Milford chronicle., 1893-06-23
wAsnINaToN LETTER.

WASHINGTON june ~ ApSos
If there is any one class Of government
employees who ought to be absolutely secure
in the positions they hold, no matter how
often or how radical the change in the ad-
iniuisttation and heads of departments,
surely the Union veterans should be that
class. particularly the crippled oues. This
is not a matter into which politics should
enter at all Long ago Congress enacted
law stating in the most explicit language
that these men should be given preference
in all branches OF civil service, but am sor-
~ to say that this administration has vio-
lated that law right along whenever some
position, outside Of the classified service,
which was held by a veteran was wanted for
a Democrat. and not satisfied with that As
sistant Secretary Simms. took advantage OF
the lack of appropriations by the last Con-
press. which made the dismissal Of sixty
eight clerks from the General Land Office
necessary, to dismiss number of crippled
veterans among them. Il was needless
act Of cruelty, and it doubtless seemed all
the harder to the Union veteran who had
left a leg or an arm on some battle field TO
know that he has been discharged from the
service Of the United States, for which he
fought. by an ex-confederate, who at the
same time was fighting against it.
Two of these crippled veterans, with only
two legs between them, who were dismissed
called upon Assistant Secretary Sinms, WHO
himself lost a leg on the confederate side,
and who was once Governor Of Mississippi,
TO ask for reinstatement, aud if the CONVEX
satiou which was reported 10 me as having
taken place between them really did occur,
and believe il did, the veterans certainly
had insult added to the injury that had pre-
yiousiy been done to them. When they
pleaded for reinstatement because OF their
crippled condition preventing them earning
. Al r.. 10 Of Ia
ernment service, Mr.. Simms told them that
there were many ex-confederates who had
to earn their living without employment
! from the government and without being
helped by pensions from the United States.
| Yotir CORRESPONDENT does not believe i'll re-
viviug or keeping alive the prejudices Of
the war, but he does think that the treat
ment meeted out to these Uuion veterans IS
an everlasting disgrace TO this administra-
ton. The son o! a confederate officer said OF
the discharges Of Union veterans; The
men gave fonr OF the best years OF their
lives to the preservation Of this government,
and il had my way il should be high trea-
son to dismiss one OF them"
Il is rumored that Nj Cleveland has con-
cluded to call the extra session of Congress
earlier than September, but members OF the
cabinet deny that any change has been made
in the programme or is likely TO be made.
The pressure from New York city is partic-
ularly strong for an immediate extra session
but no one here expects it to meet before
September,
The verdict of the Corouer's jury which is
irving to locate the blame for the Fords
theatre disaster, is expected carly this week.
Although the officials at the State depart
meut still maintain a silly air of mystery
about the resignation Of Minister Paramount
Bount the man who achieved more motor
iety in one minute, by lowering the AmeTi-
can flag in Hawaii, than he had been able to
get in all his previous life there IS little
doubt that he has resigned and that his sue
cessOr has been selected He meyer would
have been made r,.Lister at all except TO at
tempt to iSgalze the illegal acts he per
formed while acting as my personal repre-
sentative" position unknown to the con
stitution or laws Of the Uuited States.
There are reasons for believing that his res
EQUATION was not voluntary, but was re-
ouested by the administration for several
reasons, chief of which is its anxiety TO
crawl ont Of the awkward position in which
Blounts acts, while acting under its care
fully prepared instructions, have placed It.
The Democratic Congressman haye
forced Postmaster General Bissell to get
down from the high horse upon which he
climbed in the early days Of the adminisIra-
ton, and it no longer requires charges
against the Republican fourth class post
masters TO get their places for Democrats
The edict has gone forth that all Republican
postniasters must go, and it is now only
question Of how soon Maxwell can make the
preparations for the decapitation act. It no
longer requires any other endorsement than
that Of the Democratic Congressman from tine
district to get a Democrat appointed fourth
class postmaster. This pleases the Demo
cratic Congressman immensely and Repuo-
licans raise 10 objection; It is only the mug
wumps who are unhappy because Of the
melting of the P. NJ. G's mugwump back
bone.