The National tribune., 1902-10-16

that II was the grandeSt kncampment
he had ever seen. and that it was one to
give us additional pride in the grandest
organization the world ever saw.
RESTORATION OF CoMRADE HANBACK,.
A resolution was introduced asking for
the restoration to public employment of
Comrade Charles Hanback,, of Kansas.
who had been for II years one of the most
efficient employees of the Pension Bureau,
where he served as Special Examiner, but
was dismissed by Commissioner Evans
upon suspicion of giving information to
the Committee on Pensions. The reSolu-
ton was strongly supported by Comrades
Tanner, McElroy and others. who bore
testimony to Comrade Hanback's ability
and character. and the injustice of his
treatment. The resolution was unani-
mOusly adopted. and on motion of Com
rade Hawley copies were sent to the
Senate and House Committees On PEN
SiOnS.
THANKS TO WASHINGTON.
The following resolution was unani
mOusly adopted:
Resolved, That in leaving here for our
homes we will carry with US and will ever
hold i'll cherished memory the pleasures
of our entertainment and the long and
arduOus services rendered by our Comrade,
B. II. Warner, and the Citizens Commit
tee who made provision for lis; that we
express also our appreciation of the effort
of the District officials, our comrades of
the Department of the Potomac, the peo-
pie of the City of Washington, the trus-
tees of the First Congregational Church,
in which we are now gathered, and to each
and all who have generously and patriot.
ically contributed to our comfort and en-
joyment, and the sincere thanks of this
Encampment are hereby rendered.
Resolved, That the Adjutant- General
forward n copy Of these resolutions to the
District Commissioners. the Chairman of
the First CONGREGATIONAL Church. and the
Commander of the Department of the
Potomac.
THE ARMY UNIFORM.
The matter of the proposed change in
the uniform of the United States Army
from blue to green was discussed in a re-
port of committee, which stated that
there was no intention of changing the
dress uniform, but that service suits would
likely be of green. This report, indicating
that there would still be the boys in
blue" was accepted as ending the Incl
dent, no harm being seen i'll any change
that might be made in the service uni
form.
VETERAN LEGISLATION.
Comrade Jos. w. Kay (N. ", from the
Committee on Legislation, made n report
as to the efforts which have been made
to obtain measures from Congress favor
able to the employment of veterans by the
Government. Especial attention is called
to the attempts which were made to have
Congress at its recent session to amend
section 1854 relative to the prefefment of
veterans of the civil war for appointment
to and retention in civil offices and en-
ployments. Relative to this proposed
amendment, the report, which was unani-
mously adopted, says:
Can this be the measure of the
Nations gratitude expressed in section
1855, Revised Statutes, as the Senate
Committee seems to think? Certainly not.
We ask for justice, and are offered
stone. Should such a bill become law,
then the statute (section 1154) signed by
the martyred President, Abraham Lincoln,
is repealed, and nothing is left. Even
that little which was long since given to
some, is taken away. and the soldiers
and sailors of the Republic, even the few
victims; while the injustice and ingrati-
tude ever meted out to those honorably
discharged from the military or naval SER
vice by reason of the end of their terms
of enlistment are still to continue.
"Thirty-seven years is too long to wait
for justice to the Union soldier and sailor.
especially when anxiety is now expressed
concerning. the people of Cuba, Porto Rico.
and the far-away Philippines, aye. even
those of China, lest the National honor,
pledged TO them, be not fully observed.
Are the obligations of America to for
eigners more sacred or binding than those
due to the defenders of the Nation!.
I'VE would remind the Congress that
when the lamented President, William
Mckinley wrote. Preference should be
given to honorably discharged soldiers and
sailors and their widows and orphans in
respect to the public service he simply
re-echoed and emphasized the sentiment
emblaZOned on a banner which stretched
across Fifteenth street from the Treasury
Building, Washington. at the time of the
final Grand Review. in May, 1860, and
which proclaimed, There is one debt this
Nation can never repay-the one it owes
its defenders or words to like effect.
In strong contrast with no result of all
appeals to the Congress was that action
of the President in direct answer to the
request of the last National Encampment.
contained in resolutions emanating from
your committee of last year, which APP
pears in the following Executive Order:
The attention of the Departments is
hereby called to the provisions Of the
laws giving preference to veterans in ap-
pointment and retention.
""Ihe President desires that wherever
the needs of the service will justify it
dHu tHe IdNS Will permit, preference SiidH
be given alike in appointment and reten
ton to honorably discharged veterans of
the civil war who are fit and qualified to
perform the duties of the places which
they seek or are filling.
I. .THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
"'White House, Jan. II. 1902"
THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
The committee recommended:
First, That the Committee on Legis-
latiOn for Veterans in the Public Service
be continued. That similar committee
to this be appointed by the incoming Com
Chief, with instructions to urge
upon the lawmakers of the Nation at the
coming session of Congress the enactment
of II. X. 141O5, as introduced, or some
similar measure of legislation.
Second. That in the event Of failure
and the adjournment of the 57th Congress
occurs without legislation thereupon. the
Commander-inC Chief and said committee
are fully authorized, directed, and charged
to appeal to the President of the United
States, in the name of the Grand Army
of the Republic, for justice, and respect
fully request and urge that he will exercise
the power conferred upon him by section
1853, Revised Statutes, to the end that by
Executive Order, or otherwise, he will
make effective throughout the civil service,
in a practical way, as applied to the Ma
tiOnal Government, the recOmmendatory
provisions of section 1855, Revised Stat
utes, and also insure that the require
ments of all other laws affecting the rights
of hOnOrab bly, discharged soldiers and sail
Ors, in matters of appointment. employ
ment, and retention in the public service