The times., 1897-08-11
RESTORING TEE VETERANS
The Secretary Of Agriculture Ex-
presses Himself on the Subject.
Correspondence Between Mr.. Will
SOD and Union Veteran Legion
Sympathy for the Old Soldiers.

The Secretary of Agriculture and the
pouncil Of the Union Veteran Legion of
sns city have corresDoEded in regard to
hse restoration of veterans who were dis
missel by the last Administration The
letter from the legion to Secretary Wilson
is as follows:
Council Of Union Veteran Legion,
Washington, July 7, 1897.
To the Honorable Secretary Of Agricul-
fu-e.
SIR. The Council OF the Onion Veteran
Legion, ~ ashin gton, D. c, represents the
three encampIuenLs Of the legion IN this
city, having an aggregate membership OK
upwards of 500 eX-Union soldiers, sailors
anu marines. Our Organization, IN Its OBJ
Jects, does not differ materially from other
patriotic societies. We point, however, with
pride to our restrictive membership, no
oae being permitted to inscribe his name
on our roll unless ne volunteered his
services IN the defense Of the Union prior
To 8Ey draft or offer of bounty, and served
al least two years, or was dtSclia rGed on
account OF wounds received III battle.
q Further shatteIEEg tins week
our members all having thus record OF
actual war service, feel that we have the
right to claim for ourselves all the priYi-
Ieges gUaTa nteed to The defend ers OF the
Itnlon 10y patriotic Congress and conceded
by our honOred President, William Mekin-
Iey a meini,e: OF our organiZa ton J, and by
every head OF department and burea L Off
Ger OF the Administration.
This council, as the duly constituted rep
ress.TtatiVe cf the Union Veteran Legion
OF Washington, ID. C, believing these prom
fsss and pledges to the old soltliers to be
made IA good faith, appeals to you on be-
l,r
the honor herewith to place in your hands.
Ne may here add JharitisoUT determined
pHrpose not TO indoTse nor To present any
department the applics tons Of any PER
sons for positions hom We lave not thor
oughly investigated and found worthy
and competent TO perform the duties OF the
positions which they seek. Very respect
fully.
M. J. Fuote, president; G. C. Kniffln,
first vice president; John n. Ehle,
second vice president; william R.
IIlIlyer, secretary, Andrew Geddes,
Fletcher White, John Finn, Luke
Kelly, Edward Dunn.
The secretary's reply. which viii lie of
Interest 10 Grand Army veterans, is as fol-
lows:
L S. Department Of Agriculture,
Washington, j uIy 27, 1897.
Col. n. ]. Foote, President Council Union
Veteran Legion:
MY bear Sir-Your favor OF recent date
recommending Mr.. William h. II Lundy
for place in this depar6ment has been re-
ceiyed, carefully noted and placed on nle
FOR future consideration
Since J uly il has been necessary TO dis
charge about thirty persons from the labor
ers ron, and about as many more win have
60 go by August J. This is greatly re-
GREETED, but cannot be helped, on account
OF no money.
As you are aware, probably, have been
reinstating old veterans who were dis
charged by the last Administration. 4 bout
sixty have been put back, but there are
eb0ut as many more TO be considered. You
wih doubtless agree with me that those
who were unccrefDouiously removed should
be righted first This we are trying to do
Just Is fast as possible.
Ny deepest and kindest sympathy goes
out TO you old soldiers, who saved our coun-
try; and whatever We can do here to make
the afternoon OF your lives pleasant and
comfortable shall certainly be done. Very
truly yours, JAMES WILSON,
Secretary.