New-York tribune., 1895-12-22
ANOTHER FLAG INCIDENT.
THIS ONE CONES FROM THE STATE OF
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

THE WAR DEPARTMENT REFUSES THE REQUEST
OF THE STATES ApJrTANTGENERAL FOR
THE RETURN OF A CAPTURED BATTLE
FIAG-THE CONTROVERSY WITH
GOVERNOR FORAKER RECALLED.
[BY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUHE1
Washington. Dec T.-Another flag incident" has
occurred which recalls the affair OF scvera, years
ago In which Governor Foraker OF Ohio and other
gentlemen fired hot shot at President Ccve-
land on account OF the order given by him directing
the War Department to return "all the flags Union
and Confederate) TO the authorities OF the respective
States in which the regiments which bore these
flags were organized for such final disposition as
the States might determine 1t Will be recolected
that Mrs Cleveland afterward resented Governor
Foraker's criticisms OF her husbands action by
fusing to shake hands with the Ohio Governor when
'the lady OF the White House the Governor
on the occasion OF a seml-ofiiclal semlsocial func-
tion.
In the present instance. however there will prob
ably be no serious quarre. although IL may lead to
an airing Of the circumstances OF the old Nag incl
dent and probably also to some action by Congress
on the subject OF the disposition of the hundreds OF
captured battle-fags which are now in the posses
sion OF the War Dcpertment-some action 10 settle
whsther OF not the Department shall keep the flags
and what kind OF display shall be made OF them. OF
whether they shall be returned TO the authorities Of
me respective States in which the regiments which
bore these colors organized for sucn Gisposi-
tlon as they may determine
The occasion OF the present agitation OF the sub
}ect } OF returning captured batielgs Is me rejec,
the State OF New Hampshire for the return 10 the
granite state Of the colors Of regiment Of that
Petersburg. Va. in 1864 and which, having been re-
covered after the war are now in the custody Of the
War Department and the New Hampshire Adj,itant-
General develops The facts and circumstances which
IN Congress by Joint resolution introduced in the
Senate by Mr.: Chandler intended to authorize the
Th. 4F4 N4uT.
Hainpshire the flag for which application made
fact that PRESIDENT ctvean on une Is M recon- ro o
sdered and revoked his order for the return OF capt
loyal states Of the Gnion Of the fass captured in
the War of the Rebellion IS not authorized by exist
should originate with Congress"
the w-Hampshre authorities. adds that since
me: foregoing date applicants for the return of
Invariably Informed enat the subject had been
@ y of wn BY h1 he was ana not ha at hS eTy to
surrender any Of these flags. but must await egis-
rule not TO return any of these flags except upon
dent; Of lss7. grew ou; Of etter from the Adjutani
General OF the United States Army addressed to
the Secretary Of War. in which he submitted that
quests Of this nature and suGgested the propretv
OF returning all the flags Union and Confederate
10 the authorities Of the respective States in which
for such final disposition they may determine
This proposition submitted 10 President Clevc-
land. and approved by him. Orders were
thereupon issued that letters be sent to the Gov
ernOrs OF States whose troops carried the flags de-
posted in tho War Department, proposing 10 return
the same. and such letters were sent to the Gov
ernOrs OF States referred 10 in the order
Publication OF the facts Just mentioned aroused
perfect storm OF Indignation against the return Of
the captured battle-fags proposed. The result
that before any of the flags sent de-
nyered under the order. the President. further
consideration. determined that the return OF the
flags In the manner contemplated is not authorized
by existing law, justified Executive act
Az he rpOlI o. M ST he
the matter. except to examine and inventory these
flags and adopt proper for their preserva-
ton adding that "an'' objection TO the final
disposition OF them should originate with Congress.
The order OF the War Department Immediately
revoked, and none Of the flags were given out.
None have since been given out. nor has Congress
originated any actor for the distribution OF the
captured batte-fags.