The Washington times., 1894-09-09
Their Grievances to Be Presented to
the 6. A. K. Encampment.
THEY FORMULATE RESOLUTIONS
Protest Against the Discharge of Union Sol
diers from Government EmplOy-Ths
AdministratioR's Pension Policy De-
nounced-Want Ainsworth Removed.

Grand Army Hall last night 10 formulate
resolutions to be taken for presentation to
the Grand Army encampment at Pittsburg,
protesting against the alleged course Of the
present administration in discharging clerks
in the departments who were honorablY dis
charged soldiers, contrary to the statutes.
II was asserted that about 1000 such clerks
had been discharged by this administration
without cause, regardless Of the protection
which should have been given them by the
civil service law.
Two sets of resolutions were introduced,
one by Hon. Thomas II. Mckee, secretrry Of
the national Republican committee, and the
| other by Mr. William NJ Potter. discharged
clerk of the Record and Pension Division Of
| the War Department.
| These resolutions gave rise TO considerable
discussion, and there was some antagonism
TO the adoption OF the Potter resolutions, be-
cause of their great length, which, 1t was held,
would diminish the chances Of their being
considered by the national encampment. Mr..
Potter grew excited over this opposition and
declared that 'if the national encampment Of
the Grand Army of the Republic did not find
time to consider his resolutions they would
stamp themselves as q lot OF id rascals
and blackguards."
When it came to vote it was decided to
place the Mckee resolution in the hands of
the department delegates for presentation to
the national encampment. The other faction
was not satisfied with this and after more ar
gument II was voted 10 appoint Mr.. h E
Burton, the chairman Of the meeting, as
special delegate 10 the national encampment
and he was instructed TO use his best efforts
TO secure the attention and action OF the en-
campment upon the Potter resolutions IN
order that the grievances therin set forth in
full might become known and action taken
toward remedying them.
Ex-UNIoN SOLDIERS RIGHTS DIsREdARDED.
Following is the full text of Mr. McKse's
resolution:
Resolved by the Grand Army Of the Re-
public, in national encampment assembled.
September 1894, That the ex-Union soldiers
of the United States accept the challenge
offered by the present administration Of the
national government in disregsrding the
rights of x-Union soldiers under a national
statute by almost wholesale discharges Of
those employed IN the public service Of the
United States.
THAT the ballot is our refuge against the
force of an unfriendly administration.
That Col. F. c. Ainsworth, chief of the
Record and Pension Division OF the War De-
partment. has shown himself 70 be the COM
mon enemy OF the ex-soldiers of the Union
THAT all ex-soldiers are asked TO commit
their representatives in Congress 10 the re-
moval of said Ainsworth from the position he
| now holds in the cause of justice and human
ity.''
The Potter resolutions, after a preamble
stating the fact that at least so per cent. OF
| the discharges made by the present admins
tration were of honorably discharged soldiers
of the late war. goes into detailed state
ment Of the methods Of Col. F. c. Ainsworth,
! of the Record and Pension Division Of the
\ War Department, in which Mr.. Potter served
for period of ten years until discharged by
| this administration.
The document concludes with the follow
| ing resolution:
Resolved That we, the representatives OF
| the Grand Army of the Republic assembled in
| the Twenty-eighth annual encampment, re-
/ affirm our loyalty to our country and its
| flag, and denounce any attempt 10 merge the
i the Republic into any political party as
/ iraught with sinister motives calculated TO
! detract from its usefulness now and foreb0d-
/ ing Its destruction in the near future.
NO PENSIONS FOR UNWORTHY SOLDIERS.
Resolved, That We are opposed to pension
being granted to unworthy soldiers and the
full power of our organization will be used in
purging the rolls of pensioners whose names
sion; and we declare that we have no desire
to ask that unworthy or incompetent soldiers
I be retained in office TO the detriment OF the
| public seryice but that where the usefulness
| of veteran IN certain capacity has been i'm
paired by reason of age or physical disability
he should be transferred to other duties less
responsible or laborious, though the wages be
| less.
1--WE chara ctsrize the suspension reduction
| or dropping OF pensions granted under the
laws regulating the same as cruel vicious
unpatriotic and unworthy nation which is
the beneficiary of the services of the soldiers
(to whom granted) in time of war, unless il
shall have been first determined by compe-
tent authority that the pensioner has no legal
right thereto.
Resolved, That we ask the Congress of the
United States to enact q law that will protect
the soldiers, sailors, and marines, theil
widows and orphans, who are now, or who
may hereafter be, employed by the Uniied
States, against unjust reduction in grade and
salary, as well as dismissal from the public
service without a fair and full investigation
CHARGES AGAINST COL. AISswORTH.
"That we demand that a committee be ap
pointed by Congress to investigate the charges
made against Col. F. C. Ainsworth, officer il
charge of the Record and Pension Offlce fth,
War Department, and if true as charged il
the ABOVE statement he be relieved from
duty as officer in charge OF said bureau
charges and specifications preferred agains
him, and such action taken as the case maj
demand"
Then follows a denunciation in regard to
the wholesale dismissal of honorably dis
charged Union soldiers, the resolution con
Guiding as follows:
That we depreciate the fact that afte
twenty-nine years of peace, accompanied by
phenomenal national prosperity, a natioI
, should permit the soldiers who savet
i it from destruction to be thus distressed anC
disgraced, and we appeal to generous an'
patriotic people for Justice"
The preferred charges were signed by tn
following:
William NJ. Potter. late captain, Compan,
A. Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
A. NJ Husband, late sergeant, Company
Ninety-ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania UnioI
Veterans.
r ]. P Burke, late lieutenant, Company E
First Maryland Infantry Volunteers"
collection was made to defray expense
: of sending Delegate Burton to Pittsburg wit
> the resolutions. and "a were contributed TO
: this purpose, after which the meeting sd
iourned.