The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-30

j
Advocate General Torrance. Senior Vice
ommander-in-Chief Robbins Junior Vice
emmander-in-Chief Minton. Custodian
Holeomb, Inspector General Cummins.
committee on legislation OF veterans IN
publis service and OF the committee on
pension legislation.
The report OF the treasurer, Francis
Rawle Of Philadelphia. gave the receipts
as ST. s1 and the disbursements as SS.2St,
leaving balance of 1856. Reports were
also submitted by the secretary, John
Minkley of Baltimore. Md, and by the
executive committee.
The report of the committee on legis-
lation follows:
1.-The committee on legislation for vet
Grams in public service, regretfully but
necessarily reports progress.
'As the result of war two obligations
were incurred. One was financial. 1t re-
quested money, principal and interest.
TO liquidate this. And the promise 70
pay was well kept. The other was sac
riice. TO be cancelled by gratitude; not
in eloquent words, but acts. To care for
him who had borne the battle, the wild
ows and orphans of the fallen, and TO
suitably recognize those who survived
How? Pensions to those who deserved
them; reasonable preference in the pub
lie service to those who were worthy
and sought needed employment This in
justice? In mourning this obligation of
sacrifice, a national debt was created.
None more sacred. In settling 1t, poliu-
cal considerations have no roghtful share.
Gratitude is ever a paramount issue.
Looking over the debates OF the con-
crosses there can be found many kind
words spoken for the soldier and sailor
but absolutely nothing in the way OF
statutory law insuring TO those who en-
tered the military and naval service in
times of war-serving until the end of
their terms of enlistment or the close Of
hostilities, being honorably discharged
a reasonable preference in the public SER
vice, in times of peace. Pensions? Yes.
viii any American urge hat any meagre
pittance as a pension doled out compen-
safes loss of manhood? The manhood
that was ready to sacrifice life itself.
voluntarily, in battle, IN order that the
republic might survive? And the inner
ent desire to earn bread by labor? Per-
ish the thought. We will not believe it
INSTEAD of public office being "a pub
lie trust 1t is too frequently regarded
as "a private snap This permeates all
our government in spots. An honorable
discharge for the military or naval ser
vice-the greatest badge of honor that
can come to any citizen in this republic
as a recommendation, when applying for
employment to public officials. ought by
them to be respected. In some depart
ments, however, in recent years, the
badge or button of the Grand Army OF
the Republic evidencing service and sac
| rifice in the days which tried mems
| souls notably so in the navy yard al
| Brooklyn, y. Y, is not alone regarded
with disfavor by some of the little
! bosses there, but makes him who wears
/ 1t the subject of -idicule and not seldom
of insulting language unworthy to come
from one VINO claims to be an Ameri-
| can. And besides this, though preferred
/ for appointment, veterans are the first
! discharged. And usually in such a way
| that they can not hope to get back. This
is no fancied picture.
| prevail of Hon John D. Long, secretary
| of the navy, who many times when ap-
! pealed to has shown in various ways his
regard for the just claims of veterans Of
war, the stage affecting employment al
| navy yards and the system in vogue OF
mixing the petty boss sole Judge, jury
and execudoner, concerning the merits OF
men when reductions Of force are made
! necessary for any cause. permits it
| Some of these bosses hates the veteran
! who is a Grand Army man. The fac
| that no statutory law protects worthy
veterans enables discrimination ant
wrong, many times due to prejudice
| alone, being done to them.
During the year the chairman Of your
| committee has many times had occasion
to go to our comrade, William Mckinley
president Of the United States. in the in
| terest Of other comrades who needed
help or protection, and never in vain.
| Numerous reservations to the public
service of veterans wronged. gave needed
| help and some sweeping reforms in ideas
| of administration adopted by him for the
! protection OF other veterans IN theii
|
| our people in other directions.
''That the war for the Union and what
| is cost in sacrifice may not be forgotten
| nor its survivors belittled-particJlarly
| by the politicians-in this day and gensr-
alton, is the supreme duty. with US. in
this hour.
THAT volunteer service IN the armies
and navy Of the United States in times
Of WI deserves not alone emulation and
praise. but to those who survive and are
| honorably discharged being worthy and
capable. preferment for appointment, pro-
| motion and retention in the public ser
vice in times Of peace. Is a principle "a
which we ought to stand committed now
and forever"
At the conclusion OF the reading Of tbs
annual reports OF the various officers ar
adjournment was taken undi 2.5l p. m
when consideration OF reports was re-
zumed in executive session. Many Of The
delegates were in favor q finishing uE
the routine business Of the encampme1i
today II possible. and Il vas accordingly
voted to hold an evening session begin
ming at 80.
when the convention met In the after
noon the first thiag taken up vas tha
+ report Of the pension cofana.t,ee. TAis
would contain. it vas generally thoaght
some warm statements. but there vers
/ none There was not IN the report a
I specific declaSatloR OF res omHssu dsti9u
upsa any subject. The coumiytee a ths
outset vent az Isagth luta tae history q
the wOrk dane b. G. \ r. committee
in obtaining from ~ lass congress ~
( grasses IN certain classes - pecsiars
80 slsr..-s.-9 thr tI.rarsrree 81 nn.nlor