National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-11-12
THE Ex-soLDIERs.
Their Rights TO be Protected in the
New York weighership and Else
where.

Their Rights 10 be Protected in the
New York welghership and Else
where.
The correspondent of the REPUBLICAN, in
New York, in his letter of 10th inst. published
yesterday in remarking on the matter of sol
diers and sailors on the chief woghership,
mentioned Mr.. J. W. Kay W. being in Washing.
ton urging upon the President ald the civil
service commission the necessity Of strictly
observing that section of the Revised Statutes
which says that ex-soldiers and sailors should
have the preference in appointment &c
Areporter found Mr.. Kay at the Bbbitt House
last night and in answer to queries put to him, he
said: 81 am here In the interest ofthe the Vvter.
ans Rights Union and the claims ofthe veterans
Of the war but though have seen the President
twice this week, 1 have not considered 1t
necessary TO speak TO him on the subject Of the
chief weighership of New York This was not
requisite, because section l7bl Revised Statutes,
section of the civil service law, and letter of
Instructions TO examining boards under civil
service on this subject would seom to leave. no
doubt as to whit the law really WAS This let.
ter bears date Oct. 90 1884.
The President has so oftcn declared himself
in favor of the carrying out OF all laws in the
interest OF the soldier or sailor honOrlbly dis.
charged, and In his own Appointments has
shown such q conscientious desire to do his
duty In that respect that the question, In Wow
OF tho sections and letter mentioned, was net
called TO his attention. | think that the sol.
diers OF the land have the utmost conhdo ice
that In the weighership as In all matters alrect.
ing the soldier, the President will require the
strict enforcement and fnir construction Of
legal enactment in their favor and II would
be absurd, under such circumstances, to have
mentioned such matters to him. | do wish,
however, that all in authority, occupying po-
sitions having power Of appointment and en-.
ployment, would study, recognize, and act on
the law as he does In such matters; then the
T ~ r,at would nRne no Sa1s9 for compliant
quiring bis friends or himself 10 beg for that
which belongs TO them. lnattentlon to the
claims Of worthy veterans e not shown by
those in high position so much as In the minor
selves"
The letter referred to by Mr.. Kay isas fol.
1.-THE 10th section OF the Revised Statutes
contains this Language, viz Persons hon
orably discharged from the military or naval
service by reason OF disability resulting from
wounds or sickness incurred In the line of
duty shall be preferred for appointments to
civil Offices, provided they are found to possess
hs business ., capacity for ,hc proper
tion Of the civil service act specially re-
serves this right of preference TO those to
whom II belongs under the statute above quoted
i'll civil service examinations
I'm the view of the commission, and. IL may
be added, Of the President also any applicant
honorably discharged for such cause who as
the result of an examination has been placed
upon a register as eligible for appointment,
should be certified In preference to any other
person thereon not entitled to such preference
examined for the same part of the service,
even though such persons are graded higher.
Without .such priority in certiticatlon, It up
pears TO be hardly practicable to give the pref
erence In appointment which itisecms to be
the object OF the statute to secure. You arc
requested to act upon this view IN making Ger
| tifcntions.
There docs not appear to 30 any authority
| on the part of an examining board or the COM
| mission to require the production of the order
| of discharge as the evidence of the right oi
preference claimed, and they must, therefore,
| accept the definite oath ofthe applicant stating
| the fact as adequate priml fncic evidence.
at viii probably be within the means of tho
appointing power to require, If desired, the
| production of such discharge.
each ratification should, on its face, show
any claim of preference made by either person
| certified, and the appointing officer can, o
course, inspect the application paper If he
| wishes.
I'm aid OF carrying this view of the matter
| into effect with the least trouble and the mos
| certainty, the claim of preference stated in al
| application should be noted under the name o
the applicant both in the record and in the
| rcpistCrh