The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-11
PoRTERs RESTORATION.
Its Effect on Other Claimants-The Case Of
Lieutenant Schomborg.

Its Effect Other Claimants-The Case Of
Lieutenant Schomborg.
Special to the Indianapolis journal
WASHINGTON, July 10.-AIore is being said
about the reinstatement to the rolls of the
army of Gen. Fitz John Porter at this
time than for years past At nc
period during the heat of the discussion of the
question-unless it was upon the first induction
into Congress of the proposition to reinstate
General Porter-has so much been said ,f the
case in its various phases. The old regular
army officers are talking great deal, and they
are reinforced by the men who served in the war
of the Rebellion. The fact that Porter is about
to begin drawing the pay of retired
general of the army makes the en-
emies of his recognition vince woefully.
Porter's case has stimulated all that
people in the country, it seems. who have claims
against the government growing out of the late
war, and especially men who have the charge OF
desertion against their military records and
who have accounts in the way Of pay for serv-
ices rendered against the government.
Senator Mitchell, of Oregon. who is one Of the
most active workers OF the Senate committee on
claims, told me to-day about case which has
been exhumed since the reinstatement CT Por-
ter, which affords quite as much latitude for de-
bate in the public mind as did the Porter case.
1t is the claim of Lieutenant Schomborg. This
man. in 1886, was q second lieutenant in the reg
ular army. At that time it was customary for
officers of the army to tender their designations.
and to countermand it by a private let
ter, in order TO secure a furlough
or leave Of absence. Lieutenant Schom-
borg desired a leave, and following the custom
sent his resignation to the officer in command,
supplementing IL by private note stating that
the tender of his resignation was merely mat
ter of form, and was not to have effect. The
leave of absence was granted, and Lieutenant
Schomborg went off his journey. About
thirty days afterwards. by an order of the gem
eral of the army, this custom of rendering resig
nations in order to obtain leaves of absence wau
abolished and the order included the accept
ance of all the designations then in the hands Of
the superior officers. So the resignation OF
Lieutenant Schomborg was accepted. His name,
however, was not stricken from the rolls at that
time, because he made application for reinstate
ment in the army. and took his case at once ia
the President The matter was looked into very
carefully. and it was readily seen that the resig-
nation was through misapprehension and unin-
territorial. The President. therefore, re-
appointed Lieutenant Schomborg to be
a first lieutenant in the army.
His nomination went to the Senate,
where the facts in the case were looked into.
In rejecting the nomination., the Senate recon-
mended that the name of Schomborg should DO
stricken from the rolls OF the army. The Presi-
dent, however. did not act until eleven years had
elapsed. Meanwhile. Schomborgs name ap-
peared on the rolls Of the army as first leutan.
ant, although he was never assigned 70 duty and
was never recognized as soldier. When final
ly bis name was stricken from the rolls, he went
10 Congress and put in his claim for eleven
years pay as first lieutenant in the army. The
claim has laid in committee ever aimee.
Schomborg served during the late war, and
was a faithful soldier. He pursued his claim,
which amounted to $l2. 900, until few months
ago, when he died Since the reinstatement of