Sunday Washington globe., 1902-03-09
TOO TRULY TRUE
Are These Veterans Remarks and
Criticisms on the Veteran Prefer
ence Humbug OF President
and Congress

II is presumed by a very large majority
of citizens of the United States and those
who are posted in such matters, that the
veterans of the civil war the very men who
made it possible for our present prosperity,
a united country, z0ikh one tag, them
selves with one foot in the grave, an past
me ORe-haT csNtHYp mark, have the advan-
tage over civilians who never did service,
in federal appointments and Civil Service
examinations for the reason that the pub
lie judges from what they read in the laws
of our land. See page 3I2 Revised
Statutes Z. s..
SECTION 1888; The President is author
lied to prescribe such regulations for the
admissions Of persons into the Civil Ser
vice of the United States as may best pro-
mote the efficiency thereof, and ascertain
the fitness of each candidate in respect to
age. health, character, knowledge and abil-
ity for the branches of service into which
he seeks to enter, and for this purpose he
may employ suitable persons to conduct
such inquiries and may prescribe their
duties and establish regulations for the con-
duct Of persons who may receive appoint
ments in the Civil Service"
Sec. 1854: Persons houorably discharged
Of disability resulting from wounds or sick
ness incurred in the line of duty shall be
preferred for appointments to civil Offices,
provided they are found to possess the busi-
ness capacity necessary for the proper dis
charge Of the duties of such Offices"
Sec I755, Revised States, reads as follows
I'm grateful recognition of the services,
sacrifices and sufferings Of persons honor
= e.
service Of the country, by rRasou of wounds,
disease, expiration Of terms Of enlistment,
il is respectfully recommended to bankers,
merchants. manufacturers mechanics,
farmers and persons engaged in industrial
pursuits, to give them the preference for
appointments to remunerative situations
and employment.
The above three sections of Revised
Statutes are the three stumbling blocks the
veterans OF 1861 to 1865 read and draw their
conclusions from, also the general public,
who endeavor to inform themselves upon
this particular point.
Outsiders would naturally form but one
opinion towit
"All soldiers have a preference in Civil
Service examinations and appointments ="
All who think or believe thus, are
laDoIluB uuuel "A NGly great hAAnN"ANi A~A
such is not the condition. The Civil Ser
vice Commissioners, in their lofSdo@, and
construction Of above three sections Of Re-
vised Statutes, 1853, 1854 and I755, revised
to January !, 1907, " Of Manual of Examin-
ations," on page 100, Sec. rSo, rule as fol-
lows
1T is a mistaken idea that ALL houorably
discharged soldiers and sailors are entitled
to preference in certifcation or appoint
ment
It seems the above ruling caughtthe eye OF
President Roosevelt, no doubt coupled with
complaints from the veterans, who surely,
in this discriminating ruling have a righr
TO complain in a vigorous manner until the
wrong is corrected.
The President, no doubt with an honest
purpose, caused the following executive
order to be issued,
"The attention Of the department IS here
by called to the provisions Of the laws Civ
ing preference to veterans in appointment
and retention
"The President desires that wherever the
needs Of the service will justify and the
law will permit preference shall bs gfpen