Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-10-04
The VETERANS MUST STAY.
A Test Case at the BROOKLYN Navy.Yard
Decided by Secretary whitney.

New YORK, October 3-A number of |
discharges were made in the Brooklyn |
Nsvy-yard last spring owing to the small
ness of the appropriation available.
Among the fret discharged were seven
veterans. The mater was at once taken
up by the Veterans Rights Union and
efforts we're made to have the men rein
stated in their positions. Commodore
Chandler was appealed to by the commit
tee and they wsre referred to the foremen.
But no satisfaction could be obtained.
The committee, consisting of George P.
Little, Jos. w. Kay and George F. Hop
per, on the 18th of last July wrote letter
to Secretary Whitney, in which they
asked "that due attention be given the
laws concerning veterans, either in orig
inal appointments to positions or to the
preference to which they are entitled
when reduction in force is necessary.
In this connection we would state that too
frequently in the reduction of force the
soldier or eaiior has been the first, not the
last to 90. We have been told when We
have sought to obtain for these men (gen-
orally occupying positions as mechanics or
laborers) their rights under the Law that
the soldier and sailor business was played
out, or have been advised to bring some
ward politicians to plead for the men.
The main trouble in the Brooklyn Navy
yard we find is among the foremen, who
are more anxious to retain their influence
in politics than they are to do justice to
veterans. Can we not ash that you will
i sue au order to each and every branch of
the Navy Depart nent covering the
preference which has been promised by
law since 1865, and never even partially
| g forced until this organization became a
| necessity ?" To the eoove appeal the fol-
| lowing letter was received short time
sgo;
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, September p, 1885.
GENTLEMEN Your letter of recent date,
/ requesting that due attention be given to
| the claims of honorsbly discharged SOL
diers and sailors for employment end re-
| tention in the Navy Department and the
/ yards under its control, has been received.
| In reply l have to say that it will give me
| pleasure at sll times to give preference to
those honorahiy discharged from the mill
| tsry and naval service Of the United
S ates, either for appointments to or re-
tentiou IN office, as the case may be, il
| equally competent aGd dese wing. The
| efforts of tbs Grand Army Of the Republic
to maintain in this way the premium on
prtriotism displayed by these honorably
discharged soldiers and saii RS are COM
mendable and shall have my cooperation.
| You may rest a: sured, the fact that a man
is an honorsbly discharged soldier will not
militste against his obtaining employment
in any of the establishments uud der the
control of the Navy Department. But on
the contrary, the fact will be Gas it has
been heretofore) considered by me as a
recommendation IN favor of the al piicant
for the employment be seeks. should be
glad } have my attention called 10 every
viJiation OF thesiaw wi h reference to the
subject. You're respectfully,
| W. G. WHITNEY,
! Secretary of the Navy.
| Thos. 0'Dell, E4q., Chairman; George P. Lit
tie, Joseph W. Kay, George F. Hopper, Sub
erans' Rights Union, Brooklyn.
Secretary Whitney's letter wss at once
shown to Q mmodoFe Chandler AID the
seven veterans were Immediately rein.
stst d in their positions.