Evening star., 1897-03-26

service examination, although well adapted
to employment of such nature. AS there is
no other government employment open to
them, and they cannot hope at this late
day to meet with success in civil life. 1t Is
hoped that the President will remove this
barrier to their appointment to the posi-
tons mentioned, and that they may have
preference over all others.
1t is also respectfully submitted that it
would be a gracious act toward these fast
aging veterans if the President would rec
Cmmend to Congress the modification of
the civil service rules as to permit the
appointment of honorably discharged SOL
dlers, sailors and marines, and their
widows. to any branch of the civil service
not requiring technical skill or knowledge,
where the salary. as fixed by law or regu-
lation, is not above $500 per annum. or s.
per day. without civil service examina-
ton.
During Mr. Cleveland's first administra-
tion many ex-solders and sailors were UNI
justly discharged from the departments,
though the discharges were not of the
wholesale character which has character
lied those of the past four years.
Under the old civil service rIle 10 tnow
rule ~, no one who had been separated
from classified position in the civil serv-
Ice could be reinstated. after the lapse of
one year, without new examination and
certification.
President Harrison was appealed to. and
he modified the rule so that the limit of
time within which one thus separated from
the civil service might be reinStated with
out a new examination or certification was
done away with far as honorably dis
charged soldiers and sailors, their
widows. were concerned thus making them
eligible to reinstatement at any time.
Under this modification. quite a number
succeeded in re-entering the service but
many Of them were forced to wait for
vacancies and, for the sake of their fam
lilies, took inferior positions, and have
b6en n
positions from which they were discharged.
Others never succeeded at all. During the
past four years the modification of the
above rule has been practically imperative.
tive.
The Relief Sought.
The relief which these comrades seek
is simple. They respectfully ask that, by
executive order. or in such other manner
as he may deem best, the President will
direct:
1st- That all honorably discharged ex-
Union soldiers. sailors. or marines. who
served during the war of the rebellion, or
the widows of such. who have since March
4. 1885, resigned, been discharged. or re-
duced in salary. without just cause in any
of the executive departments of the gov
ernnlent, or in any other office or bureau
OF the government in the District of CO.
lumbia. shall. upon application in writing,
and without examination be promptly re-
stored to their former positions.
2. That if any such soldier sailor or
marine, or the widow of such, has been dis
charged or reduced in salary during the
said period. for alleged delinquency or mis-
co7duct, he she shall, upon making ap-
pi1cation IN writing-(a) be accorded an in
vesugation for the purpose of determining
whether or not he or she was guilty of
the delinquency or misconduct charged,
and, If so, whether or not such delinquency
or misconduct of such gravity as to
warrant dismissal And he or she shall
be heard In his her own defense II
such charg" be not sustained, or is found
not to be sufficiently grave to debar him or
her from re-entering the service, then sucn
soldier. sailor, or marine, the widow
of such, shall be promptly restored to his
or her former position without examina-
ton. Or-tb) he or Sne shall. notwi:hstand-
ing such charge, upon filing an application
In writing, be promptly reapponted to his
or her former position without examination
upon prcba tionary term, however of six
months. And if, at the expiration of that
period, he she he found capable eff
cient and of good habits, he or she shall
receive q permanent appointment.
3D. That no honorabiy discharged soldier,
sailor. marine, who served during :he
war of the rebellion, or the widow of such,
shall be obliged to take a competitive ex-
animation for promotion.
4th. That no honorably discharged SOL
der. sailor. or marine. or the widow or
orphan of such. shall be discharged from
the government service without being first
heard in his or her OWE defense.