The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-13
MISS KEYS DISMISSAL
GREAT INDIGNATION OVER COM
MISSIONER LOCHREN's ACTION.
He Does Not See How She Can he Re.
stored to Place, but Many People
Are Working in Her Behalf.
specia, to the Indianapolis Journal.

w June l-.-O0 frlQdy next
every city in the country will celebrate
in some way the patriotic anniversary,
Flag day." while the name of Francis
Scott Key will be dwelt on by Americans
in all sections of this country who ven
crate the name of the who gave
the Nation it's ringing hymn. The Star
spanngled Banner" To him the country
owes much of the tender sentiment that
envelopes the striped flag and that stir
ring national anthem. born amid the flame
and smoke of battle, is to-day the only
hymn this country possesses with any merit
OF nationality.
A sad contrast, possible of duplication
nowhere in the country outside of Wash
ington. was discovered by correspondent
of the Journal a few days ago, when in
vestigation at the Pension Office devel-
oped the fact that among the one hundred
clerks dismissed on last Saturday was a
granddaughter of Francis Scott Key, and
while the sound of reverberating cannon
and the shouts of patriots greet the beau
tiful folds of the greatest flag on earth
next Friday morning, the granddaughter
of the who wove the Nations song
about that flag will sit in her lonely home,
in this city. destitute and heartsick at
istration that has but little sympathy with
any service to the country that has no.
come through the regular channels OF the
Democratic campaign committee,
"A correspondent of the Journal called on
Commissioner of Pensions Lochren this
morning and asked If IL were true that
among those dismissed had been included
the granddaughter of Francis Scott Key:
THE statement is correct" said he. Il did
not know at the time that such was the
case. and had l known l am free TO con-
fess that the mere fact OF her relationship
to the composer of the country's national
hymn would have had much to do with
my decision and il is not likely that her
name>would have been on the list. AS it is,
however, i cannot see just why her name
should be restored to the pay rolls of the
department. The fact that she is a grand
daughter of MIR. Key does not make her
a more efficient clerk and | do not see
my way clear to restoring her TO the rolls.
l should be glad 10 do could that resto-
ration be made for other reasons: l held
that list down as much as possible and
the fact that the discharges had to be
made caused me many sleepless nights and
more pain than you would believe, but
while | managed to reduce the list OF
dismissals from ie9 TO 100 it not pos
sible to make further reductions in the
size of the list and many clerks of merit
fer reduction in the force of 169 clerks,
but by transfers and by neglecting to fill
vacancies as they occurred in this depart
ment l secured places for sixty-nine OF
the doomed ones, leaving only an even one
hundred TO be sacrificed This was the
best | could do. If the lady under discus
sion is among the number as l now know
she is, 1t is a matter that / regret, but
cannot now remedy"
The Dismissal of Miss Key has caused
something of sensation in Washington
among the Daughters of the Revolution
and kindred organizations. Secretary of the
Interior Smith has received number of
communications from members of these So
cieties prominent in social and political
life, and determined effort is being made
to have the name Of the lady removed from
the service once more restored to the rolls.
Miss Key is not only lineal descendant
of Francis Scott Key. but is also con-
lies of Maryland being a niece of Mrs.
Charles Howard, of Baltimore and a cousin
of Mrs. J. Mills Brown, widow of the late
Surgeon-Reneral Brown OF the army. Mrs.
Brown, who resides in this city. is the only
other granddaughter of Francis Scott Key
now living. ssaw s4s.
Secretary Smith could not be seen to-
day. as he was absent from the Interior
Department on business, but there is now
a well-founded hope that he will take such
in the restoration of Miss Key to the rolls
OF the department. There is nothing against
the efficiency record of Miss Key. as she
Office clerks, the only reason assigned for
her dismissal being her age. Miss Key is
now well advanced in age but has; never,
for efficiency. During a part of last year
she was absent from the department longer
tnan ner ledVe allowed, OWING 10 an at
tack of rheumatism. but this has been cured
now and this infirmity should not be al
lowed to stand in the way of her continuing
TO make living for herself and those de-
pendent upon her fFuter
The most pitiable part of the story is that
the loss of her position will render Miss
Key absolutely destitute. Not only has she
herself to support but she has depending
upon her a widowed mother and an invalid
brother. This action of Commissioner Loeb
rem leaves them without the means to sup
port themselves and as neither her mother
nor her brother are able to do anything
toward earning a living her position is pitt
ably helpless. The matter of politics does
not enter into the consideration Of Miss
Keys case at all. yet 1t is interesting to
note that Miss Key was appointed by Dem
ocratic influence, Senator Pendleton, of
Ohio, having secured her position for her.
She was safe Under every Republican ad-
minstration, however, and ii remained for
Democratic Commissioner of Pensions to
take from her the means of earning live
lihooG
There is every hope now that owing to
the concerted efforts of the various patri-
otto societies of this city Miss Key will be
restored to her position and it Is now
hoped that her reinstatement can be secured
before next Friday, when Flag day. will
be celebrate ed