Evening star., 1897-03-26
VISIT OF VETERANS
A Grand Army Delegation Calls on
the President.
A PRINTED STATEMENT PRESENTED
How Ex-Union Soldiers and Sailors
Have Been Treated.
TIL f RI. NJ E EDY sou G. II T

rtCeiNcl anu WtitDflleu d VI
Grand Army men of this department, con-
sisting of Thomas s. Hopkins. department
commander: DR. ]. F. Raub. senior vice
department commander: Gen. S. S. Bur
dette. past commander-in-chief; Arthur
Hendricks assistant adjutant general of
the department of the District of Column
bia; Calvin Farnsworth. commander Post
No. >: and Captain Miller. representing
eighteen one-armed veterans. The visit
was for the purpose OF presenting a state
ment of their case. and asking for the res
tOration of veterans and their widows who
had been removed from the public service
or reduced in salary during the past four
years. The statement showed that of re-
ductions- removals. etc. during that pc
riod twenty-one and one-half per cent were
veterans their widows. and of promo
tions for the same class they received but
eight per cent.
The President accorded the department
commander a most respectful hearing and
the delegation departed with the assurance
that their case would receive speedy at
tention at the hands of the executive.
marked feature of the visit was rhe
assembling in the east room of eighteen
one-armed veterans. who had been re-
moved from government service during Mr.
Cleveiands incumbency. They selected
Captain Miller. one of their number TO ac-
company the department commander in
the interview with the President.
The President showed his callers the
greatest attention and evinced the deepest
interest in the matter. He assured them
that 1t was a subject he greatly desired to
take IN. and that he should do at the
earliest possible moment. The delegation
went away feeling confident that Justice
would be done and that in the President
they had a friend and comrade. The Pres
ident instead of handing the printed brief
to his secretary, a. is customary in all
such matters. placed il in his coat pocket
stating that 1t was In such form that he
coald keep il near him, so that at mo-
ment when he had time he could take 1t
up for consideration. The following is the
statement presented by Commander Pop
kins:
The Statement Presented.
The undersigned commander of the De-
partment of the Potomac. G.. y. r.. re-
spectfully invites the attention of the
President TO the following statement con-
cerning the injustice and violation of the
spirit. if not the letter of the law, under
which many members of the department
have suffered during the past four years
at the hands of an administration which
has been indifferent, if not actually hos
tile, TO their welfare.
In the name OF the Grand ARMY of tine.
Republic of this department. and in behalf
of all ext MON soldiers. sailors and
marines. he appeals TO you, as the chief
executive of the nation, and comrade
to right their wrongs and grant them the
full measure Of justice.
During the past four years 5i4 ey-sol-
diers in the government departments in
Washington have been discharged forced
to resign or reduced to inferior positions
This does not include the cases of widows
nor does it include any case in the navy
yard or the government printing Office.
Recent official reports from the eight
executive departments show that since
March 4. 1888. 1854 appointments in the
civil service were made and that bur ~.
per cent of these dnpojntseS mi.
soldiers. sailors and marines.
During this period there were 5n44 pro-
Inotlons OF which the veterans received but
s per cent.
OF the reductions. designations and re-
movals during this period 21Iz per cent
were veterans Of the war of the rebellion
This illustrates in a striking manner how
the veteran has been Disseminated against.
What investigation Dfsclo,e..
Investigation discloses that in a large
number of cases the resignation of the en-
ploye was demanded and given IL he re-
fused to resign. he was charged OIL the
record with delinquency or misconduct
and summary dismissed. Not infre.1I.rt-
Iy he became the object of the petty spite
OF superior officer, such the chief OF :.
DIVISION or OF section. and his record for
efficiency was systematically forced Gown
until II reached the minimum. and his dis
charge followed.
In many cases oae-arrncI and orhe-u,is..
crippled veterans. although perfectly com
petent TO perform clerical duties were
transferred to positions involving different
duties and requiring physical strength and
endurance. Failing to do that which was
impossible. they Were charged with ineffi-
cheney and dismissed. Loss of limb or nos
session OF a medal of honor for gallant-v
upon the Held OF battle was NJ guarantee
of security.
Those who were not discharged or com
PEELED 10 resign were. In many instances
red1ced Ia salary though often required to
perform the same duties as before Not n
Few who We're receiving 81 600 and 81 500
per annum We're reduced as low IS x12O
$50 and 81 04D.
In all these cases respectful protests and
requests for a hearing were inv,r,ahIv Dc
MED, and political favorites were appointed
TO the vacancies thus made
Those who were permitted TO remain in
the service were, in many of th. offices
subjected to insult and ANNOYANCE and
compelled to listen to slurs Upon the Union
soldier until the situation became alrnost
unbearaDle- So unpopular was the veteran
in office that many believed fl necessary
In order to retain their positions tha. tbev
should conceal the fact o: heir mIlitary
service, and cease 10 wear the honn-e1
Grand Army button
Reign of Terror
IL has been a reign of terror 10 the Old
soldier during the past four years in this
capital city. which he helped TO save
Many brave man whose body was torn
and mangl-d in the service of his country
Las seen his wife and children suffer for
food, many dead veterans poor widow
mas suffered in silence and in poverty
while. be II said 10 the everlasting disgrace
ana shame of the nation. in many in
stances positions they were abundantIv
able 10 i'll have been occupied by men. or
the WIDOWS or children of men, who served
In the confederate army. Even the sacred
portals OF the pension bureau have been in
Ndded and ex-confederates and tbei,
widows and children permitted TO sit In
rh.. ala
diers- "
During these four years of suffering do
preston and wrong the comrades have been
sustained by an answering faith tha, ,be
succeei ling administration would be friend
~ TO their interests. Their faith was well
iOLhaed- Ana words cannot fully express
their JOY over the welcome change
The attention of the President 10 a,so
respectfully invited 10 the fact that the
clFli service rules now cover the positions
OF watchmen. assistant watchmen nessen
gers. ETC.. in the several departments re-
curing an examination as the condition
Precedent to entry of the public service.
Crippled Veterans,
Many armless, legless and otherwise erin.