The San Francisco call., 1897-10-18

was held at Washington Hall, East Oak
land, this afternoon to protest against al
legged discrimIna tion at Mare Island Navy
yard against old soldiers.
The following petition, extensively
signed, was presented to Hon. S. G. Hill.
born, who was present:
OAKLAND, CAL, Oct. 10, 1897.
Hon. Samuel e. Hjl60rR, Member Of House of
Representatives. from Third District California.
HONORABLE TRY our petitioners honorably
discharged veterans OF the late war would
represent that
WHEREAS, The veterans employed at Mare
Island Nrvy-yard. California, on Decembe 4
1896. thirtv-tve men were discharged in the
shlpioiners' department (Robert Hood lore
man), twenty-five OF whom were veterans of
the late war; on April Is, 1897, fifteen men
were disch rged, ten OF whom were veterans
in July, 1897, thirty-ive men were Gale for
employment of which mum Der sixteen were
veterans; on August 3. 1897, thirteen men
were discharged. OF whom nine wern veterans;
on October II, 1897. ten men were discharged,
OF whom i've were veterans. and in ali OF the
other departments OF mployment at Mare
Island the same discrimination exists as
against the veterans employed at the island.
And furthermore, your petitioners would
state in the assignment of work the veterans
are selected Tor the hardest and toughest
work at the island, that they might become
diSgusted and leave. And whereas il is the
pOlcy and law by enactment of the Govern
ment 10 give the employment 10 the veterans
TO civilians, as shown by the statutes OF Cali
tornia, therefore be il
RcSO'Ucd, and your petitioners would pray,
that our esteemed friend and Congressman,
Samuel q. HIlborn, use his great influence TO
recuty these errors of discrimination against
The old veterans OF the late war as
national, be carried out In letter
and spirit in the preferment of veterans
for employment In ali of the various depart
ments al Mare Island Nayy-yards, California;
ana be IL further
Re8olred That we tender to our Congress.
man. :. q. Hilborn, our sincere thanks for his
Efforts in the past 10 secure FOR the veterans
employment on all public work, but which ef-
fOrls have TO a great extent been neutralized
and thwarted by public officials at Mare
Island, and the provision of the law has been
disTegarded in such cases made and provided
a movement was inaugurated to bring
the matter squarely before the Secretary
of the Navy at Washington, D. c. Judge
J. z. McEIroy was chosen chairman, and
Fred Miller of Vallejo secretary. Judge
McElroy In taking the chair stated the
object OF the meeting TO be a redress of
grievances set forth in the petition to Mr..
HlIborn, praying for his earnest efforts in
benalf OF the veterans. Speeches were
made by several veterans who have felt
the effects OF the alleged discrimination
against them by the heads of departments
on the navy-yard.
Congressman Hilborn said: This is
one OF the happiest occasions of my life 10
meet such representative body of ex-
soldiers here to-day. i have long felt that
an injustice was being done you, and am
glad that you have taken this course 10
bring the matter before the commandant
OF the Navy-yars. and through him, 10 the
Secretary of The Navy"
Mr.. Hilborn said he would enter into the
spirit OF the movement, and only asked
the petitioners to furnish the proof when
called upon. An executive committee
composed oi seven veterans was appointed
by the chair TO prepare the papers under
the seal of notary for Mr.. Hilborn.