National Republican., 1885-05-22
THE CLAIMS OF Ex.soLDtrns.

A Grand Army Delegation Discuss
the Veterans Law with the Prcsi-
dent and Department Heads.
\ delegation representing tho Grand
Army of tho Republic of the Department
Of Pennsylvanit and the Veterans Rights
Union. called on the President, Secretary
Manning, and Con. Black, commissioner
of pensious yesterday in the interest of
the enforcement of the laws relating to
the appointment and retention of OK
soldiers in the civil service of the United
States. In their interview with tho
President the delegation asked that tho
law giving the proforcnco in appoint
mcnts 10. ox-Uuion soldiers shall ho on
forced wherever removals are made, and
that whenever reductions of force nro
made the law of 1876, which provides
that in the making of any reductions OF
force in any of the executive departments
| the head Of such department shall retain
those persons who may bo equally qual-
| flied. who have been honorably ischarged
from tho military or naval service OF tho
| United States, and tho widows and or
| phans Of deceased soldiers and sailors,
shah also he carried out.
| Tho President, in reply, assured tho
! delegation that lie desires TO do all that
/ can he done for the old soldiers that as
| President, it IS his duty to see that all
| the laws of the United States are en-
forced aud that he recognizes the claims
( Of the old soldiers upon the government
| But, he said, it is impossible for him to
! give his attention Ia individual cases.
! Tho delegation then asked that he allow
them the privilege Of laying before him
by letter or otherwise any violations Of
the laws in questions which should como
undOr their notice; and they asked FUR
thor that when such cases are brought to
his attention he give them immediate
consideration. Tho President cordially
assented to these requests, and said that
he would bo glad at any time to receive
any communication from them, and
| would give all their communications
proper attention.
Then tho delegation saw Secretary
Manning, and called his attention to the
laws to which they had directed the Pres
idents notice. They also called his at
tcntion specially to the removal of the
assistant custodian of the Philadelphia
postofiiCe building, an ex.sodier, and the
appointment of n civilian to succeed him
Secretary Manning said that the depart.
ment would respect the laws in question
that the spirit of those laws mot with his
hearty approval, bnt that ex-Uniou sol.
diers who have been Extensively partisan
should not expect to be retained in office
that they took their chances in the late
presidential election.
The delegation replied that they realized
this, but they asked that in filling tht
vacancies created by such removals. pref
erence be given to ex-Union soldiers.
Mr.. Manning assented to this, but add
ed that there are a great many honora
bly, discharged union soldiers and sailor
who have never been recognized in tn,
distribution OF offices in the last twent,
years; men who are Democrats. and who
although ox-soldiers ana sailors, some o
them bearing wounds received In dclens
of their country. have never got into of
fee. He said that tho claims Of thes
men would be recognized bv the depart
ment in filling vacancies made by remov
ais for Offensive partisanship."
The delegation replied that II suol
men wero appointed they would make u
opposition to them. They stated also tha
they neither nominated persons for oftic
nor made recommendations, but aslSe
that in the making of appointments pref
orence be givon to ox-soldiers.
Gen. Black informed the delegation
} when called upon, that to him the law
relating to the employment of honorabl
discharged soldiers aud sailors were vor
, clear and plain and needed no interpret
, alton.