davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30

They shall enter upon their duties at once and all
officers. whether elected appointed, shall hold
office until their successors are installed.
SEC. q In of ballot for officers, a majority
of all the votes cast shall be necessary to choice
If there is election the first two ballots the
name of the comrade receiving the lowest number
of votes shall be dropped and SO on IN successive
ballots until an election is made.
SEC. g. Posts may fill any vacancy In their offices
at any stated meeting, notice of such contemplated
action having been given at o previous meeting.
This makes it beyond doubt that:
(a) All the officers of the Post, except the
Adjutant, Sergeant Major, and Quartermaster-
Sergeant must be elected at the first stated meet
ing in December.
o. The Adjutant must be appointed at the
installation in January.
(c.) They are to hold office "until their sue
cessors are installed Vi. e., until the following
January.
The Rules and Regulations are silent as to
how vacancies may be made. They can, there
fore, only occur in three ways-to wit, by death,
resignation, or the sentence of court-martial.
No authority can be found anywhere for a
Post declaring vacancy, or for holding new
election, except as prescribed in Section 3. All
that the Post could do, in the case cited above,
was to elect officers pro tcmpore, or until the
duly elected officers were able to resume their
duties.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
JEWS AS FARMERS.

No one is more conscious than the Jews
themselves of the reproaeh cast upon them on
account of their failure to identify themselves
as other citizens of this country with all its in
terests. The efforts made by the members of
that race to induce their people to embark in
something else than merchandise have been
persistent, and like everything else done by
that hard headed and successful people, di-
rected with skill towards achieving results. In
Cincinnati, where the Jews are the most num-
erous and wealthy of any place in the interior
of the country, there is fund which will pro-
vide every Jew who desires to go to farming
with transportation to the West, where he can
secure farm. and seed, grain, stock, etc., to
begin farming in good style. An organization
in New York City is doing the same thing. A
recent meeting of Jews in New York had for
its object the inducement Of about 500 Russian
Hebrews who have emigrated to this country,
to abandon peddling in the large cities and go
West. In the address made to them they were
told: "You will have hard labor as farmers, but
out all right The best future for the Russian
Hebrews in this country is for them to form
colonies and become seifhelping. 1t is graft
flying to every American Hebrew to know that
the Russian Hebrews want to help them
selyasU
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
WINTER EVENINGS,

As the evenings now are long and getting
method of indoor amusement must be devised,
and what more delightful way of passing the
good, wholesome literature! Nothing makes
home more attractive to both young and old
aloud from some good periodical or newspaper
for one hour or so each evening and THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE will furnish that amount
of reading for the Insignificant sum of two
cents per week-less than ne-third of cent
both young and old of either seq. The boys
and girls can read the questions of their young
friends of the Conversation Club, the farmer
can get some agricultural hints. the soldier can
fight his battles over again, and the busy
housewife can learn something more about
household management, and all this for 81 per
year. The Life of Gen. Logan" can be pur-
chased for 81, and in perusing the life of that
distinguished soldier and statesman many a
lonely hour may be p assed pleasant, and in
Rev. Mr.. Pittinger's story of Capturing
Locomotive" probably no more interesting
matter printed and bound in attractive style.
can be found for the small price of S1.50 than
in any book published.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
CORPORAL TANNER.

Corporal James Tanner, one of the best of
soldiers that the army had, one of the truest
of comrades, and one of the most jealous of
Grand Army men, has been nominated by the
Brooklyn Republicans for Sheriff of Kings
County. There is a majority of several thou
sand to be overcome, but it is believed that
Corp Tanners unusual popularity in the COM
munity where he was born, whence he went
into the army, and where he has resided since
the war, will carry him through triumphantly,
as it should. Corp. Tanner went out in Co. c,
S7th N. Y, and served with his regiment
through all the battles on the Peninsula and
the second battle of Bull Run. In that en-
gagement piece of shell injured both feet SO
badly as to compel amputation, four inches below
the knees, of both legs. Corp. Tanner has been
a leading Grand Army man from the first, and
for some years has been an active member of
the National GAR Pension Committee With
out any legs at all he ought to easily outrun
all competitors who have the advantages of
two limbs.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30

IN reply to several correspondents we win
state, in explanation of section four of the cir
cular relative to Soldiers Homes, published in
our last issue, that the transfer of pension GER
tifcate and pension money refers to original
payments as well as the quarterly payments.
The Governors of the Homes are in the light
of guardians to the members of their Branches,
and there is no obstacle placed in the way of
any we'll behaved pensioner getting any sum
of pension money that may be in the Treas
urer's hands, supervision being only exercised,
as far as possible, to see that the money is
properly applied and not squandered- There
is no desire to or object in retaining pension
money except for the mans own good, and. if
desired the money can be applied for the BEN
eft of the pensioners family.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30

The comrades of the Pennsylvania GAR.
are at last taking steps to make practicable q
proposition which has been mOoted for soma
time, to the effect that the Gettysburg battle
ground should be purchased and put in such
shape as will preserve the chief features for
the benefit of future generations Commander
Dyer has issued General Order requesting all
Posts to subscribe for at least share of stock
of the Gettysburg Battlefield Association II
this is done there will be no doubt that the
project will be made success, and the bat
tlefield be what it should be,-consecrsted
forever to the valor and patriotism of the brave
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
MAJ. w, III. CALKINS.

The candidacy of Maj. w. II. Calkins for the
Governorship of Indiana arouses the friendly
interest of every comrade, for there was
no better soldier than Maj. Calkins, and
a magnificent military record, having enlisted
in May, 1861, as q private, and come out in
December 1865, with Majors strawberry
leaves, and won every step by jealous, untiring
service, and plucky fighting, wherever fighting
was to be done. He was at first in the 14th
Iowa Infantry, and subsequently in the 10th
Ind. Cav.
After being discharged he began the practice
of the law in La Porte, Ind where he has ever
since resided. His good soldiership and good
citizenship made him deservedly popular with
his neighbors, who in 1866 elected him States
Attorney for the Ninth Indiana Judicial Dis
trict, then member of the Legislature, and
then of the Forty-ffth. Forty-sixth, Forty
seventh and Forty-eighth Congresses. From
his entry into Congress he was one of the most
untring friends that the soldiers had in the
House of representatives, and no occasion
when their interests could be advanced was let
pass unimproved.
Personally. he is q pleasant genial gentle
man, upright, able and energetic. His success
will be welcomed by all who admire an earnest,
honest, knightly nature.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30

The excitement over the Presidential cleo
ton, and perhaps other influences combined,
still continues TO depress business and paralyzs
the currents of trade. The Clearing House re-
turns for the past week are the worst yet re-
ported, and show total decline in exchanges
of So $40 per cent. from last year, the bulk OF
which is in New York city. A very large
movement of wheat and cotton to the seaboard
is noted, but prices of these staples are little
lower than they were last week Kerosene ia
trifle higher, having recovered from the g.
preston of the week before, induced by the
discovery of several flowing wells, which,
however, did not develop as had been expected
There is no improvement in iron and steel,
which is unpleasant to note. as an upward ten
dency in these metals usually heralds the ap-
proach of better times. Dry goods are dull
and buyers and sellers are both acting with The
greatest caution. The colder weather devcI-
oped an activity in woolens, which the warmer
weather afterwards checked.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30

HORACE GREELEY once said. in discuss
ing matter, that this, being common sense,
is presumably not law" An excellent IL
lustration of his idea is given by the recent de-
cision in the United States Circuit Court, at
Boston. that war service in the Navy does not
naturalize foreigner. Judge Colt said that
the statutes provided that the foreigners who
served in the Army during the late war were
naturalized citizens without any further steps
being taken, but the Navy was not included in
definite terms in the statute. so he would have
to refuse naturalization. This is case where
the letter killeth for the manifest intention
of the trainers OF the law was to include all men
who fought for the Union.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
ACTING COMMISSIONER CLARKE.

No man is probably doing quite SO much for
the relief and assistance of the ex-soldiers as
Maj. o. P. G. Clarke, the Acting Commissioner
of Pensions. All that a man in his position
can do to infuse greater energy and expedition
into the business is being done, and wherever
he has the power to shorten method or hasten
a result,-with due regard to the interests OF
the Government-he does it. He is genuinely
devoted to his work of beneiting the cx-sol-
diers of the country, and every night finds
him at his desk until IL o'clock, working over
cases. to hasten forward their settlement.
Among the many distinguished gentlemen who
have been mentioned for the Office of Commits
sioner of Pensions, none would fill that office
better than he and his accession to 1T would
be an advantage to every soldier. If given in
reality the powers of Commissioner of PEN
sions he would at once make such wholesome
reforms in that Bureau as would result in inn
mediate and widespread benefits.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30

has been often retold and seems to gather in
terest with each passing year.
At the outbreak of the war Harper's Ferry
was, with the great Navy Yard at Norfolk,
prize eagerly coveted by the Virginia seces-
sionists. Gen. Scott had anticipated this, and
sent all the troops he could spare to guard it.
But these were less than 60, and he asked for
the first volunteer regiment that could be
spared from the defense of Washington to be
sent thither. Letcher, the rebel Governor of
Virginia, was too quick for him, and on the
night of April Is, long before Virginia had de-
cided to secede, sent so strong force against it
that Lieut.. Jones, the commandant, decided to
retire, after setting fire to the buildings and
hauling away in wagons some valuable parts of
the machinery. Still the rebels found q vast
deal of very useful machinery uninjured by
established camp at Harper's Ferry, and con-
centrated some $500 troops there jeff Davis.
like our own Gen. Halleek, always labored
under the idea that the place had much more
strategic Importance than it really possessed,
and insisted upon its being strongly held. At
that time, however, there was political reason
in addition to purely military ones, for con-
siderable force at the Ferry. 1t gave confidence
to the Maryland rebels, and there was a posi-
bility that sufficient force might be suddenly
collected there to make swoop down on
Washington.
1t was evacuated when Gen. Patterson crossed
with the Pennsylvanians into the Valley, to
hold Joe Johnston in check while the battle of
Bull Run was being fought. After that defeat
the rebels reoccupied the town and held it I'M
til Banks moved out in March, 1862, as the
grand right flank of the advance against Rich
mond. When that advance was driven back,
and the rebels retorted with an invasion of
Maryland, we had garrison of $4,000 men
stationed there. Lee divided his forces sur
rounded the place and captured it, with II 900
prisoners, IS cannon, 1900 small-arms and
great quantity Of stores 1t was wretched
affair, on our part, and gave rise to much re-
elimination.
When the rebels invaded Pennsylvania the
next year, Gen. Hooker insisted that Harpers
Ferry should be evacuated, and because Gen.
Halleck would not agree to this, he resigned
the command of the Army of the Potomac.
There were several little cavalry dashes and
small fights in and around the place, and in
all these operations it suffered heavily. The
Government took no steps toward rebuilding
its factories there, and so the town has pre-
sented a very dlapidated appearance since the
war.
Certainly something better could be done
with the property than to sell it for the rela-
lively insignificant sum of $32 40.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
MERCHANDISE VERSUS PATRIOTISM.

Everybody, except an old soldier who has
just claim against the Government, can have
it examined at once and the money placed in
his hands with business-1ike celebrity.
If man has sold the Government a few
hundred tons of coal or thousand barrels of
flour he is paid in "spot cash"
Only the man who has given the Nation the
priceless donations of youth, health, and
patriotic service, is put off, delayed and worn
out with senseless delays.
If a man sells the Nation cloth for uniforms
food for the army, munitions of war, stone for
its buildings, or anything else upon which he
makes fine profit, he has trouble about
getting his money. His vouchers are promptly
examined, his evidence of Indebtedness receives
accounts rendered.
1t is only when a man has given that to the
Government which no money can measure or
pay for that he fails to receive the considerable
attention granted the ordinary creditor. 1t is
only when his claim against it is sacred debt
of honor that he is treated as if he had dis
honest designs upon the Treasury which must
be thwarted if any grounds for doing so can
be found.
Full faith must be given an account rendered
for merchandise supplied the Government and
the dealer who presents it must be treated as
an honest man unless there is evidence to the
contrary. But the man who asks payment for
a lost limb, destroyed eyesight, ruined hearing,
or wrecked constitution is regarded as almost
certainly dishonest and is compelledto prove
his honesty to the uttermost.
The man who furnishes the Government
coal or iron. or building stone, stationery
this week, gets his money next week. But the
man who 20 years ago gave the Government
four years of faithful service,-who exposed
his body to the terrible storms and miasma of
the march and the bivouac and the awful
shock of battle,-must yet wait for weary and
despairing years before he receives that which
is due him. He must pile up proof mountain
high of the justice of his claim; he must
submit to inquistion after inquisition by
Special Examiners and other agents; he must
undergo ordeals at every turn and overcome
obstacles at every step such as no other cred
itor of the Government has to encounter.
When the ardent youths were enrolling
themselves under the banner in 1861, they lit
tie dreamed that the day would come when the
he who trafiicked with it in merchandise.
They mistakenly supposed that their generous
contribution to it of their young lives and
vigorous strength would give them the first
claim to its consideration and gratitude.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
SALE OF HARPER'S FERRY.

The parsimony of Congress has resulted in
the sacrifice of the splendid property at Har-
peT's Ferry for the relatively insignificant sum
Of $50, ITO. ,he sale took place last week, in
accordance with public announcement, and
Thomas J. Savary, of Wilmington, Del, bid off
the principal part of the property the Potomac
water power, said to be the finest in the world
for $50, 100. The Shenandoah water-power
sold for 1910, and some buildings and lots in
the town brought 5000 more. Strong efforts
were made by officers of the Government and
others to have the building used by John
Brown as fort reserved, but plea of that
kind did not receive much consideration from
the Southern Brigadiers and the whole prop
erty was advertised and sold. 1t is understood
that extensive car shops and paper mills will
be erected ON the property.
Harper's Ferrys history begins in 1894. In
that year Gen. Washington visited it, and con-
firmed its selection for the location of the
armory of the young Nation. The Govern
ment Immediately secured possession of the
WATERPROOF and about $500 acres of land
adjoining. and began the erection of shops for
the manufacture of small-arms Here were
made the old musk etswhich were issued to the
troops at the outbreak of the war, and which
kicked so violently that it used to be said that
they were much more dangerous to the men
who held them than to those in front. They
were really a very good gun for their day and
generation, but that day and generation were
past.
Grim "OssawOttamie" John Brown brought
the place into new prominence. Its stores
of arms and its strategic Importance as a base
from which to start bis raid against the slave
power had attracted his attention when he was
carrying on his warfare in Kansas. If he could
get possession of the arsenal there, with its
100, 900 stand of arms, at the head of the popu-
lous and wealthy Shenandoah Valley, full of
stalwart slaves imbued with desire for free
dom, he could organize a slave revolt that
might shake the whole system to the earth.
The story of how he descended upon the viii
iage in the dead Of night of Sunday, Oct 16.
1859, with force of II whites and five negroes
captured the arsenal and the village, started
pari through the whole South, and fought the
swarmng militia with unquailing resolution
until he fell under bayonet and saber wounds;
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
TRIBUNETS.

Norristoscn Herald: Prof. Milne, OF Japan, says
that last season was a comparatively poor one
for EARTHQUAKES" He doesn't state whether they
were planted too many in r hill, or the crop was
damaged by the drouth. or the floods rotted the
seeds; but we suspect the Democratic organs viii
attribute their failure to the Republican admins
tration-
SomerriIie Journal:
Sweet is the voice of the maiden fair;
Bright is the glow of the rising Iuoon;
Soft are the zephyrs that stir the air;
Loud il the blast of the tro;nbone's tune.
The maiden will sleep the morning gray;
The glow of the moon Will fade away;
The zephyrs will die when the night IL gonei
But the brazen trombone will sill play on.
Norristosgn Herald Gen. Beauregsrd. in his arti-
Gle on the battle of Bull Run, says the South was
not crushed by the North ''but it was nibbled
away at all sides and ends. because its executive
head never gathered and welded its great strength
under the ready advantages that greatly reduced
or neutraIized its adversary's naked physical SUI
I'm. And oil this time the North has
been aborins under the impression that this Union
armies Knocked the stufIin' out of 1t.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
OF THE INTERIOR,
WASHINGTON. D. C.. April q. 1Ss

WASHINGTON, d. C., April q, 1884.
The Medical Referee desires to ask the attention
of the Medical Reviewers to the proprety of
greater Iberality in the adjustment of claims. In
stead of rejecting claim if the evidence will per-
it, and instead of fixing the toUest rating the evil
dence will allow, exactly the contrary practice
should obtain-that is to say the highest rating
consistent aVith the eridence is that which should be
allowed, in every case
No claim should be defeated upon purely techni-
cal grounds-ndeed all techncalities should be
eschewed and every claim should be measured
by its merits-determned by a liberal construction
of the testimony.
The law is liberal-intentonaily so--the public
sentiment is liberal and recognizing this be true
no Medical Reviewer should attempt to oppose
illiberal view to such state of lacts. Hereafter
then, no matter what might have been his course
in the past, it is directed land il should be under
stood that the Commissioner directs it, that the
Medical Reviewers shall not look for medical
grounds upon which to reject claim for medi-
cal reasons to deal justly with the claimant, and if
upon oil the evidence, lay as well professional,
a claim may be admitted there should be such lib
eral view to allow the highest rather than the
lowest rating which the law and testimony will
warrant. 7. y. HOOD, NJ. D.,
Medical Referee.
The letter and spirit of this commun ication
icaNe HoldluS 10 DC ueoiIed-eACcpt tlbt tHe
instructions be loyalty and intelligently fol-
lowed If the Law and other Divisions of the
Pension Bureau were equally liberal, the cause
of multitudinous rightful complaints would be
at once removed, and thousands of allowances,
now caught and held on purely technical
hooks. would be permitted to go through, to
the relief of tens of thousands of worthy men
and their dependent ones.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
Original Ssaries.
SPECIAL NOTICE.

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low slip On their paper and see how the num-
Der found there compares with that in the head
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in the receipt of the paper.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
ESTABLISHED 1879
PUBLIS H ED w EE K L Y.
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Invariably in Advance.
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