STREET, WASHINGTON, D. c.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
(EsTAsllsHE0 1879
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY,
(EsrAsusHED 1879

To CARE FOR HIM WHO HAS BORNE TIE BATTLE, AND FOR
Ms yIr rJr AND oRPHANs."-A -AHRsHAw LINCOLN.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

Terms TO Subscribers, Payable in Advance:
(posrAoE PREPAID
CN- COPY, ONE YEAR Sf.5o
fNE COPIES e.25
CyE cory THREE MONTHS 50
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GUEST
TERMS FOR ADVERTISING ruRNrssrO UPON APPLICATION.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

PATIENCE Is a characteristic trait of the
true soldier, but We suppose there is limit
to the patience even of a soldier. How long
would the average Congressman submit to
such delay in securing his salary as attends
at present the settlement Of a pension claim :?
Not very long, We imagine, and yet how
much better the average Congressman can
afford to wait than the average applicant
for pension!
The National tribune., 1882-05-06
Yours, Cery truly
W3I. Z. ". Ross
Chairmaa ErecNtire Commit

F0R THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE the wrongs,
the sufferings, the hardships, the troubles of
our ex-soldiers always possess living inter
est. To it the memory of their valor and
their heroism is ever present, and it is proud
to know that It has contributed in no small
degree TO the establishment Of their claims
upon the Government. But its power is in
proportion to the strength of their support.
The longer its subscription list the wider lis
influence This is point for the soldier to
remember and act upon.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

TERMS FOR ADVERTISING rusmserO UPON APPLICATION.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

6t5 FIFTEENTH STREET, WASHINGTON, D.
The National tribune., 1882-05-06

THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, until June 80,
$1.O0 year.
The daily gazette., 1882-12-22
NEWS TO-DAY BY WIRE
FORENOON TELEoRAMs Te
THE GAZETTE M
MORE OF MRS. LABoUUHERE'ssUI1
what is Said About 1t To-Day-hed-
paths Lecsure-Ciub House Gampnng--
Domestic News. fNF

NEW YORK, Dec. GA special frsHt
Richmond to-day says: "Richmond society
Is in a futter of excitement over the develop
ments which have grown out OF Mrs.
Labrouchere's sub rose visit TO this city, on
December 4th. The newspapers here were
apprised OF Mrs. Labouchere's departure
from New York on December Sd for this
city, and in vain watched for her
coming. The appearance of the name OF
Mrs. Pigeon on the hotel register afforded no
clue to the Jersey Lilly's friend. During
her stay In this city Mrs. Pigeon, or Mrs.
Labouchree, is known to not have received
calls from friends who have claims on her
In this vicinity.
1t is not probable that under the present
bill fled by her counsel that Mrs. Pigeon
will be able to obtain divorce as stated in
the dispatches last night. The Virginia
divorce laws are somewhat vague in the re-
quirement- that q plaintiff IN such suit
shall be q resident of this State
1t seems that Mrs. Pigeon bases
her claims to an abode In Virginia, on
one DAVIS soiourn in the Richmond hotels,
before seeking divorce in her behalf. As
soon as the papers In the divorce suit were
made out and filed Mrs. Langtry's friend
and party left for the North"
Col. j. III. Darlington, senior member of
the law firm here who represents Mrs. La
bouchere In the proceedings for divorce,
said to-day that If she is the wife of Labou-
chere she cannot maintain a suit divorcing
her from Pigeon before Virginia court.
Other lawyers concur in this opinion. The
order of publication in the Pigeon suit was
made in the Richmond State newspaper, and
is as follows: M 4.s ..f
VIRGINIA. In the chaneery court Of the city
of Richmond, December g. 1882, Henrietta
Pigeon, who sued by her next friend, @. j. Car
rington, plaintiff, against Richard Pigeon, de-
fendant, In chaneery. The object of the suit is
to obtain for the plaintiff decree of divorce
from the bonds of matrimony from the defend
ant and an affidavit having been made and
filed, that the defendant Richard Pigeon is
not resident of the State of Virginia, II Is
ordered that he appear here within one month
after due publication of this order, and do
what may be necessary to protect his interest
in this suit.
copy. Teste,
BENJAMIN II. BERRY, Clerk.
DnnnIng, Edsali, Hart & Fowler, and Car
ringtOn Davies h Hooper, Counsel. ri0