National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-04
GRAND ARMY GRADUATES.
Their Chances for Their Rights Under
This Administration--An Interesting
Correspondence.


Gen.W f. W. Ross, the past senior vice com
manderin.chief Grand Army Of the Republic,
wrote letter to the President last month call
ing attention to the Presidents assurances that
where sections 1851 and 1855 Revised Statutes
and section 3, chapter 2s7 OF the laws Of 1876
were disregarded he would see that right was
done. Gen Ross also called attention to the
ease of Capt s. s. Baker, who was dismissed
from the Baltimore custom house, in order to
reduce the force i Is claimed, which Gen. Ross
mentioned. The letter was also Endorsed by
II. G.. King, adiutant Wilson Post, q. A. H., for
Veterans Rights Union of Maryland. The
President made the following reply
GENTLEMEN: Your letter calling my atten.
ton to the discharge of Capt. S. s. Baker, an
inspector attached to the custom house In the
city of baltimore and citing In opposition TO
such discharge the provisions of the statute
giving preference TO certain honorably dis.
charged soldiers in making appointments in
the public service, has been received, AZ my
request report OF the facts connected with
the discharge referred to has been furnished
me by the Treasury Department
II appears that recent examination of the
Baltimore custom house and its operations
resulted in the conclusion that a considerable
reduction in the number Of its employees could
be made, without detriment to the service, and
that the employment of four inspectors could
probably be discontinued,
OF course the inspectors to be thus relieved
Of duty should DO those the least useful and
efficient
The report above alluded to and now before
me declares that ''among the number thus Sc.
lected as the least efficient was Capt. Baker,
whose personal habits were such as TO inter.
ferc with the proper discharge OF his duties"
The special agent of the treasury who SUI
pervised the examination, and at the request
OF the collector the selection OF the INSPECTORS
to be dropped, whose party affiliations are not,
am informed. in accord with the present ad.
ministratlon in his report adds: ~ was careful
that none but inefficient officers should be dis.
/ m IN mi IN
| has been made In the case Of Capt. Baker.
During the examination could learn nothing
that would warrant his retention in view of
| ascertained facts respecting his inefilciency."
You must concede, think, that this official
| statement not only justified, but actually de.
manded the action ofwhich you seem inclined
cannot think for n moment that you in.
| tend to claim that the statute giving prefer
| ence OF employment to honoraby discharged
soldiers should be so construed as to prevent a
reduction OF the force in any branch OF the
| public service when q due regard for economy
| demands the same. And though have
| adopted the theory that the spirit of the law
requires that the same preference should be
| applied to the retention OF soldiers when re-
| duetion is necessary, as to their Appointment
DO not suppose you claim i6i that ms preference
are unworthy or inefficient The law you
| quote was not expected in It's operation 10 i'm
pair the public service, but to secure the recog-
milton In public employment by preference
in selection of such of the discharged soldiers
and sailors mentioned Ia the statute as could
and would furnish faithful and efficient work.
| II is well that associations should exist such
| MS you represent organized for the purpose of
protecting and enforcing the right thus guar
anteed by law. The statute Is based upon JUS
| ticc and n proper and generous appreciation
of the services Of those who risked their lives
for the safety of their country in her time OF
need. The letter and spirit of Its provisions
should be fairly and in good faith observed.
But It should always be remembered that SER
vice lii the army or navy does not of necessity
fit applicants for the proper discharge of duty
in all public employments, and the unwel
come fact must also be conceded, suppose
that discharged soldiers and sailors may some
times prove themselves unworthy OF employ
mGnt or retention in public positions.
Thus, while your association may with per-
feet propriety insist that the letter and the
spirit of the law should be scrupulously com
piled Th may nb not be suggested tn that due
of government business should require n care
full consideration of cases of alleged violation
before complaint is made?
| lbelcve that the present administration ha
furnished abundant proof of sincerity in its ad
herence to the principle upon which the pref
erencc given to soldiers and sailors is founded
But beg you to consider the limitations which
necessarily surround the rule, and which mus
be observed If we seek Its just and fair appli
cation. And my words should not be miscon
strued when add that the persons intended
10 be benefited by the statute are not found eX
clusiyely in one political party, nor necessaril,
within the membership OF the useful and benz
w VI
officially connected.
Above ALL let us constantly be reminded tina
the good of the people and the protection G
their interests is the duty Of all public officers
Yours very truly, GROVER CLEVELAND
In answer, Gen. Ross wrote letter, i
, which he says " II is not the intention of on
veteran organizations to interfere with n
, economical administration of the several dc
, partments of the government, nor do we dc
, sire to foist upon the government incompetent
! and provided In our interests have been s.
long disregarded that our soldiers homes ar
being filled with competent, and efficient ant
honorable men, who have been driven there
because their physical disabilities a of
character that prevents them from battling
with the world in business competition will
those who were well housed and fed durn
four years of what was, to us, exposure AM
privations.
"Your patient hearing of every petition sen
you aud your prompt action IN many deserv
ing cases bid us hope for further generou
recognition in the future
1--WE are not a political organization and ar
not seeking political preferences In our hum
BILE efforts TO secure the integrity of the Uniol
the question never occurred to us whether tn
man who fought on our right or our left was
Democrat or Republican, and we don't ask
now.
1--WE embrace in our ranks the most promi
nent and the most humble of the nations do
; tenders, and II there are those without the oil
| der the door Is open, and the widows nm
orphans of their comrades will welcome thei
charitable assistance.
"our ranks contain representatives of a
political parties in the Union, with a settle
purpose to secure, by all honorable means, tn
| guarantees made to US at the time of our cT
listment, reiterated time and again In the Ser
ate and in the House, and finally embodied
the laws Of the United States, so that the fat
ofthe people is as distinctly pledged TO us as
, is TO the redemption of bonds and greenback
1--WE have shown our interest in the govern
ment by our acts, and we only ask that yor
executive power be so exercised that justice
done TO our honorable and deserving su
| yiyora."