The times., 1897-05-09
QUAKER CITY VETERANS
Discharged Mint Employees Pre-
sent Grievances to- Mckinley.
ASSERT PARTY PREJUDICE
Declare Civil Service Reform Law
Was Not Applied at the Mint
Suggest Memorial Day to COm-
memorate Their Reinstatement.

A delegation from the large number
of war veterans who were dismissed from
the United States Mint at Philadelphia dur
ing the administration Of President Cleve-
land, is In Washington seeking to have
some action taken in their matter similar
to that OF the departments in several in
stances since the beginning of Mr.. Nc
Kinley's administration.
The delegation called at the White House
yesterda! and had an interview with
President Mckinley. They were seen
by Times reporter at the conclusion Of
their visit
The gentlemen We're much pleased with
the treatment they received from the Presi-
dent. He is said to have called their at
tention to the action Of his Secretaries in
other cases of war veterans recently dis
missed, and to have assured them that a
full investigation of the Philadelphia mint
matter would be made.
The gentlemen VINO were ediscbargedfrom
the Philadelphia mint have prepared
statement which is signed by the COM
mittee who called at the White House yes
terday.
In this statement, which Is in the nature
of petition, the veterans say:
"As honorably discharged veterans, we
desire reinstatement TO our positions ih the
United states mint at Philadelphia, from
which we were removed by Eugene Town
send. late superintendent, an appointee Of
President Cleveland.
I'VE claim that we are entitled, under
section OF the civil service law, and rule
Q, for the government OF the commission.
.'Onr separa ton from the service was par
ticuiarly obnoxiuos because it was the
work OF one whose mfitness for tine posi-
ton of superintendent caused the Admin
istration to call for his resignation; which,
as the record of the Treasury Department
win or should show, was a virtual dis
missai from office.
"The applica ton of the civil service law
was notmade at the mint until twenty days
after the election of Ma jor Mckinley the
clearest evidence, in our opinion, oil a dis
honest and partisan purpose.
Herman KretZ, the superintendent OF che
mint at the present time, has rejected every
applica ton for reinstatement that has been
made TO him"
They further recte.
"It is coincidence worth OF special
note, in this connection, that at the time
MI Townsend was iiismissing Republican
soldiers from the Mint,8 Mr. Kretz was
holding the position1of Appointment Clerk
in the Treasury Department, and was of
ficially conversant %ftti'the whole trans
action.
The political hitri que and shrewd
manipulation of PARTISAN interests, under
the glIise of law, is so manifest, that it's
condemnation ought TO he the application
OF the remedy at once, now that we are
under the reign or an Administration with
which we are in full and loyal sympathy.
The petition concluded as follows:
1--WE desire also 10 cali attention to the
fact that thirty-two OF our number Were
dismissed on Memorial Day, May 30, 1894.
The choice of this day for such a purpose
is too apparent TO be excused as mistake
or uninsantional We have noticed with no
small degree of satisfaction the reinstate-
ment under similar conditions, of very
many of our comrades TO their places in the
departments at Washington, and cherish the
hope that the Philadelphia Mint Will soon
receive attention. Nothing would more
rejoice the loyal hearts of our comrades
everywhere than the selection of Memorial
Day next, May 80, as the date to com
memorateour reinstatement to the positions
in which W rendered capable aud efficient
service.
I'm the name aud on behalf of ourselves
and comrades; respectfully submitted;
"a j. Andrews, chairman; j. c. Hunter
son, secretary, 81 Wharton street; VIII
liam j. Simpson, Daniel Caldwell, and
Thomas s. Keyser, executive committee -