The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-29
BUSINESS BEGINS.
rContinued from the First Page.1


CONTINUED from the First Page.1
5000 formerly allowed the adjutant gem
eral for editing the journal of the pre-
vious encampment, which was done this
year without expense to the Srano
Army of the Republic.
The contributions for the Southern
Memorial Fund amounted to $1,S19, OF
which the Woman's Relief Corps do
mated $1,000
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LEGIS-
LATION.
The committee on legislation for vet
Grams in public service, regretfully, but
necessarily reported: Progress" As the
result of war, two obligations were IN
Cured One was financial 1t required
money, principal and interest, to nqui-
date this And the promise to pay was
well kept. The other was sacrifice. To
be cancelled by gratitude. Not in elo-
Quent words, but acts. To care for MIN
who had borne the battle, the widows
and orphans of the fallen and to suita-
bly, recognize those who survived. How?
Pensions to those who deserved them;
reasonable preference in the public ser
vice to those who were worthy and
sought needed employment This in JUS
tice. In mourning this obligation of sac
rihce, a national debt was created. None
more sacred. In settling it, political
considerations have no rightful share.
Such sacrifice was above all politics
Gratitude is ever a paramount issue.
Looking over the debates of the con-
words spoken for the soldier and sailor,
but absolutely nothing in the way of
statutory law inSuring to those who en-
ter the military or naval service in times
of war-Serving until the end of their
terms of enlistment or the close of hos
tilitieS, being honorably discharged-a
reasonable preference in the public ser
vice, in times of peace. Pensions, yes
VIII any American urge that any
meagre pittance as a pension do1ed out
compensates loss of manhood? The
manhood that was ready to sacrifice life
itself, voluntarily, in battle, in order to
earn bread by labor. Perish the thought
We will not believe it.
Instead of public office being pub
lie trust it is too frequently regarded
as a private snap.'' This perTneates
orable discharge from the military or
naval Service-the greatest badge of
honor that can come to any citizen in
this republicans q recommendation
when applying for employment to pub
lie officials, ought by them to be re-
spected. In some departments, how
ever, in recent years the badge or but
ron OF the Grand Army OF the Republic
evidencing service and sacrifice in the
days which tried mems souls,'' notably
so in the navy yard at BroOklyn-Ne
York, is not alone regarded with dis
favor by some of the little bosses"
there, but makes him who wears it the
subject of ridicule and not seldom of
insulting language unworthy to come
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.
While such conduct has not the ap-
prevail of John D. Long, secretary of the
navy, who has many times when ap-
pealed to shown in various ways his re-
gard for the just claims of veterans of
war, the statute affecting employment
at navy yards and the system in vogue
of making the petty boss" sole judge,
jury and executioner, concerning the
merits of men when reductions of force
are made necessary for any cause per-
Inits it. Some of these bosses hate the
veteran who is a Grand Army man.
The fact that no statutory law protects
worthy veterans enables discrimination
and 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 ser
vice of veterans wronged, gave needed
help and some sweeping reforms in ideas
of administration adopted by him for
the protection of other veterans in their
rights have produced good results for
our people in other directions.
That the war for the Union and what
it cost in sacrifice may not be forgotten
1lOf It's SURVIVORS Oc OclllllSO-
larly by the politicians-in this day and
generation, is the supreme duty with US
in this hour.
That volunteer service in the armies
and navy of the United States in times
of war 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 to
which we ought to stand committed now
and forever.