New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-12
A HARSH SLAP AT VETERANS.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES STAND
HE DEDUCTS FROM THEIR VACATIONS THE
TINE SPENT AT GETTYSBURG.

GENERALS s1cKLEs AND KING PLEAD IN VAIN
THAT THE OLD SOLDIERS NAY HAVE FEW
DAYS WITH PAY FOR PATRIOTIC OBJ
sERyANcEs on THE BATTLEFIELD.
There have been many indications lately that
those who are managing the present adnlinlstra-
tion of the AFFAIRS Of the Government nave no
sympathy or regard for the men who boldly and
bravcly went 70 the front at the time when the
country was calling for volunteers to prevent
dissolution Of the Union These indications have
been Of no uncertain sort. They are as plain as
words and action can make them. The veteran
Of the war, under some conditions. seems 10 be
set aside and marked for bad treatment by
thos, in authority. One Of the most patent en-
hhitions Of this was rcccntly shown in the man.
nor in which the men who fought at the battle
Of Gettysburg. and who happened TO be en-
ployed in tho Ncw-York Custom House, were
treated by the Secretary Of the Treasury.
The State Of New-York has expended several
hundred thousand dollars in the erection of mon
umcnts 10 the various commands which played
their parts in that memorable battle. The State
LEGISLATURE. from time to time, has appropriated
funds So that now the position Of almost every
command which was engaged in the battle has
hecn marked with monument which will last Tor
ages Most Of these monuments were unveiled
and dedicated on. July a. lssS, but at that time
the State monument had not been built. Since
them however, this monument. the finest and
most artistic Of all those in the National Cemetery
at Gettysbure has been finished. 1t is a monu-
ment which was erected to those brave men from
the Empire State who took part in the battle.
The State Legislature last winter appropriated
q large sum Of money TO pay for the tran'porta-
tion Of the men who belonged 20 New-lork state
regiments or batteries and fought in that en-
gagoment to tho Gettysburg battlefield, that
they could he there on July last 10 attend the
dedication ceremonies.
General Daniel F.. Sicklcs was mainly response
bic for the passage Of the bill. He spent several
days in Albany in the last session OF
the Legislature, and appeared before the III
nance Committee of the Senate and the Ways
and Means Committee of the Assembly 10 speak
for the measure lie said that transportation
should be- provided for every Union soldier OF this
state who fought in the battle of Gettysburg 10
md from the Battlefield So that he could take part
in the ceremonies Of dedication Every one who
was interested in the matter was anxious that
there should be larse an attendance as pos
sillo None WAS morr anxious for this than
was General Sckl.n. who was the chairman of
tho Gcftyshurg Memorial Association, ms we'll as
tho chairman of the Board Of Commissioners ap- |
pontcd under the act of the Legislature 10 have
charge of tho erection of the State monument.
General Sicklc~ did all that he could to secure
a large attendance. and among DINER tNinss Il"
wrote 10 John g. Carlisle, the secretary oi Snc |
Treasury, and asked him TO allow the few en-
plovcs IN the Custom House who took part IN the |
battle 10 go 10 Gettysburg for a day or TWO |
,ithout deiucting the time from their annual |
vacations II is said thar General loratio I"
King. of Brooklyn, made similar requests. 'olicc-
tor Hendricks approved the request and forwarded
il 10 the Treasury Departm nt
No word came from Washington untll IN"
day before the veterans wer" To "aYc the cl'N
,or the battlefield Then message came over tn
wire which said that the veterans in IN" custom
House could have five days leaN" OF absence
n ,,,end the National Encampmcnt in Boston
and tbc dedication of the New-York state monu-
mont AZ Gcttysburg. the time 10 he deducted
from their annual vacations Ihis was Sonic
thing previously unhcard Of Every former
,,.cr.,ar, NJ the Treasury has allowed the vet
Grams the time necessary ior them TO attend
tbc., affairs without taking II ont of their Va
cations Tie veterans IN the Custom llouS" an
NOT believe at fir,t that the telegram had been
,rnt correctly, and they went 10 Collector
Hendricks and asked HIM about IT.
The Collector determined 70 b. certain apo"t
,lc order. 50 he tclcraphcl 10 the Treasury De-
oartmcnt aad had the message repeated. II
.,ne back in the original form. In spite ot
Inc fact that they would lose their tim" on
heir vacations. many of the veterans won't To
gettysburg. They left New-l ork City on Friday
.irli ,Iuuc 30. Saturday, July !. was = halt
,olilav and no business was transacted on 'dn.ilN
,inr,1v. July 8, was what was term Is AN
oil ,lay," and July was National hoiHll$i
who went To i,ttANlill@ Wu
ind that three days time has been deducted from
a. vacation. ~
In thc-e small ways do the men who mr."
nannaine the National affairs to-day exhibit
heir power.
THEnWN EEOM I EEGGY IND hILLED.