Evening star., 1897-05-11
REINSTATING THE,VETERANS
The Administration Faces a Perplexing
Situation.
Old Clerks Who Arc Incapacitnted by
Age Wnnt Their Positions Again
The Subject Being Considered.

Shortly after President McKinley's term
began policy was gradually formed look
ing to the reinstatement Of soldiers and
widows of soldiers who had been dismissed
by the former administration, and to the
appointment of soldiers and widows of
soidlers whenever an opportunity presented
ITSELF This policy was more promptly
adopted by the Department of Agriculture
perhaps than In any other branch of the
service, but 1t gradually became the set
ted policy of the administration through
out all its departments
Inc fact that the administration was
taxing this course has brought to this city
many men and women entitled to reinstate-
ment II the policy is adhered to- There is
no intention on the part of the aiministra-
Iion 10 recede from its purpose of prefer
ring Tor appointment the men who served
IN the Union army, and the widows of
those who died after making such a record
But the number of persons who have been
drawn to the city because of the announce
| ment of this policy has passed all calcula-
tons, and the most embarrassing part is
that men and women who were efficient
employees OF the government some years
ago have from age been incapacitated.
Senators and representatives do not hesi-
tate to give their Endorsement to these
people, and in a number of instances re-
ins statements have been made of men who
duties assigned them.
Two Instances.
In one of the departments an ex-Union
soldier was reinstated as a watchman
Years ago he was in the government serv-
ice and had good record for efficiency
and character. When he reported for duty
1t was discovered that he was bent with
age and only with difficulty could move
about. The duty assigned him was such as
should be performed by an active man.
The proper care of government property
was involved in his work and ii could be
readily seen that in any emergency in
which he might be called upon TO perform
his duties in any than a perfunctory man.
ner no dependence could be placed upon
him.
In another instance one of the most
faithful clerks who ever served the gov
ernment was reinstated.
He had a high record for work, and had
been dismissed by the administration about
four years ago. AS soon as he again re-
sumed his desk ii was Sc IN that he was un-
able to perform more than fourth of the
work that he had formerly looked after.
His sight had dimmed and age had other
wise shown its effects upon him.
These are only instances of many cases,
and they have caused a good deal of
thought by the administration. The mat
ter has been talked over by Mr.. Mckinley
and his cabinet, with the hope of arriving
at some satisfactory means for giving the
sCiClerS proper cOnSlQeFasl0n ana al the
same time appointing men to public Office
who are fully capable of performing fair
days work in exchange for the salary paid
them.
General Principle.
The general proposition has been ad-
vanced that the government service cannot
be turned int" an inlirmary, and that every
man appointed to position should be able
to properly fill it. 1t is said that there are
thousands who have come here to be REIN
stated. Many have borrowed money to pay
their fare to Washington, and brought
with Them only enough money to pay their
board bills for a short time. They came
with the firm belief that they wouli
promptly be reinstated. The adminstra-
tioh has already made hundreds of REIN
statements, but it is seen that the service
is in danger of being loaded down with
people incapacitated by age. The matter
Is a very delicate one with which TO deal.
The administration proposes to continue
favoring soldiers anG soldiers widows, as
rule. but some test of capacity is re-
garded as absolutely necessary. What this
test Will be is yet to be considered and de-
ter mined.
In the civil service commission there is
also rrmbling of a protest against a too
general reinstatement of people formerly
in the service as a violation of the spirit
OF the civil service law, in that it is re-
garded absolutely necessary TO have
mary discharges of men who are doing
their work satisfactorily in order to make
room for those who are being reinstatel
So far as is known the civil service COM
mis- sion has made no formal protest agains;
these reinstatements, for the reason that
thus far no violation of law can be shown
This matter will be further discussed at
cabinet meetings, and an effort will be
made to adopt policy which will 40 JUS
tice to the soldier while it does not act in
jurioUSly to the government service