The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-24
ROSES INTERESTING CLAIM.
He Presented 1t in 1866. and 1t Hasn't
Been Settled Yet.
From the Neso York Star

Been Settled 1et-
From the Net1 York Star.
There is a little Englishman named John
G. Rose who is at once the most persistent
and original claimant against the govern
ment ever known in this Mecca of claim
ants and claim agents, and his experience
since 1866 forms a very interesting chapter
Rose is small in stature and about 30 years
of age. He has the energy OF an electric
current and the pushing capacity of loco
motive.
Roses career as claimant commenced
about twenty three years ago, Just after he
had emerged from the war navy. Origi-
nally he was a masters mate, and as such
served in the South Atlantic blockading
squadron on the Carolina coasts. During
the memorable. Lincoln-McClellaud preSi-
Dental campaign in 1864 Rose, who had
enlisted in the navy from Newark, n. j., as
a JERSEY volunteer, was requested by his
commanding officer TO go back TO his state
and electioDeer in the interest of
Lincoln, as there were grave fears that
New Jersey would give democratic ma
jority for Little Mac, as it did. Rose was
finally persuaded to go, he claims, and was
given a discharge by the commanding
officer of his ship, who said that the Jersey
man could re-enlist after the political cam
paign and be restored to his original rank of
masters mate. Upon reaching New York
Rose called upon certain commodore with
whom he was acquainted, and Informed him
of his intended campaigning tour. The
commodore asked to see Roses discharge,
and after scanning it, said:
"Why, this discharge is not worth the
paper it is written on. You were appointed
in the navy as a warrant officer by the Sec
rotary of the Navy and your discharge
must come from the same official. This
discharge. signed by the captain OF your
ship, Is valueless, and you could be arrested
any moment rs deserter, and you know
that is a serious charge in time of war;"
The little English jack tar vas now thor
oughly alarmed, aud begged the commo-
dore to tell him what he had better do in
the matter.
Return to your ship at once and report
for duty"
But" pleaded Rose, "my ship is away
down on the Carolina coast, and there will
be no means of reaching her for over a
month"
Then" said the commodore, Ego to the
nearest recruiting agency and enlist as a
seaman aud take chances on being restored
to your original rank"
This Rose did, and was soon afterward
sent to a gunboat operating away down in
the southwest. He brought his case to the
attention of the captain Of the vessel, but
could receive no redress. He was therefore
compelled to serve during tho remainder Of
the war as an ordinary sailor.
In the meantime congress passed an act
which provided that curtain petty officers,
including masters mates, who had served
during the war, could be prom tied through
| the several grades to commissio ed officers.
Now, this is where Rose, the claimant, com
mences his career. He claimed that mis- dis
charge while masters mate having beeu
illegal, he still held that rank, was EN-
titled to promotion, according to the con-
| gressiOnal act. He figured it out that, had
| he not accepted the bogus discharge to go tC
| New Jersey, he would then-n 1s6G-be eli
titled to the rank of lieutenant commander
After consultation with judge Advocate
| General Remy, who had long since become
| familiar VITA Roses case, the secretary in
formed the latter that he would have t
carry his case before congress, as the de
| partment was powerless TO act in the mat
! ter owing to the absence of any clear
record in the proper Office.
Rose followed Mr.. Whitney's advice, and
being still citizen of New Jersey, placed
his claim for 1913, 900 back pay and tut
| restoration to rank in tue hands of Senator
| Mcpherson and Congressman McAdoo from
| that state, who introduced the necessary
bills in both houses. The CLAIM
since then has been buffe,ed abou
from House to Senate, and from com
mittee to committee. 1t is now in charg
of Congressman Lehlbacl of Newark
Roses old home-and the original amount
claimed has been largely reduced. 1t looks
however, as if the claim will get musty anC
be still pending at the time of Roses de
mise, but he pluckily holds on and says /
he dies before justice is done him he will
leave the fight as a legacy TO his children t.
be continued for time immemorial.
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