The National tribune., 1889-08-29

qualified, and by their services during the late
war peculiarly fitted to sympathize with and
understand the condition and necessities of the
invalid veterans requiring professional serv-
ices. There are many of these veterans physi-
clans who are fully as capable as is Dr. Patton.
the Surgeon of the Dayton Home, in saying
which no reflection is cast upon DIR. Patton,
himself a veteran; but from Dr. Patton down
among his assistants not a veteran is to be
found.
This condition Of affairs does not confine
itself to Dayton Home alone but in greater or
less degree applies to every National Military
Home, in some OF which, from Surgeon in
charge down. there is not Surgeon who was
in the late war. This, certainly, is a condition
of affairs that invites the careful consideration
of the veterans at large not alone on general
but on specific principles. What are these
National Homes for if not for the old veter-
ansp How came the present Managers of these
Homes to DO selected for these positions in
stead of other gentlemen who were not veter-
ans, but just as capable? They were chosen,
above all other reasons, because they were vet
Grams on the part of the Union in the late
rebellion. The Government is demanding,
and the heads of Departments are seeing to it,
that the veterans are occupying public posi-
tions, especially those wherein the interests of
their comrades are most involved. as in the
Pension Department, etc. It was upon the
issue-justice to the veteran-more than upon
any other individual issue in the last Presi-
dental campaign that the present Administra-
ton came into power.
These being unquestionable facts, why should
not the same law apply with direct force to the
National Soldiers Homes where, Of all places
the veteran should receive the most positive
prefereBces2
Let comrades all over the land give this their
attention, and if the wrong is not righted by
Managers of said Homes voluntarily, call the
attention Of their Congressman to the facts and
see to IL through them that these wrongs are
righted. Let THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, the
most powerful friend and advocate the veteran
has, give this matter the attention it merits
Let the Delegates of the National Encamp-
ment of the GAR. soon to assemble in Mil
waukee see to it, using its influence in this
matter to the degree it deserves.
On. page 1913. 22d annual Encampment De-
partment of Ohio, GAR, may be found the
following:
Whereas II has been enacted by Congress that
the veteran of the late shall be preferred in
civil service TO the citizen applicant for position
thereby recognizing the merit of bis services in
tho rebellion 70 the Government; aud
Whereas. in further recognition of their services,
The Government, National and State have provided
Homes for those who are homeless and afflicted
among the old defenders Of the Union; nRd
Whereas IL is a fact that many positions of worth
and emolument within the gift Of the Board Of
Infringement OF the aforesaid Soldiers and Sailors
Homes are given to- citizens who never served in
the army navy, instead Of being given to vet
Grams or their children; Therefore be IL
Resolved. 5D the Department Eneampmenf Of Ohio
In EHcdmpHlsnf assembled, That it is contrary
to those fundamental principles - Fraternity,
Charity and LoyHlty-that unite in bonds OF love
and fellowship cemented by trials past to employ
citizen help In those institutions where veterans
may be found TO supply the place, and that said
Boards OF Management be requested to carry out
the spirit and the letter of the law and the prnci-
pies OF fraternity, that means something"
Rssolped. That this Encampmeut request the Ma
tiona Eucampment NJ It's next session at Columbus
o. to give this matter its special attention far as
IL IL in its power. that the Homes for veterans are
cared for by veterans, there being no other place
where the spirit of the law and promise Of Fra
ternity can be made manifest better than at these
Homes
Resolved, That a copy OF these resolutions be pre-
scented To the National Encnm pment for action, and
TO each Department, with request to instruct their
delegates to aid In the enactment and carrying
into effect such measures will fully embody
these principles.
The above preamble and resolutions were In
dorsed by the GAR. in National Encampment
at Columbus last Fall. Shall these matters rest
dead letter in the transactions of the orgauiza-
ton? 1t is true beyond question that if the
Government wants young soldiers when it
needs them, 1t must treat old soldiers well"-
FRIENDSHIP, CHARITY, LOYALTY, Cincinnati,
o.