Evening star., 1902-08-25
VETERANS'GRIEVANCES
SET FORTH BY SOLDIERS AND
SAILORS POLITICAL LEAGUE.
Initial Council Of National organiza-
ton to Have Its Inception
This Evening.

The National Council of the Soldiers and
Sailors Political League, which has its
headquarters in Washington, and of which
Col. S. r. Stratton is secretary, claims to
be meeting with success in all parts or the
country.
An important meeting of the members
will be held this evening at the office of Mr..
Charles M. Forrest, 712 street northwest.
when it Is expected that the initial organi-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Council, No. Twill be
inaugurated.
While the league had its inception only
few weeks ago, the interest that has been
evinced by veterans of the civil and other
wars has been such as to assure tangible
has undertaken.
The National Council today issued the fol-
lowing address, which will be sent to every
old soldier in the country:
Address to Old Soldiers.
ITO the honorably discharged soldiers and
sailors Of the Unit ed States Of America:
"Thirty-seven years experience has es-
| tablished the fact that we must organize
for our mutual protection. We have been
| utilized by political parties and scheming
politicians for their personal aggrandize-
ment long enough. We must unite or we
shall find that our declining years will be
the SaddeSt of our lives.
"Fraternal organizations which preclude
the discussion of political questions will
not furnish US the protection We are justly
entitled to as defenders of our countrys
flag. We must unite in an organization OBJ
lfgated to act as unit in the selection and
election of persons to office who are pledged
to vote for legislation that will give
proper recognition to the soldiers and
sailors, their widows and orphans. Our
ears have been banqueted with Memorial
day speeches and Fourth of July orations
in avtn Irpa ant nff fha rxyio i4oo
of the soldiers and sailors long enough
We want something more substantial.
THE law giving preference to soldiers
and sailors in government employment who
were discharged for disability (perhaps at
the very commencement of their term Of
servtce) and which excludes the veterans
who served from the firing of the first gun
on Fort Sumter until the last armed rebel
mad surrendered, Is not broad enough. We
want a law that will give preference in ap-
pointment. promotion and retention in Of
fee to the soldiers and sailors who are
qualified to perform the duties of the office
moved from Office without fair trial, with
penalty attached to the violation of that
law,
The Pension Laws.
eve want pension law that will not re-
ject the claim of worthy soldier because
his comrades who had knowledge of his
disability have died and he is unable to
ptONc origin OI ulSdDully. Justice TO the
soldiers and sailors who have refrained
from applying for pension until the present
day demands that II they were honorably
discharged and are now suffering from a
disability which incapacitates them from
earning living (Which disability is not
the result Of vicious habits, they should be
given pension equivalent to that allowed
a claimant who furnished the proof neces-
| sary to establish a claim under existing
laws.
at Is Disgrace to q nation to coo COL
der or sailor who was wounded in battle
In defense of his country separated from
his wife and sent to soldiers home, while
she Is left to toll for support.
THE Soldiers and Sailors Political
League is not intended as a new political
party. 1t has for its object the correction
Of wrongs imposed upon the soldiers and
sailors, their widows and orphans, by all
political parties, and to accomplish that
/ end we earnestly urge our comrades to
unite with us.
Headquarters Here.
'The National Council will always be at
the city of Washington, D. c., where the
national officers can have complete knowl
edge Of the action of members OF Con-
gress and the heads of the executive de-
partments and keep the subordinate coun-
cils IN the states and territories advised Of
such action.
1T is not the intention of the league to
have expensive encampments, costly uni
forms, frequent meetings, or eXorbita MT
dues.
Charters may be had upon application
of ten persons eligible to membership, ac-
companied by fee of s.. One dollar paid
annually In advance will admit an honor
ably discharged soldier or sailor, his son,
son-in-law, or grandson to membership
without any additional expense.
THE league does not intend to disturb
the Grand Army Of the Republic, the Union
Veterans Union, or any kindred soldiers
organization. Its object is to enroll every
honorably discharged soldier, sailor, or
marine who served in the army navy or
marine corps. whether In time of war or
peace in the United States or in a foreign
country, their sons, sons-in-law and grand
sons, into one organization. with full power
to participate in the selection and election
of officers, municipal, state and national,
who will do justice to the defenders Of our
country's flag
For information relative to the organi-
zation of councils and the necessary blank
forms address Captain c. M. Forest, cor
responding secretary, 6l2 F street north
Nos hi rfor r