Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-07-15
Union Soldiers 0stracized.
THEIR PLACES FILLED WITH Ex-coNfEpER-
ATEs BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
From the New York Tribune.

FROM the New York Tribune.
The law giving preference to Union So!
diers in appointments to civil offices has been
persistently violated by the present Admins.
tratiou. In defending its action MIR. Towr.
shend recently declared in the House that as
many Democratic soldiers had been appoint
ed as there had been Republican soldiers re-
moved, and he added that the aggregate Of
soldiers appointed under the present Admin
istration equalled the aggregate number re-
moved. As was pointed out at the time,
the trouble with this apparently fair propo-
sition is tina, "the Republican soldiers"
fought on the side of the Union, while "the
Democratic soldiers" to whom Mr. Town
shend referred were largely on the other side.
In no other way could his statement as to
the equality in the aggregate number remov-
ed and appointed be understood as being
even approximately true.
An illustration of this fact is found in the
annual address of the Department Comman-
der of the Grand Army of the Republic in
Virginia. He stated that there were only
seven Grand Army men a, that time in the
employ OF the Government in the Depart
ment of Virginia, North and South Carolina
OF thirty-nine comrades at work in the Nor
folk Nasy-yard, thirty -four were removed
and their places filled principally by Con
federate soldiers. 4 one armed Union SOL
der was removed without cause and an ex-
Confederate soldier given the place. An
engine tender Of sixteen wears experience,
who was Union soldier long confined in
Libby prison, was removed ands the place
given 10 man who deserted the Union
Navy TO JOIN the Confederate cause This
sort Of thing has been going on all through
the South Statements were made in the
House BY Mr.. Rowell. Of Illinois; NJ.
Grosvenor. Of Ohio. and others TO show that
Union soldiers were being busted in the
North in a similar manner TO make places
for Democratic workers uho did not 20 to
the war.
This, as the Grand Army officers complain.
is a direct violation of the spirit Of the law.
which provide. that preference shall be given
TO honorably discharged soldiers Com
plant is not made because ex-Confederates
are appointed to office That is expected.
Their preponderance in the ranks Of the
Democratic party on the floors Of Congress,
and the fact that the Administration owes
It's existence to their domination in the South
makes their appointment 10 Cabinet and d.
p.amAiic offices and other placrs. almost 10
the exclusion Of Union soldiers. a matter Of
course. But when Union soldiers are turned
out to make places for -Confesierates ard
for those who did not serve in the war, then
It must be conceded that the complaint rf
the Grand Army men is just and reasonable.
Il must also be PLAN that the law is violated
Although the Presidents attention has been
frequently called 10 this matter. he has Vet
taken no notice Of these complaints. When
a committee OF the Grand Army lied 81
Nh Morrison the other dav. the democrat
&c leader in the House declined 80 listen 70
what they had TO say, sni fairly insu,'ed
them The House has passed bill giving
A pension 10 every man who enlisted in the
Mexican var. whether or not be wa ever
within 1000 miles Of the front That bill
passed because il would furnish pensions to
thousands Of men Who served In the Confrd-
crate army. Blu; the House has refused 10
consider a bill! passed by the senate to ren-
sion INDECENT ext Mon soldiers and sailors.
Of whom there are about 10000 now reccl,-
ing support from charitable orgauizatton-.
That the MON soldier has fallen into Dis.
favor IS self-e,id.nt