The evening times., 1896-09-15
JOHN ROSES QUEER CLAIM.
Saws He Is a Lieutenant Com
mander in the Navy.
HISTORY OFTHEUNIQUECAsE
in Musty Uniform and Cock
ed Hat, He Has Pursued Every
Naval Secretary Since the war.
His Tramp From Arkansas-De-
mauds Thousands of Dollars.
r,or &c Iit,le Eurlis bman named John

There is little Englis hman named Johh
G. Rose who is perhaps the most unique anu
persistCpt claimant against the government
ever known III this Mecca of claimants ana
claim agents. His experience in that lii.
since 1866 forms an intensely interesting
chapter. He rea ached this city last evening
from his home in Orange, N. j., and is
stopping at Mrs. Browns clearinghouse
No. 500 Seventh street.
Rose is small III stature and about sAty
wears of age, but Notwithstanding his three
score years he has the energy OF an eiee'iic
current and the pushing capacity of 10
cumotive BY trade he is carpenter pu'
for several years he officiated III orange
as Justice of the peace.
His career as claimant commenced Jus.
about thirty years ago, soon after ne
emerged from the war navy. During 'he
stirring days in the sixties ne was Il
masters mate, and as such served III 'ne
South Atlantic blockading squadron on
the Carolina coasts.
nurinc the memorable Lincoln McCiei-
ian Presidential campaign, in ieo4' hose'
who had enlisted in the navy at New 1oih'
was requested by the commanding oiiicei
of his ship to take a trip to New Jefses
and elcctiunecr for Lincoln, as there were
grave fears that the Mosquito state wouid
give a majority for Little Mac, as IL did'
he being Jerseyman, as wei as Rose
ELECTIONEERED FOR LINCOLN.
The doughty little English sailor was
finally persuaded to go, and was gwen
discharge by the commandment OF the hHip'
who said Rose could re-eDlst at the con-
clusion of the political campaign, and be
restored 10 his original rank OF masters
mate. Upon reaching New York Rose calico
un,u a certain commodore with whom he
was acquainted, and Informed INN OF his
intended campai gning tour. The commodore
asked to see his discharge, and after scan
ming it said
why, this discharge is not worte the
paper il is written on. You Were appointed
in the navy as a warrant officer by the
Secretary uf Navy, and your discharge must
come from the same official. ThisdischarEe,
signed by the captain Of your ship, is value
less. and you could be arrested at any
moment as deserIer, and you know that's
a serious charge in time of war;
These words thoroughly alarmed the lit
tie English jacktar, and lie begged the
commodore To advise him what 10 do in the
emergency.
Return to your ship at once and report
for duty
But" pleaded Rose, my ship is away
down on the South Carolina coast, and
there viii lie no means of reaching her for
over a month
Then" added the commodore, 'go 10
the nearest recruiting agency and enlist
as a seaman and take chances on being re-
stored to your original rank. :.
ROSE LOST HIS RANK.
This Rose did. and was soon afterward
sent to gunboat operating ON the Misss-
sippi RIVER He brought his case to the at
teutionor the captain Of the vessel on which
he was serving. but could receive no re-
dress He was therefore compelled to serve
during the remainder of the war as an ordi-
nary sailor
In the meantime, shortly after the cessa'
ton of hostities, Congress passed an act
which provide that certain petty officers,
including masters mates, who had served
during the war could be promoted through
the several grades to commissioned officers
Now. this is where Rose, the claimant, coin.
menced his career as such.
He claimed that his discharge while mas
ter's mate having been Illegal, he still held
that rank and was entitled to promotion,
according TO the Congressional act lie Iie
nred if out that had he not accepted the
bogus discharge to go to New jersey, ne
would then-in lS66-be entitled to the
rank of lieutenant commander in the navy
Acting upon the suggestion OF TRENDS,
Rose procured himself the full uniform oil
that rank and lost no time in presenting
himself TO the Secretary of the Navy clad In
the brass buttoncd suit. He saluted that
official in the most dignified manner, with
his cock ed hat, and said:
Sir, have the honor to report Tor duty
as lieutenant commander in the United
States navy and request to be assigned to
my ship"
The Secretary summoned the chief clerk
and iudge advocate and told them TO look
into the matter after he had heard
the Englishman's story. He promised to
let Rose hear from him just as soon as
he had reached a solution of the matter
ATTIRED IN HIS RUSTY UNIFORM.
Days, months and years went by and no
solution was reached. Finally another Sec
retary of the Navy was appointed and Rose
again donned his cooked hat and uniform
and called on him just as he had on his
predecessor.
His visit met with the same result.
Nothing daunted, Rose presented himself in
full uniform TO each successive Secretary,
only to be told to watch and wait
Finally the political tide changed and
Democratic administration was swept into
power on the crested waves OF fortune.
This change, Cleveland's first term, found
Rose out in Akansas, where he owns
farm. Being an old-line Democrat, he
felt hopeful that the same crested waves
might be depended upon to raise him to
the poop deck of fame in the navy.
Being without sufficient funds to pay his
railroad fare from Arkansas to Washing
ton. Rose packed his nioth-eaten naval
uniform in dogskin knapsack and started
to tramp it. He finally reached this city
and prepared to present himself to Sec
retary Whitney. The style of his uniform
had long since been discarded by the navy
and was as antique looking, comparatively
speaking, as those worn by the old Cont
nentals.
Attired in his dilapidated rig, the rustic
looking Rose appeared battered and storm
worn as he entered the presence of Sec
retary Whitney. He saluted that dignitary
and asked to be assigned to duty.
who are yo1, sir?'' demanded the Secre-
tary, looking earnestly and curiously at the
battered cooked hat, the high water
pants" and the days Of '76 coat.
HE INTERVIEWED WHITNEY.
.y am iautapant Con,nardar JOhn G.