The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-07-26
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY 2s 1885,


be gathered up and forever preserved in our
Soldiers Homes and memorial buildings,
when their present occupants shall have
passed away, is wise and timely one, and
we do not doubt that it will ultimately be
put into execution. What he says concern
ing the Importance of loyal women's work
in connection with the Grand Army, must
command the hearty approval of every true
comrade and friend of the Order. We are
glad to see that he comes out boldly and
frankly in favor of admitting all loyal
women to membership in Woman's Auxil-
iaries. We quite agree with him, too, that
the rank system in the pension laws should
be abolished, and we are particularly graft
fed to observe that he brands the charges of
fraud that have been made against our pen
sioners as unjust and unfounded. AS he well
points out, the fraudulent claims allowed
amount to but one-tenth Of one per cent,
while thousands who are really entitled have
failed to secure their pensions by reason of
the death or disappearance of essential wit
nesses, have been unable to secure the neces-
sary evidence. It is true, too, as he so con-
fidently declares, that the money disbursed
to pensioners is an actual blessing to the
country, and there is good reason to believe
that the disbursements of the Government
on that account have gone far TO prevent a
recurrence of the money panic of 1873.
But perhaps the most weighty portion of
the address is that touching the enforce
ment of section 1854 of the Revised Stat
utes of the United States, which declares that
persons honorably discharged from the mill
tary or naval service of the Government by
reason of disability, resulting from wounds
or sickness incurred in the line of duty, shall
be preferred for appointments to civil offices,
provided they are found to possess the bust
ness capacity necessary for the proper dis
charge of the duties of such Offices AS he
forcibly puts it, our comrades of the Grand
Army have right to know the standing
of each Department of the Government upon
this question, and hold to a strict account
every gross and open violation of this char
tered right given by the Nation to the Grip
pied and diseased Union soldiers We
heartily indorse his suggestion that a
strong committee should be appointed,
backed by stirring resolutions of the En-
campment, to take vigorous and decisive
action upon this question at once, and we
trust that ere these lines reach our readers,
the Encampment viii have carried out his
recommendation.
Commander-in-Chief Van Dervoort very
Justly takes occasion in The course of his
address TO thank his brother officers for their
cooperation, and record the value of their
labors. There can be no question but that
the last Encampment was particularly for
tunate in its choice of officers, and we know
that this appreciative recognition of their
services is well deserved.
The address as whole is indeed not only
exceedingly felicitous and happy in its per
sonal illusions, but remarkably strong and
able in its treatment of questions affecting
the welfare of the Order, and, quite as much
as the work actually performed during his
administration, it must stamp Its author as
one of the most sagacious leaders the
| Grand Army has ever had.