The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-08-30
G. FRANK BLBHDS ANEW
Turning Himself and Other
Veterans Out of Office
Opens Sntherland's
Wounds Afresh.
OLD SOLDIERS TO ORGANIZE
They Will Band Together 10 See
That The Laws Giving Them
Preference Are En-
forced.
OLD SOLDIERS TO ORGANIZE

Over one hundred enthusiastic veterans
from all parts of the county attended a
mass meeting which was held under the
auspices of the recently organized Vet
Grams Right Association of Hudson
County at the Avenue House on Satur-
day night.
The objects of the meeting We're to ex-
plain the aims of the association SO as to
secure greater cooperation and to discuss
matters generally pertaining to the Wei
fare of veterans.
Major w. b. Simmons, president OF the
association, called the assemblage to or
der at $3.50. He said:-"On behalf OF the
Veterans Rights Association of Hudson
County I extend my heartiest welcome.
1t gives me great pleasure to address my
old comrades who fought side by side.
and / trust you will give the closest at
tention to what is said here tonight.
Secretary Charles r. Vale then read
the following statement of the objects of
the organization
ITO unite in full loyalty and unity OF
action all worthy veterans, whether or
ganized or not. and TO materially educate
ourselves in political Independence.
ITO protect worthy comrades from po-
litical oppression and to supper politi-
cally those citizens and comrades whose
/ record III ID6 past idS pIOtcd lICAh 49,
in full sympathy with the veteran sailor
and soldier of the Union.
by unity of action to have enforced
the laws enacted for the benefit of Union
veterans.
ITO agitate the cause of the veteran at
all times and to endeavor to have en-
acted such laws as will make evasionS OF
existing laws impossible.
ITO take cognizance of and action on
all grievances OF worthy veterans who
have or may hereafter suffer from po-
litical oppression; and by the employment
of the hest legal talent endeavor to OBJ
tain justice and the enforcement of all
just laws that may be on or may here
after be On the statute books, for the
benefit or protection of the veteran.
'And we further declare and make
stitution of the Veterans Rights Assoc
citation of Hudson County any law which
shall she r, eenfii spa in rsE letter or N n spirit fppg ey with III
Army of the Republic, the Union Vet
Grams Union or Veterans League. ex-
ee tTo ggn 2bly al f. ve eflasaaTiH nt po 4 body I polftie
independent of former political %afilia-
lions; to use all honorable means in fur
therance of the election to public office
record in the past and by whose promise
for the future will solemnly pledge them
selves for the future to favor the employ
ment of veterans in municipal, State and
National employment, or a fair share
thereof.
And we further assert and make
known to our fellow citizens who have so
nobly and generously stood by us in the
past that the veteran is loyal to the laws
of the community, believes in the gov
erning power, and respects all legal au-
thority, and believing in the justice of cur
cause, it is our right to be loyal and true
to each other, and we solemnly pledge
ourselves to stand by those who stand By
Us"
TIL reading of this declaration of prin-
ciples produced great applause. Secre-
tary Vale then read letters of regret
from Mayer Hoos, Congressman McEwan,
Frank O.. Cole and many others.
After the passage of several resolutions
the Secretary read a statement of the
objects of the organization and said it
was the intention of the promoters to
establish branches of the association in
every city, town and county in the State.
President Simmons then introduced g.
Frank Sutherland as the Soldier Ora
tor" Mr.. Sutherland delivered a char
acteristic address which was well re-
ceived. He said: II came here tonight
to greet my brother veteran and to stand
side by side with him who wore the blue.
1t pains me greatly when / think how
the poor veteran soldier is being treated.
Comrades, 1 say that it is a disgrace to
the fair name of the State of New. Jer-
sey, and no credit to the county of Hud-
son, nor to the city of Jersey City, to al
low our old and disabledesoldier to be
thrown on the waves of the world as has
been DONE
Mr.. Sutherland is a veteran who was
turned out of Office, and is now seeking
a reinstatement.
What is to become of the old heroes .
he asked, ewho offered their lives as a
sacrifice on the altar of their country?
They who fought so bravely that their
country's honor and integrity should be
maintained. When / look back and
think of the lays Of 81 and ga. of the
poor fellows who braved the dangers.
privation and suffering of that time, and
consider nov how little is thought of all
that was done, it pains me to the heart
as it should every true American.
If we had not gone to the front and
fought for our flag, where would have
been the wealth and prosperity of our
country today? But now that it is all
over, the wealthy man who shirks his
duty to his country by remaining at
home and amassing riches while we were
at the front, asks, What do you want
what are you entitled tor He remained
at home, drank his glass Of wine and
smoked his good cigar, while we were
wanting the most necessary articles of
food and clothing while fighting to pro-
tect him and his wealth. What would
have happened had we fought less vail
antly and the rebs had reached Wash
ington and invaded the North? Where
then would have been your Goulds, Have
meyers or Morgans?
And now because one mans political
views differ from another. the past is
forgotten, and he is removed from office.
This is all wrong and should be righted.
We should stand shoulder to shoulder
now as we did then and fight for that
which we know to be right-the protec-
ton or our veteran soldiers. A veteran
of the war, be he a Republican or a Dem
ocrat. should not be removed from office
for purely political reasons.
Around election time the good poll
tician comes to you, pats you OH the
back and says. All, my old veteran
4 friend, vol vote for me and | will see
that you are cared for He is elected.
Does he keep his promise? No! He no
longer has use for the old soldier-the
political heller becomes his care. favor
J the enrolment of all veterans under the
next election. Then show our strength
show that there is still fight in us1and
stand by the man who is going to give
{ us our rights
Secretary Charles r. Vale then deliver
ed a stirring address, in which he declared
that the law should make 1t a misde-
meanor, punishable by a heavy fine. to
remove a veteran from office for political
reasons.
President Simmons then called for all
veterans who favored the objects of the
organization TO step forward and sign the
enrolment. Nearly every person present
ooooD4aa the fnx-ifofiop AMI orar - 49,