The National tribune., 1900-07-19
Demand His Removal.

MCGRAwvH.LE. n. Y, July 2, 1900.
Headquarters VIM. II. Tarbell Post,
No. 4I6, Department New York, G.. a. II.
Post in session ct a regular meeting,
Commander Sanford in command.
Under the head of new business COM
rade g. ii. Waters arose, and stated that
other @. a. X. Posts in Cortland County
| had passed resolutions asking the TreSi-
dent of the United States to relieve from
further duty the obnoxious III. Clay Ev-
ans, Commissioner of Pensions, and made
motion to the effect that a consensus Of
this Post be taken in regard to the re-
mOval Of the said Commissioner. Com
rade Rumsey suggested that some moro
valid reason than the fact that some other
Post had declared the said Commissioners
obnoxious, and had asked for his retire
ment should be given. Comrade Browe
being present was called upon. lie arose
and proceeded to state wherein the Com
missioner of Pensions was distasteful to
the comrades.
The following preamble and resolution
was written by. the Adjutant and unani-
mOusly passed by vote OF the Posr-was
so declared by the Commander. The Ad-
jutant inquired if the Commanders vote
was included. We'll, yes" was his re-
ply.
Whereas Commissioner OF Pensions H.
Clay Evans was the instigator of and be-
came the enthusiastic advocate of an act
repeating time e-hOnOred law of the Gov
ernment Of the United States, the pro-
visions of which granted pension to the
widows of those who enlisted in the mill
tary service of said Government of the
| United States, and who in time of great
peril stepped out from every walk of So
ciety, business and employment and with
pen, propelled by an honest and patriotic
sense Of duty, signed his name, pledging
his life as security for the maintenance OF
the flag and principles of said Govern
melt; and
Whereas we deem said repeating act
unconstitutional, for the reason that it is
ex post factO in its application to all SOL
diers who enlisted prior to the date when
SAID repeating act became n law. The
said repeating act is intended to abrogate
a contract made and agreed to by and be-
tween the Government of the United
States, party of the first part, and the sol
der who enlisted in the military service
OF said Government, party of the second
part. In the passage of the said repeal
ing act 1t was deliberately planned to rob
the widow of the party of the second part
or the benefit of a provision of law grant
ing her n pension of S96 per year, ana
which law was in full force when the
party of the first part procured the enlist
ment of the party of the second part. and
was part and parcel Of the inducement
offered for the services of the party of
the second part. Now, therefore, after
the obligations Of contract have been
moAeStly anu patFlOtically performed for
80 years by the party of the second part,
the party of the first part by the right
1 iciH, and without consulting or obtain.
ing the consent of the party of the second
part, the great Government of the worlds
greatest Republic seeks to prescribe and
limit the date in which her soldiers shall
marry. A fine reputation schemei Tears
may moisten the pallid cheek on which
time is carving deep lines of sorrow. But
do we propose to call ourselves men or
even permit others to do so, while we
tamely submit, without protest against
such indignities being so profusely heaped
upon us, and while we are made a dump
ing ground upon which Commissioner Ey-
ans unhesitatingly unloads the offaIs of
his insults? Therefore, in view of the
foregoing statement of facts, set forth
only from motives of serene impulse and
uneomprOmising integrity, be it
Resotced, That this Post. convened at its
regular meeting, do hereby petition the
President of the United States to secure
the release of the said H Clay Evans
from the further performance of the duties
OF Commissioner of Pensions.
MITCHELL SANFORD,
Post Commander.
A. B. RUMsEY. Adjutant pro TEN.