The National tribune., 1885-10-15
VETERANS RIGHTS IN NEW YORK.
The Veterans Rights Union has sent out
the following circular to every nominee for
the New York Assembly:

| ava
| the New York Assembly:
New YORK, Oct 1, 1885.
DEAR SIR In view of the object of this Union,
made a necessity in 1882 by reason of the nom
enforcement of the statute laws of the United States
on the subject and the fact that you are nominee
for the Legislature of 1856 in this State the elec-
ton to be held Nov. proximo. we hereby respect
| fully present understanding of and wishes in
the matter of Veterans Rights and earnestly desire
| to be advised as TO your views of the same. To
that end we esubmt the legal enactnents now exist
ing. the position assume towards certain phases
OF the law, recommending such changes we think
would be proper ones, and request answers to the
questions we PROFOUND.
| CHAPTER 3l2, LAWS OF NEW YORK OF 1884.
| " Sec. ]. In every public Department and upon
| all public works of the State OF New York honor
| ably discharged Union soldiers and sailors shall
| be preferred Tor appointment and employment;
age, loss of limb, other physical impairment,
which does not in fact incapacitate shall not be
| deemed to disqualify them, provided they possess
the other requisite qualification"
Sec. q This act shall take effect Immediately"
Weunderstand that an honorable discharge from
| the military naval service of the United States
during the late and the business capacity nee
essry to discharge the duties of the position applied
for, together with good character requisite,
and then, by virtue of the premises, that the word
shall in the law makes the preference Of such per-
| sons mandatory.
Do you accept this as fair understanding? Ans.
We believe this law was intended to show the
public policy of the State in regard to the veteran.
Do you agree with this view oft Ans.
That it was intended it should be faithfully
observed and its promises fulfilled
Do you agree with us in this? ATs.
We believe it should have gone further and in
unmistakeable language be made to apply TO the
public departments and public works of the
cities. towns and villages of he State
Do You agree with us in this? -Ans.
If elected, will you pledge yourself to support q
| bill amending the law so as to efIaci this change,
ana tiien rec"s":.e and enforce that preference to
| the best of Your ability? Ans.
CHAPTER 410, LAWS OF NEW YORK OF 1884
Sec. 4. In grateful recognition of the services
sacrifices and sutferings of persons who served in
the Army and Navy of the United States in the late
war, and have been honofahly discharged there
from, they shall be preferred for appointment to
positions in the Civil Service of the State and of the
cities affected by this act over other persons (of
equal standing) as ascertained under this act and
the act hereby amended and the persons thus pre-
ferred shall not be disqualified from holding any
position in said Civil Service account of his age
nor by reason of any ply ysical disability provided
such disability does not render him incompetent to
perform the duties of the position applied for"
We believe that this law was intendedto give some
substantial preference. under the Civil Service
system Of the State, TO persons mentioned therein.
Do you coincide in this view? AnS.
We understands
first-That when a number of persons enter a
competitive examination under this system and.
prior to examination, all of equal standing
Second.-That when an examination has been
completed, and those who failed to pass the mini
mum percentage have been dropped from the list
as incompetent and not qualified, all those who
attain the requisite marking and are certified as
competent and qualified, are of equal standing as
aScertaincl under this ct REGARDLESS of Grade
Thfrd.-That in such cases it is mandatory upon
the Commission to certify and the appointing
power to appoint or employ. if any there be, such
persons on the eligible list, as are MENTIONED in
See. A, before other persons not entitled 70 such
rights and privileges @f
Do you accept these vewse Ans.
If, in your opinion this was not the intent and
meaning of this law, will you, if elected, support
an amendment to the same which shall clearly de-
fine what preference, under Civil Service examina-
tons shall be given to the veterans? Ans.
In connection with this matter would respect
fully invite your attention 10 the public policy
shown in declarations of both political parties in
Convention assembled at Saratoga, n. Y, during
the week ending Sept. &c ult.
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
That the provisions of the existing Civil Service
law of the State and Nation should be strengthened
and extended TO all grades Of the public service TO
which they may be applicable, so that the selection
III the NlNll service SHALL
SO far rs possible be governed solely by capacity
and fitness. We insist upon the enforcement of
these laws by all public officials not only in the
letter. but also in the spirit. Honorab discharged
soldiers and sailors who are shown by competitive
examination to possess the necessary requirements
should be given the preference in certfcation and
III appointment"
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
1--WE are in favor of such legislation ms shall in
sure to honoraJy discharged soldiers and sailors
of the late war for the preservation of the Union
priority in examination under the Civil Service
laws and regulations of this State and cities thereof
and upon passing such examination successfully,
priority in certification and appointment all
other persons"
We send two copies One of these we request
you to fill out and send in ineloscd addressed en-
veope by mail, Or if handed you by member of
our Committee, return to him and he will forward;
the second copy you may desire for reference
We are, very respectfully, yours, for the GAR.
Veterans Rights Union, .-.si
GEO +. HOPPER,
Jos. W. KAY,
DENNIS SULLIVAN,
NICHOLAS w. Day,
GEO S. LITTLE,
Subcommittee.
Official: THOMAS BELL, Secretary.
We believe such catechism to be en-
tirely proper. There is no issue presented
to the ex-soldiers and sailors of New York
at all comparable in importance to this mat
ter Of securing to the men who served the
country in its hour of need their we'll
earned rights. 1t is matter that comes
directly home to every soldier and sailor ia
the State, for every one of them has COM
rades and acquaintances who gave their
best years to the Government, and who are
now being rudely jostled aside to make way
for men whose only campaigns have been
political ones and their only service at the
ward polls. Not only the preference of the
soldier for official position has been disre-
garded or denied, but even the poor privi-
lege of earning his daily bread by the toll of
his hands has been interfered with. Ex-
soldiers at work for the State as stone-cut-
ters, carpenters, and similar mechanical
labor, have been discharged to make room
for inferior workmen, who were the tools of
ward politicians and other petty politicians
This is saying nothing of the scores of dis
abled veterans who have been ousted from
positions as watchmen, doorkeepers messen-
gers, etc, which were theirs by every con-
sideration of justice and gratitude
An affirmative answer tn the upestions