The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-05-14

THE PRESIDENT AND THE SOLDIERS
The result of the interview with the Presi-
dent last Friday by delegation of repre-
sentative ex-soldiers is very encouraging
The President received the delegation with
great eardiality, and showed, unless all signs
are worthless, n genuine appreciation of and
interest in what was said to him.
The superior claims of ex-soldiers TO con-
sideratiOn in making appointments were
admirably stated by Comrade Kay in his
remarks. He promised these by saying that
the Veterans Rights Union, which he rep
resented, was made up OF men who were
pledged not to be candidates for any office,
nor would they originate any application
for Office. But when two men were candi-
dates for the same place, and one had served
as soldier and the other had not. they
would, where the qualifications were equal,
or nearly equal, give their support to the
soldier, and they asked that this be made
the rule in the matter of appointments, and
that when reductions and discharges were
made the ex-seldier be similarly favored.
The President replied with great heartiness
that considerations of this kind were con-
tinually kept in mind, and allowed full
weight.
Comrade Kay explained that while the SOL
der was at the front learning the grand
trade of war and fighting the battles of the
country, the men who remained at home
were getting long start of them in the life
race. Therefore, nothing could be more just
than that the Government should prefer
these men now for such employment as it
had to offer. To this the President assented
with great heartiness, and the interview
closed by his saying earnestly:
Keep withia 60a,sds, ash nothing RHreGson-
able, and shall do my part
This is all that any body could ask a pub
lie man TO say, and the delegation came away
well pleased with the result of the inter-
view. The impression made upon the minds
of every one was that the Presidents inten-
lions are much stronger than his words, and
that he really means to make the spirit of
the following sections of the laws of 1876
dominant in appointments to, and retention
in, Office:
SIC. I754 Persons honorabiy discharged from the
military naval service by reason of disability re-
sultng from wounds or sickness incurred in the
line of duty, SHALL be preferred for appointments
to civil Offices provided they found To possess
the business capacity necessary for the proper dis
charge Of the duties Of such offices.
SEC. 8, Chapter 2S7, Laws of 1876 lin part Pro-
vi,ied that in making any rencton Of force in any
of the Executive Departments, the head OF such
Department SHALL retain those persons who may
be equally qualified vino have been honorably dis
charged from the military naval service of the
United States, and the widows and orphans of de-
ceased soldiers and sailors.
They feel confirmed in this belief by his
course while Governor of New York. That
State has On its statute books law similar
to the above, which was treated with rs
little respect by the men in power at Albany
as those about Washington have been in the
habit of treating this law. Shortly after
Mr. Cleveland was installed as Governor a
| reduction was made in the force employed
on the new State House. 1t was brought to
his attention that the law relating to old
| soldiers was being 1agrantly disregarded in
making the discharges, and he at once wTete
letter which brought about strict OBJ
servance of the law in every department of
| the State Government
We believe, with the delegation, that the
President means to do justice to the ex-
soldiers We believe that he means that
| where man in Office has served his country
| faithfully, it shall be strong additional rea-
son for not displacing him. and that where
two men of equal fitness, or nearly equal
fitness, are candidates for place, the soldier
! shall be preferred over the civilian. We
| congratulate our comrades upon it.
| We shall watch with interest the carrying
| out of these intentions