The National tribune., 1886-11-18
A SPLENDID VICTORY.

BY Ear the best news that we have had to
communicate 10 the comrades for this many
day is that contained in the correspond
ence between comrade Jerome b. Burke,
Commander OF the Department Of the Po-
tomac, and the United States Civil Service
Commission, which we publish elsewhere,
and which THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE is the
first to lay before the public.
Indeed, we do not know when we have
had news Of SO much importance 10 COM
municate 20 the comrades, for il is q recog-
milton by one Of the highest departments of
the Government Of principles Of right and
justice TO the soldier, for which we have
made long and stubborn contention.
The correspondence opens with mastery
letter from Commander Burke in which he
sets forth his conception of the meaning Of
Section 1854 of the Revised Statutes giving
preference in civil employment TO soldiers
and sailors discharged from the service on
account Of inability incurred in line Of duty.
The matter and manner Of this letter is wor-
thy of all praise. 1t is such document as
would do credit TO the ablest writer in the
land. Dignifed, concise and forceful, it
drives straight at the heart of the matter
and fastens conclusion from which there is
no logical escape
In reply Of equal merit for perspicuity
and directness the Civil Service Commission
frankly recognizes the force of Commander
Burke's arguments, and accepts his conclu-
sions as an entirety. II goes on TO give this
acceptance what it happily terms vitality"
There is nothing halfhearted or grudging
about this. Having decided what are the
rights Of soldiers under the law, it comedies
the fun measure of them. In brief, the de-
cision of the Commissioners is this:
j. No man can be appointed to the CLASH
fed Civil Service without undergoing an
examination and receiving rating that viii
be at least 65.
2. Among those who have come up to or
exceeded this standard, those who have been
discharged from the military or naval serv-
ice Of the United States on account Of dis
ability incurred in line of duty shall stand
first, ahead of those who have not this quail
fication, and be chosen for appointment be-
fore them.
3. The appointing officer may prefer one
soldier to another, but he may not prefer a
civilian to soldier.
a. In certifying for appointment the SOL
diers and sailors from the State whose turn
it is to furnish the appointees shall be first
certified. If there are not enough Of these,
then those of the next State in order shall
be taken, and so on until the entire requisi-
ton is made up of soldiers and sailors enti-
tied 20 the lawful preference before there are
any certified who are not entitled to this
preference.
In short, every soldier OF sailor in the
United States who was discharged on &C
count Of disability incurred in line Of duty,
and who can pass an examination with a
rating of 65 OF over, is entitled TO appoint
ment in the Classified Civil Service before
an appointment is made of any person hav-
ing such legal right TO preference
The importance of this decision is so APP
parent that il needs no words Of ours to
emphasize it.
Its good effects viii extend beyond the
Civil Service of the United States, for il sets
a standard which viii strongly influence the
States of the North and West in regulating
their civil service, and we mistake the temper
of the comrades in those States if they do
not at once insist upon their laws and prac-
tice being made 10 conform TO that of the
United States.
For all this the comrades should be deeply
grateful to Messrs. A. p. Edgerton, John a.
oberly and Charles Lyman, the Civil Serv-
ice Commissioners. Commissioner John ii.
Oberly showed marked friendliness TO the
claims Of the veterans throughout the dis
cussion, and should receive much of the
credit for the comprehensive statement Of
the rights Of veterans in the Commissions
letter.
Thus another grand point, for which THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE has fought resOlutely
and long, has been gained for the soldiers.
We congratulate the comrades everywhere
upon this splendid victory.
KEEP TOGETHER.
The soldiers Of the country have demon