The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-01-14
VETERANS RIGHTS IN NEW YORK.

VETERANS RIGHTS IN NEW YORK.
As result Of the splendid canvass which
the Veterans Rights Union of New York,
assisted by THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, made
in the State of New York last Fall, % Of the
30 Senators, and n of the 12S Assemblymen
elected to the Legislature are strongly
pledged to assist in the passage of a law
which will render the preference to be given
the honorably-diseharged soldier and sailor
so plain that she who runs may read"
The Veterans Rights Union has taken the
next step in the matter by carefully prepar-
ing bill and memorial, which will be
presented in the Assembly in few days by
Hon. Jacob Worth in the Senate, and Hon.
n. NJ Curtis in the Lower House. Both of
these gentlemen are comrades and men OF
decided ability, so that their presentation
will command respect and attention.
The bill and the memorial are the united
work of the GAR. Veterans Rights Union
VI &NSh IOlh. IlC ulSUiOildl t'hu A<<ASSueA'>
Committee GAR. Of Kings County, and the
Union Veterans League of Brooklyn,
through subcommittee of each appointed
for that purpose, and which had the valua-
bic advice and assistance-freely given-of
Hon. Walter Howe, of New York city, and
Hon. Noah Davis, Presiding Justice of the
Supreme Court of the First Judicial De-
partment. The documents read thus:
THE BILL.
An Act to amend Chapter 40 Of the Laws Of 1884
entitled: IAN Act to amend Chapter 354 of the Laws
of 1888, entitled: An Act to regulate and improve
the Civil Service of the State of New York
The people of the State of New York, repre-
scented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows
Section 1. Section A. Chapter 4lO, of the Laws of
1854. entitled: AN Act TO amend Chapter S2i of the
Laws of 1885, entitled: An Actto regulate and i'm
prove the Civil Service of the State ofNew York, ~
is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
Section A: Ingrateful recognition of the services.
sacrifices and sufferngs of persons who served in
the Army or Navy of the United States in the late
war, and have been honoraby discharged there
from, they shall be certified such by The Examiner
Board Of Examiners, as the may be- TO The
aud shall be preferred for appointment to
positions in the Civil Service of the State
and of the cities affected by this Act and the several
ActS hereby amended, over all other persons, though
not graded higher than others examined and
certified prorided their quail fcaiions and fitness
shall haze been ascertained provided under this
Act and the several Acts hereby amended, and the
person thus preferred shall not be disqualified from
holding any position in said Civil Service on ac-
g
ability, provided such age or disability does not
render him incompetent to perform the duties Of
the position applied for.
Section q Said Chapter 40 of the Laws of 1884 Is
hereby amended by adding thereto the following:
Section g. Whenever il shall appear after a COM
petitive examination for appointment to position
in the Civil Service of the State of the cities af
fected by this Act and the several Acts hereby
amended that more than such shonorably dis
charged soldier or sailor is qualified to fill the
same, the Examiner or Board of Examiners. as
the case may be. shall certify for appointment to
the appointing officer other appointing power all
| of such honorably discharged soldiers sailors
| whose qualifications and fitness have been ascer-
tanned aforesaid, specifying their respective
grades in such examination, and in such case the
| appointment shall be made from among those SO
certified who graded highest as the result of
such examination.
sections. Inns ACT snail take effect Immediately.
| THE MEMORIAL.
To the Honorable The Legislature Of The State Of Ne,U
York.
Your memorialsts respectfully present pro-
posed bill entitled AN Act to amend Chapter 40 OF
the Laws of 1884, entitled Act to amend Chapter
35i of the Laws of 1883, entitled Act to regulate
and improve the Civil Service of the State of New
| York. and ask for its passage.
The bill is in harmony with the principles stated
in the most recent platforms of both political par
ties in the State and while acceptable to the organ
izatons which we represent, preserves the Compel
tive principle of the Civil Service law in full force
except far to give preference to such soldiers
who may demonstrate their fitness for positions in
the public service of the State, after competitive
examination. while, as between the veterans them
selves, it insures the appointment to Office from
] among those only who rank highest.
In these respects il differs, radically from the bill
of last Winter and it is believed will for this
| commend itself to all good citizens who willing
! to have the State of New York give some definite
expression of its of obligation to the veterans
| of the late war.
| Dated New York, Jan. z, 1885,
THOMAS b. ODELL
Chairman, General Committee GAR. Veterans
! Rights Union
1t is believed by all that the enactment Of
this awwill secure to the veterans of the wal
the preference to appointment in civil en-
ployment which the Civil Service Law
Chapter 40, Laws of 1884, promised, but
which has been construed by the appointing
power, and decided by the Supreme Court in
the case of the Brooklyn fremen, in such 8
way as to render the same practically mop
erative and void.
ANY such law g in recognition Of the serv
ices, sacrifices and sufferings" of those whit
dared death for this country, should mean il
good faith all that it promises. It's languag,
should not be so obscure as to require an in
depreciation by the courts to make its mean
ing plain.
Corp. Tanner put the matter very clearly
in letter to Hon. Walter Howe during TIN
campaign:
Remember, we ask nothing for man who is no
competent, but if he is dare ask anythinl
from the State and Nation he served and saved.
If there be any who may think, perchance tina
we make large drafts the State and Nation lie
them bear in mind that we represent and are sur
I ole