Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-18
John R. King Of Washington, D. c.,
Named for Senior Vice Commander
Next Meeting at Denver.
,pccisl nI.patch to The Evening Star.

poses to discharge from the civil employ OF
the government all persons over seventy
years of age.
In the meantime the convention yesterday
afternoon called for the reports of all
standing and special committees. Under
this procedure Judge Ivory G.. Kimball OF
Washington stepped forward and read TO
the delegates the annual report of the COM
nittea on legislation for veterans in the
prblic service.
Judge Kimball is chairman of the COM
mittee the other members being Leo. Ras-
sieur. j. u. 8. Goblin. l.. G. Estes. F. u.
Hutteriield and John r. King. The report
OF this committee dealt almost wholly with
tho Gillett bill and the effect of its opera
ton. should it become a law. on the soldiers
of the Union army.
Urged Adoption of Resolutions.
The report concluded by recommending
that the encampment adopt resolution
urging that veterans of the war of the re-
bellion who fought to preserve the union
be exempted from the provisions OF the
proposed law.
The question being put as to the adoption
of the report brought the matter squareiy
before the encampment. and after a livery
debate of more than two hours the plan
proposed by the report was agreed to- and
the encampment committee on resolutions
was instructed to bring In a resolution re-
question that the veterans be excepted
Much Of the debate was ostensibiy upon
the technical points to whether or not
the report should be adopted or sent to the
committee on resolutions. which already
had In hand the matter OF an expression
of opinion on the proposed law. Delegates
from all over the country took part In the
discussion.
First Mr. s. f. Faunce of Washington
moved that the report lie upon the table
pending the report OF resolution from
the committee on resolutions. This motion
was amended by one suggesting that the
report be referred to the resolutions COM
mittee for its information and guidance in
preparing resolution. This plan was OPP
posed by other delegates. who thought
some action should be taken without de-
lay.
Conservative View Of the Matter.
Gen 5. s. Burdett Of Washington took a
conservative view of the matter. He
thought the Grand Army should go slow in
denounclng the government or Congress.
Representative Washington Gardner of
Michigan. who is a prominent member of
the G. A. r.. also counseled conservative
action. He did not think the Grand Army
should do nothing that might he consid-
cred an Interference with the operation of
the civil service law. He said that at best
the veterans in the service constituted but
a small percentage of the whole number
employed and that in shielding these others
who were perhaps not worthy of so much
consideration might also be shielded
The discussion ranged along until there
were loud cries for the question. Then
many delegates who wished to be heard on
the subject came to their feet. The chair
heard them all.
The outcome. as stated. was the adoption
OF the report and its recommendation for
the exception of civil war veterans from
the provisions of the proposed superannua-
ton act.
The report of the legislative committee,
as submitted by Judge Kimball. Is of mo-
mentous interest to the veterans of the
District of Columbia 1t states that by
direction of the cOmmander-in-chef the
committee did not take up any independ-
ent work before Congress at the last ses-
sion. as he believed Its efforts should be in
the direction OF assisting the committee on
pensions to secure the passage of the serv-
ice pension bill. The committee did all in
its power to this end. taking active charge
of the bill when members of the pension
committee were absent.
The Committees Report.
Continuing. the report reads: Your
committe believes the time to secure addi-
tonal legislation enlarging the preference
extended to comrades of the war of the
rebellion in appointments in the civil serv-
ice is passed and that Congress will not
enact any law granting the further pref
erence over younger and more vigorous
men than that now allowed.
AT the close of the last session of Con-
gress + H. Gillett of Massachusetts, intro
duced a bill to prevent approximation to
the public service and had it referred to the
committee on reform on the civil service, of
which he Is chairman. and two days there
after reported 1t back with the recommends
ton that the bill be passed.
This bill provides for the discharge on
June ~. 1907. of every person in the classi-
fled service of the United States who Is then
over seventy years of age. no exception be-
ing made in favor of our comrades. 1t is
believed that THU bill will not become a
law. If IL does pass 1t should be amended
to except from its operation veterans who
fought for the Union In the war of the re-
bellion.
We recommend the passage OF a resolu-
ton by this encampment urging such an
amendment. and that the incoming COM
mander-in- chief and the committee on legis-
lation for veterans In the public service be
directed to use all proper means in their
power to secure the exemption OF our COM
rades from the operation OF such law.
Veterans and Widows Employed.
There are now employed in the de-
partments at Washington. not counting
those employed elsewhere by appointment
under civil service law. the following: Com
rades and widows OF comrades above sixty
five years of age. 7s7; between hfty-eght
and sixty-five years. about 1883: over sew
enty years of age. 220: total comrades en-
ployed. 2.1I5; total widows OF comrades, 1873
On June 30 1907. at least 800 of our
comrades will have reached the age OF
seventy years. and II the Gillett bill be.
comes u law now reported will then be-
discharge each year thereafter. A large
number in addition will attain the forbid
den age. While at the age OF seventy a
man doubtless has physically deteriorateC
he has not In majority of cases deterior-
ated mentally.
The men today who are doing our bes
work In Congress, on the bench and al
the mental activities are those who have
passed their three score years and ten and
our comrades are no exception. An exam
ination Of the departments at Washington
VIII show that they are today the mos,
valuable clerks I'm the departments. that or
account OF their experience they cannot be
replaced by young men without detriment
to the service and that they occupy the
most responsible places.
But some of them have lost some OF
the mental powers. They should not be
discharged They offered their lives &c
save this nation. VIII the nation do tbis
act OF insratitude! No soldier of the wal
OF the rebellion should be discharged az
CONTEMPLATED In the Qillett hill