The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-12-13
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
The Grant Pension Bill-A Commendable
Movement-Hon. j. V. l.. Findlay-
Topping Out the Monument, &c.

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. December 9th, 1884,
Messrs. Editors :--Senator Mitchclps bill, intro
ducedin the Senate last week. to pension Gen. Grant
for the "valuable services he had rendered the
country" and who "has been twice President of
the United States" was withdrawn yesterday,
Gen. Grant expressing an unwillingness to accept
pension from the Government, which is intend
ed for wounded Union soldiers, their orphans and
widows. But there is q general belief that he
would not be so averse to being placed upon the
retired list of the army, from which he retired to
accept the Presidency, and which would seem to
be more appropriate. There have been one or
more bills introduced in the Senate at previous
sessions of Congress for this latter purpose and it
is not impossible that another may be introduced
this session and become law, which the whole
country would approve.
Hon. II. D. Taylor, of Ohio, introduced bill
in the House last Thursday, providing that no
honorably discharged Union soldiers or their
widows or orphans should be dismissed the civil
service of the Government under the incoming
administration except for cause. How far such a
bill, should it become law, would protect such
cannot be easily determined, for it is a very easy
matter to find technical cause to dismiss any one
from Office under an administration so disposed.
Yet it would seem right that this class of persons
at least should have some preference and be pro-
tected from dismissal, which perhaps would only
be to have other persons put in their places who
were not loyal and never made any sacrifices for
the Government in the hour of its need. This
would seem to be due the loyal sentiment of the
country and certainly it is due the class referred
to who were willing to sacrifice everything on the
altar of their country. If the bill should become
a law it would not be restricted in its operation
to the class Of employees in the departments here
and in some of the custom houses and larger post
offices who are supposed to come under the pro-
visions of the Civil Service Law and to be pro-
tected by them, but it would apply to the ex-
Union soldiers, their widows and orphans employ
cd anywhere under the Government. l cannot
say much with regard to the bill becoming law,
but it apparently had its origin in the apprehen-
sion that the class referred to in it would be I'M
tremendously dismissed from Office, with others,
when Cleveland comes in, if that were his policy,
without any regard to the sacrifices they have
made for the Government, in many instances of
their whole health limbs and everything else they
hold most dear in life. There is no doubt, and
they can be seen any day about the Departments
here, many persons who were in the Union SER
vice and could not, if now dismissed from the
civil service, make living in any way at all, on
account of the wounds they received in the mill
tary service or their health broken down there,
but who in the easy service of the Government
are amply able to perform the duties of their Of
fees. And this much consideration at least should
be paid them, that they should be retained In
their places, whether the administration be Re-
publican or Democratic.
The Reagan Interstate Commerce bill has been
under consideration in the House of Representa-
tives for a couple of days, and yesterday Mon
day. Mr. Findlay, of the Fourth District of Mary
land, made very able speech in opposition to it..
Mr.. Findlay is recognized in the House, as else
where as very intelligent man and able speaker,
and though but comparatively a new member, the
present Congress being the first to which he was
ever elected, he fails of attentive listeners
when he essays to speak. Such was the case when
he took the floor 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon
and began his speech the members crowded
around him, listened to him all the way through
and when he had finished many congratulated
him on his effort. He made many excellent points
appertaining to the bill. Mr.. Findlay attracted
good deal of attention on the tariff last session,
making one of the ablest speeches on the protec-
ton side of that question that was made.
Notwithstanding the great inclemency of the
weather last Saturday afternoon, the rain falling
fast and the wind blowing at hurricane rate,
making it extremely dangerous and disagreeable
for any one to go on top of an unprotected emf
nence, the ceremony of laying the cap-stone of
the Washington monument took place at2 o'clock,
in the presene of the joint commission, the engi-
neer and assistant engineers, the constructors and
few others-visitors-who had the hardwood to
brave the storm to see it. The ceremony was of
a rather private character, not more than dozen
or so persons all told being present. The corner
stone of the monument was laid "July 4th, 1S4S."
The dedication ceremonies will take place next
February, as stated in a previous letter. The
structure is $50 feet high, and the large flag that
was unfurled to the wind on top of the temporary
flag staff foated at height of 600 feet from the
ground. On one side of the aluminium point of
the p-stone is the inscription: "Joint Commits
sion at setting of -stone-Chester A. Arthur,
W. W. Corcoran (chairman), NJ. E. Bell, Edward
Clark, John Newton" &C., with other inscriptions
on the other sides.
Senator Germans residence is No. 1909 Massa-
chusetts avenue, instead of 1909, stated in last
weeks letter. ANON.