The Washington times., 1894-07-26
SCARS DID NOT SAVE THEM
Many Old Soldiers Discharged from
the War Department.
HUNDRED AND FIFTY DISMISSED
Record and Pension Division Decimatsd-
Some Of the Clerks Had Spent Life Time
in the service-Chisf Clerk Frech Declines
to Give Any Information.

One hundred and fifty clerks and other
employees Of the record and pension Office Of
| the War Department received a message each
from Chief Clerk John Tweedale on Monday,
which notified them that by direction OF SEQ.
| retary Lamont they were seyerally dis
charged, to take effect July "a, 1884," two
days thereafter. OF the total number ITO
were employed In the Union building and the
remainder in the War Department proper.
or those discharged from the Union build
ing the majority were employed in Ford's
Theater at the time Of the collapse Of that
building. Two sections there were almost
wiped out, but nine being retained Of thirty.
seven in one. and but three in another con-
tanning twenty-six. About sixty of the dis
charged employees are said to have been
colored.
1t was impossible to obtain complete list
OF the unfortunates. The department off,
cials would not furnish 1t, and others who
were interested could not.
SOME OF THOSE SENT ADRIFr.
1t was learned, however, that the following
persons were among those who received the
chief clerks missive, viz: Jacob Gotthilf,
Samuel McGonigle, James l. Barrick, DR..
White, DR.. Arthur NJ. Muzzy, Patrick
O'Hagen, DR.. Porter, and Messrs. Travis,
Bradin, Thomas, Carroll, and Pyles.
Gotthilf had been In the department
twenty-nine years, and served during the war
in the 146th New York Infantry. McGonigle
was also an old clerk and participated in the
War OF the Rebellion as a regular. Dr. White
had been long in the department, and was a
commissioned officer in the Union Army dur
ing the war. DIR. Porter is partially blind.
He had served as chief OF one Of the rooms
prior to contracting the disease which i'm
paired his sight. Mr.. Thomas is the son of
former adjutant general Of the army.
Many OF those discharged were old soldiers,
some of them being prominent in G. A. r.
circles. Their long service in the deIart-
ment has to degree unified them for other
pursuits, and their dismissal will doubtless
prove great hardship TO majority of them.
Asked last night what he expected TO do for
a livelihood. MIR. Gotthilf said he did not
know. but would have to find employment
somehow. He said he could not afford to be
idle. Others were more or less discouraged
al the prospect before them. They said there
would be trouble in getting work, now that
business is so dull and the army Of the unem-
ployed SO large.
DUMB AS AN OYSTER.
In an effort to obtain the particulars Of this
wholesale discharge. and the causes therefor,
TIMES reporter called upon Capt. Jacob
Frech, chief clerk of the record and pension
office. at his residence, last night, and asked
him for a list Of the discharged employees in
his division
II cannot furnish it," replied the captain.
II am sorry you had your trip for nothing,
but cannot give you any such information"
Being asked for his reason in declining, he
replied:
1T is against the rules Of the department.
The place for you to go for such news is ths
War Department, but doubt if you would
get it there"
1T is too late TO get the information from
the department. said the reporter. land the
only thing to do was to call on you and Mr..
Brown, the two chiefs Of division in your bu-
reau"
well, l cannot tell you anything about it,
nor will Mr.. Brown. am sure
Were there any dismissals from your
division to-day
81 cannot tell you."
DO your rules forbid your stating the
number discharged?
Yes: ! can tell you nothing"
'Will you tell me if any old soldiers were
dismissed?"
mo; cannot do so. Please understand
that the department does not permit me TO
give out any information concerning the
official business