Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-10
Ex- MON SOLDIERS.
Adopt Resolutions in Regard to Recent Dis
charges From Government Offices.
These VIII He Presented to the G. A.
eral Bitter Speeches Made.

There was a small but lively meeting Of
veterans Of the late war at Grand Army
Hall on Saturday evening, called for the
purpose of taking action upon the mat
ter of the recent discharges of ex-s3ldiers
from the record and pension divisiAn Of
the War Department in order that the aVo-
ject might be laid before the annual en-
campment of the G. A. R. at Pittsbur2.
There were originally about fifty men,
bers Of the organization present, but a
dispute arose as to which of several sets
Of res buttons should be adopted, and the
attendance greatly diminished, so that
when the matter came to a vote there
were but fourteen ballots cast. These were
In favor, II to 3, of the resolutions framed
by Thomas H. Mckee, secretary Of the ma
tional republican committee, which read
thus:
Resolved, by the Grand Army Of the Re-
public, In national encampment assembled.
That the ex-Union soldiers of the United
States accept the challenge offered by the
present administration tf the national gov
eminent in disregarding the rights Of ex-
Union soldiers under the national statute.
employed In the public service of the United
States;
THAT the ballot is our refuge by force
OF an unfriendly administration. -s.
mat wi. T - hHnSWOTtU, CuleI Oh tue
record and pc 1sion division Of the War
Department. has shown himself to be- the
common enemy of the ex-Union soldiers
both by official and private power.
THAT all ex soldiers are asked to commit
their representatives in Congress to the re-
moval Of said Ainsworth from the position
he now holds in the cause Of justice and
humanity"
MIR. POttcr's Resolutions.
The main dispute was caused by the
mover and friends of resolutions prepared
by committee appointed at a previous
meeting. when Mr.. VIM. NJ Potter, a dis
charged clerk of the record and pension
division. introduced the subject and was
made chairman OF the committee to draft
the form of expression. The result of the
labors OF this committee was very long
expose OF the conduct Of the office. headed
by Col. Ainsworth. a recital of many in
teresting facts. and rehearsal Of some
serious charges. about 100000 claims for
pensions having been rejected by means of
false reports made from the division. These
reports. the resolutions allege. have been
made by clerks under compulsiOn. through
fear OF dismissal
The resolutions ask that the Grand Army
demand from Congress an Investigation Of
the charges made against the division and
Col. Ainsworth, and specify that he should
be removed from office IL found guilty Of
the allegations.
Ex-COnfederates In OH,ce.
sensation was caused when Mr.. H. E.
Burton, the chairman Of the meeting, read
the following extract from a recent election
speech made by Senator Berry to his con-
in Arkansas: THE attempt to
make it appear that have ignored ex-con-
federate soldiers In Recommendations for
office is grossly unjust. Three-fourths of
those holding federal offices from Arkansas
land they were not recommended by me
alone. but by Senator Jones also, and many
Of them by the entire delegation) are con-
federate soldiers, and many Of the remain
ing fourth are sons of ex-confederate SOL
diers. This attempt to injure me in the es,
TEEN Of those whose confidence 1 prize
more highly than I 90 any office is utterly
Mr.. Potter followed this reading by the
statement that in his resolutions he had
estimated that 80 per cent Of the discharges
and reductions in the government offices
were Of ex-Union soldiers, removed to give
places for confederates. In view of the
speech Of Senator Berry he would have to
revise lis figures.
collection was taken up for the purpose
OF sending a repre- sentative of the meet
Ing to the encampment as a bearer of the
resolutions. and Chairman Burton was
elected G. delegate to the encampment for
that purpose. Several bitter speeches were
made, all denunciatory of Col. Ainsworth
and his policy IN the War Department An
effort was made to keep party feeling out
Of the controversy, but 1t was not alto
gether successful.