Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-10-11
rnE rsrARANs AND oLEVnLANl

Union soldiers Asoid OsFIce Than
AVER EseROre.
TIE following was published In the New
Yosh Times Of September 18Th, and was
dated Lcckpert.
NV YonK Sept 10 Aside from the
course of the President upon the pension
question, the most exaggerated misrepre.
sentation Is being dsalt out by Republican
speakers and journals relative 10 his
treatment Of veteran soldiers in thematter
Of apointments to offica. The truth is 20
widely rem, vsd from these partisan
statements, most Of which are put forth
with recklesspesa that condemns them,
that even the political friends of Presi
dsnt Cleveland would be surprised could
all the facts be published. They would
phow beyond controversy that more has
been done in three years Of tho present
administration toward obtaining official
employment for the veteran than was
done under any eight years Of Republican
rule. And it has been done quietly,
steadily, and without advertisement or
proclamation, leaving the people in their
own good time to find ont about IL and
to render honor where 1t was due for such
action.
On Meroh 3i, 1865 tho Republicans
enacted the following which has since be-
come section l,754 OF the United States
revised stGtntes.
Persons honorably discharged from the
military or naval service by r. ason OF disa-
biity resulting from wounds or sickness
incurred In the lire OF duty shall BIZ pre-
ferred for appointments to civil eiflces,
provided they are found 10 possess the
business capacity necessary for Tho proper
discharge OF tine duties OF such Office.
The language of this act is sufficient.
Its intention was good, but it ia one Of
that Gloss of laws which requires constant
vigilance on the pRrt OF those interested
TO obtain its enforcement. Under Re
publican administration IL had become
almost obsolete, practically dead letter,
Soldiers we appointed TO sfiice, it is
true, but nos because they were soldiers
Even where their politics coincided with
those OF the appointing power. some bet.
ter Recommendation than tha. the appli.
cant was crippled or q disabled Union
veteran was required.
During tie political campaign Of 1884
q committee OF the Veterans Rights
Union waited on Governor Cleveland and
Intercepted him as TO whether, if elected
President, no would carry OUT that and
similar statutes relating to the veterans.
BE answered that, in case OF hin election.
it would become his duty under the con-
stituEion and his oath to eatry ont all
Laws, and be promised that this particu-
ulas one should rceiYe proper attention,
About May, 1885, similar committee
| In conjunction with one from the soclety
OF tls Army of the Potomac visited the
new President and were assured by him
| tibet II their requests on behalf Of tao
| Veterans were reasonable she would un
| dertake to do his share in their behalf y
During tho summer Of the game year
the National Encampment OF the Grand
Army of the Republic at Portland, Me-,
cent committee TO him, to whom he
| gave the emphatic assurance that he YVES
DESTROYS 10 do justice by the soldiers OF
the war, "not alone because OF the law,
but also for the reason that il was con-
sonance with his own teslings on the sub
jsot.n
These uttsranceg have furnished Tie
4 keSnu4s. = Mr. Clevslann'I action toward
the veterans, He has never deviltsd
from them; the subject hiss been fire.
quently discussed at Cabinet meetings;
heads of departments and chiefs of bu.
reaus haYa taken their tone from the well
known vi hes 81 the President on the
E7 sns .ulse wishe hgsr pest
na uJNn IL ritiEs By hila Epi
- So. -. 4Le4 Il la--ltlat never uude,
any previous Administration were SC
many veteran Union soldiers in the Fed
eral service ss now, il Peat Olloes, Qua
tom Houses, survey orb ofices, ia every
place as to which thu Executive han 4
right to make known his desires, empha
sizes the steadiaess snd the sincerity Of
this policy.
Writing upon this sa'iaot. osaph W.
KY, Publisher OF the GdHd Army Re
Uieto and h ad Of the Veterans Rights
UG:on, most competent witness, hold.
the following stroug language.
have listened to promises for 90 years
silce BIO war ended but uuill within tbs
last FOUR nava absolutely failed IL ace any
sollier or sailor bacltlse he " Is such etYe1
or tstairet u = pnsti \ under the govern
mem. Th4 President EH4 done mneh per.
scnaa5 thn | supw Of which nmgbd:
b!m; not promises, bat acts. ghey were
not IN" pie fpe OF pgttlsan, but tine act:
q g l'res!aett q our wto!e people--h i;
recognition Of The r,gh's at Eeferans
Bn0R 3 'hOlsaEd Instances NhPre his per
soaal wishes h4Ya peaa communicated or
th3S soldier ores lon tic the members at n,s
G4Gllet, 10 pls'mGstsrs, collectors ard sut.
Sayor II gE5s61lI, aul other in higa aad
t4R PLACES. lttsoTh nc S have nupuAs I'D
his e&Dr-rs WISHES, and ] BILL va III nim
md g hete1l s ahgi! sustain Lin.
ID VA hiuaton atone there ago Of hi,
! moment y HDg Union yetfrAng Y5lrilav ef