The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-01-19

the man in public life called at the
Navy Department. After procuring
necessary affidavits and unraveling a
skein of red tape he was successful.
When the discharge was forwarded to
the squadron, however, the printed in
dignantly refused to accept it. He de-
clared that his wife was drunk and not
sick. AS for himself, he was entirely
satisfied with his situation, and he in
tended to hold it, as he had never
asked for discharge. He wrote We
hement letter to the representative, up
braiding him for his officiousness, and
advising him to attend to his own bust
ness hereafter.
But the bane of the debonair states
man is the deserter and the unworthy
pension seeker. If the records in the
War Department bear out the asser-
lions of the applicants, there is very
little trouble in procuring the neces-
sary papers, in nine cases out or ten,
however, the records fail to sustain the
allegations. In one case an applicant
excused his fault by declaring he was
the inmate of a certain hospital when
he should have been on duty. He
clinched it by giving the names of the
hospital steward and of many of his
comrades occupying beds in the same
institution. An examination OF the re-
cords proved him a liar. Neither his
name nor the names of any of his al
legged comrades appeared on the hospl-
tai roll Even the steward was fig
ment of his imagination. When these
facts were called to his attention, he
contented himself by reasserting his
allegations and matchmaking the
government. He boosted of his achieve
ments in the war, and Swore that he
aoain frW m another
country More remarkable still was the
case of a deserter. He wanted favora-
BILE consideration of a bill, referred to
the Committee on Naval Affairs, re-
moving a charge of deSertion. An IL
linois congressman accompanied him,
and went over the papers with his de-
bonair colleague. In his mind they
were sufficient to secure favorable
report to the House. Ten minutes later
the debonair gentleman was standing
at the main entrance of the House
when he was accosted by handsome
and we'll dressed lady. She was evil
IDENTIFY a woman of refinement She was
anxious to get copy of bill awaiting
consideration in the Committee on Mil
itary Affairs. The genial representa-
tive, of course, proffered his services.
While hunting for what she wanted on
the files of the committee he unearthed
a bill that almost took his breath
away. 1t was for the relief of a de-
serter identical in name with the man
who was trying to reinstate himself in
the Committee on Naval Affairs. He
had deserted from both the army and
navy, and was quietly trying to have
the stigma removed in both branches
of the service. Promptly was the at
tention Of the Illinois congressman
called to the unexpected discovery. He
read the new bill and nearly collapsed.
The deserter was man OF great
wealth and influence, but he failed to
secure a rehabilitation in that Con-
gress. II persistent, he may have at
tanned his object in days passed since
then.
once. however a deboniar states
man did the right thing. He was re-
turning from the House restaurant en-
toying a good cigar, when he met
veteran in a faded Grand Army uni
form. He was dry and hungry. See
ing the q. A. r. button In the lapel
of the congressman's coat, he gave a
signal OF distress. In "A few words he
told his story. He had a pension bill
before the House. II had passed the
Senate. and was awaiting further ac-
ton. The man representing the vet
GRAMS district was overwhelmed with
bills OF similar character, all taking
precedence. The soldier had been three
months dancing attendance az the
Capitol His money had given out ana
he slept wherever night overlook MIN.
That night was what was known az
pension night, set aside for the e0naid-
Grafton Of pension bills. The con-