New-York tribune., 1895-11-05
DISGRACING HIS OFFICE.
ASTOUNDING ACTION OF COMMANDER
ATKINSON. OF THE C. A. r.

r,srSc; HIS OFFICIAL PLACE AND STATIONERY TO
ADVOCATE THE ELECTION OF rAMMANY CAM
DrpArEs-HEARTs OF VETERANS ON
FIRE WITH UNCOMFORTABLE
OF IMPEACHMENT.
II would be impossible to exaggerate the In
digration expressed when 1t became known In
Grand Army circles yesterday that Edward j.
Atkinson, Department Commander Of the q. a
r. In this State, had issued a circular In his
official capacity as head Of the order urging
comrades to vote for Martin T. Mcmahon, the
Tammany Hall candidate for Judge Of General
Sessions. His action was denounced as wholly
inexcusable shameful and scandalous. II was
directly in violation of the spirit and letter of
the constitution of the order. which absolutely
prohibits all attempts the part of its men,
bers to drag political matters INTO connection
with the affairs Of the Grand Army.
1t was learned yesterday that in addition TO
the appeal for McMahon. which was sent out
on the official letter-paper Of the department.
Mr.. Atkinson has issued a similar Endorsement
for Henry D. Purroy. the Tammany County
Clerk. who is candidate for reelection
For neither OF these bad breaks" could Mr..
Atklnsons friends suggest any justification or
palliation. Atkinson himself is employe OF
Purroys. and has held the place Of chief of the
searchers' department in the County Clerks
Office for many years at a salary Of $500 year
He is also the secretary OF the Sycamore Club.
| the Tammany social organization OF Harlem
! II have been Ed Atknscns friend for quar-
/ ter OF a century" said grizzled veteran or
| the Grand Army yesterday. who won the STARS
| OF brigadier- general by superior efficiency
and hard fighting at the front. but this ends
his advancement in this or any other veteran
organization"
mo apology that f. ]. Atkinson can ever
! make will satisfy the true and tried coinrades
who have stood by him like bulwark In tnis
town and defended him against charges OF ram
many ISM" said a post commander YESTERDAY
Everybody knows what hsnt we had at 'he
! last Department Encampment held IN May 10
! elect him department commander ne hau oee"
! q candidate three or four times, but was ue-
! feated every time he came up because some Oh
| the boys feared that he might be guilty or just
! such a scurvy trick he has now played on us
! Last May we took of our coats and lapored
With our up-the-State comrades and we pulled
! Atkinson through. He reiterated his promises
| Of non-partisanshp In Grand Army matters ana
talked until he was hoarse piedgihg hl,nsen s,s
! 10 know no party In his administration Oh ms
| Office It's the worst throw down l ever got
boys for l believed thoroughly in Atkinson on.
/ sincerity and his soldiers sense OF hehor' bul
he has wound himself up this time ana dam
aged McMahon's chances beyond repair nave
seen twenty Grand Army men In the iast hour
! who intended to vote for McManon' put 'iey
!
/ Other veterans were particularly sore that
! Commander Atkinson should have gone out OF
his way to aid Mcmahon, who has always DIX
! terlv opposed the pension system Of the Govern
| ment Still others denounced him for using ms
| Official postion as commander OF the Grand
| Army in the State OF New-York-a state that
| sent half a million soldiers 10 the warn
! the interest Of a man like Purroy. whose SYM
nat thles were against the Union cause.
The circular on the official paper which De
nartnent Commander Atkinson sent out FOR
| Mcmahon is follows:
New-York Oct. 90 1895
| Dear Sir and Comrade , ,,.,. r
| AS YOU are no doubt aware, General Martin I;
! NnWahon is candidate for Judge Of the Court or
| General Sessions He Is the only comrade VINO
! Is a candidate for that office. This fact and MS
excellent record. both soldier and In other po-
/ SUFFICIENT nducement 10 comrades TO give MIN ear
nest and .oyal support wherever Il can be done con-
! s.stent with their views OF political duty. General
/ NrNahon was for several years chairman or our
Memorial Committee and frequently deiegale 10
Dapartmen; and National encampments ana mas
always shown intelligent zeal In promoting me IN,
terests OF the @. A. r. As one OF the managers Oh
the National Soldiers Homes for fifteen years he has
established additional Claims on the support and
| connderce OF his comrades. The placing OF cross
! * before the name OF Comrade McManon will in
dicate your vote, providing you vote party tlcKet
other than that which his name appears Yours
trulv in F. c. and L.. F. J. ATKINSON.
veteran in referring TO the above yesterday
quoted General Grants famous saying 1t takes
a Democrat to make blunder at the right time.
AtknsOn's impeachment was the SUBJECT o.,
private conferences among Grand Army men yes
terday They believed that his violation OF the
/ constitution Of the q. A. =. made him liable 10