The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-11
FOR REPUBLICANS.
oLEARLNG THE PENsIoN ROLLS OF
HRlUD IA ONE THING.

Hhob HChNnIoyNn IInpon AEO 70 ~ Ohabha ~ ~
stands Up fer Hsnest l1oney-Te That pnd
the sspubiican Party rs the Oniy 1nstrunent
speech 81 Eiihu Root 20 the Union LeaGue.
The FIRST regular monthly meeting following
the annual election of officers for the ensuing
year Of tho Union League Club, hold in January
last. was held last evening. Tho new Presi-
dent, Elihu Root. presided. and as he took the
chair made an address which was applauded
by tho club and ordered printed. These are
some Of the things Mr.. Root said:
The enormous and continued growth OF the
pension rolls q third Of q century after the close
Of tho civil war has been accompanied by WIDE
spread and repeated charges Of wholesale
fraud. until the roll, that should be all honor,
is covered with suspicion, and the annual pay
ments, which should be made freely and CRATE
fully, are made grudgingly and angrily on the
part Of many honest and genuine Americans.
The honor Of tho army and navy of the civil
war demands that the cloud be cleared away;
that IL the disgraceful imputation be not true.
1t should be refuted and set at rest forever, and
IL It DO true, that tho wrong should be re-
dressed; that the rolls should be purged and
tho lists of honor be freed from the companion
ship of fraud. Until this is done the worry pur-
pose and original mission Of this club remains
unfulfllod.
1.-THE same obstacles to the FREQ and effective
expression Of tho popular will which the club
found thirty years ago at The poles and attacked
with triumphant force still exist to-day at tho
primaries. Our present method Of securing
fair elections requires that the citizen who
really has opportunity to express his will should
have q voice in determining what names should
DO printed on tho ballots. The exercise Of this
right of nomination has now no adequate pro.
lection against fraud and corruption.
Fraud and corruption have in fact deprived
tho people of their voice in the selection Of can.
didates in 30 many instances that there is g
widespread public demand for the same kind Of
reform in tho law regarding nominations that
we commenced. thirty years ago regarding cleo
tions. The problem is the same; the methods to
sity is equally vital and imperative: 1t is, OF
the highest consequence that, tho legislative
to really secure a ffu%ii,free opportunity for every
citizen, in his own party, to have his voice n
be placed upon the official ballot, No Govern
ment founded upon popular will can possibly
live while tho people are denied the opportunity
Another duty rests upon us. Tho assault
upon our national honor and credit, which was
newed. The President OF the United states, by
nature prudent and snRacious. in method care
d@l p snd O 9ons ss@inisir seGeInfb S atW %s heart the s SSurys
fearless. who never speaks too soon. but Is OIL
ways, ready when the occasion comes, has
faith. The House of representatives., the PEG
pies House has responded to his call, nat inc
senate OF inc InltcQ SIuIcS nus UnSNCI0u W q
sullen declaration Of adherence to the policy OF
Reputation and dishonor. This very year tho
people of tho United States are TO declare their
judgment upon the issues, and, by the election
of q now Congress and of many Senators. to say
whether they. stand with Mckinley and the
ate. Surely upon this issue the duty of this club
is clear and imperative. The time for the per.
us and by those who think with us, Is now, i'm.
mediately; not n week. not a day, should be lost
in commencing the successive steps, necessary
IN Nnn lhn thu rnn n q tha nnlla | n N VRf IN
I'm practical performance the two duties which
I have last described coincide. Il the country
the House. it must be by the election OF the can
d did, nominated BY the i,epp6liGGna party sIc
surely nhe Pft oT@ins the li fUrse Of D Sc sayanis organic i
these two organizations there is no possibility q
state i divided. It is divided BY local qnos.
tions. by personal questions. by organizations
inefficient primary laws. The divisions are
upon lines Of principle. which will not be sur
rendered. rendered W Snd Which, si ! thi snesS Snsat fo net n 1S Ss suF i
shall not surrender under any circumstances 1
can conceive;
overwhelming issue formed between the ma:
tionai parties. 1t is not upon any great issue OF
decided al the next election there is a common
purpose. It needs tut the working out of a fair
and practical opportunity for common action
upon that field. irrespective of all other fields,
to produce that union of effort which will in
spire confidence. add strength to courage. sub
stitute hope for dependency. and result in VIC
tory. A primary law enacted by the present
Legislature. II 1t be really just, really practi-
tunity, for upon its just basis every citizen of
the State who stands by Mckinley and. the
House. for national honor and faith. for indi-
ViduRl freedom and personal rights. for the prin-
ciples of the American Revolution against the
passions of the French Revolution. may have
his equal voice in selec ing the candidates for
whom no will vote and the party officers whose
leadership he Is to follow. To insist, IL need he,
in the framing of such a law, to insist that Its
provisions shall be suitable. adequate. and ef-
fecJive, and to urge the Legislature to its en-
actment Is the immediate and pressing duty of
the hour"
This resolution was adopted:
THAT the Committee on Political Reform BIO
requested to inquire INTO and report TO this club
upon the nature of the charges of fraud in the
pension rolls of the United States. tho means
which may be practicable to ascertain the truth
or falsity Of the charges. the methods available
for remedying the evil. II IL exists, and whether.
and in what way. this club may contribute
toward these ends"
The President was also directed to appoint n
committee Of five. OF which he will DO n mem
bcr ex.ofilcio. 10 forward the drafting and en-
actment of a primary election law.
THE CZ4R'S SPEECH.