The Honesdale citizen. [volume] (Honesdale, Pa.) 1873-1908, 1908-07-02


from Office Of all connected with political
machines. But whatever the motive for
the appointment, the result vindieHted
the Presidents judgment; for In the
practical management Of treasury AZ
fairs Mr.. Manning proved one OF the
most competent and successful men who
had ever held the position.
Augustus II. Garland, OF Arkansas,
was appointed Attorney General. He
had been q member Of the State Conven-
tion that adopted the ordinance OF seOes-
sion. In 1861, and during the war had
served In the Confederate Congress.
Another cabinet appointment was
that Of Luoius Y. @. Lamar. Of Mississip-
pi. as Secretary OF the Interior. Mr.. La
and after being disabled by wound was
employed in the Confederate diplomatic
service. To place an ex- Confederate In
the cabinet was an act that naturally
aroused criticism, and this WAS accent
uAted by the circumstance that the
Pension Bureau was included iD the In-
terror Department fU-vall No ex-Con-
federAte to decide on the claims OF Union
E6idIefsep pensions seemed to give pc
culinr enphnsIS to the boast that 1.-THE
South lie nQ1fn the saddle - and had
this been pzedioted at the time OF Lees
surrender, 1t would have been regarded
as the prophecy OF q lunstic.
The administration OF the Pension
Bureau soon exhibited greater strictness
Ia the conditions required to establish
pensionable disability, and the belief
grew throughout the North that this
was due to feeling OF hostility toward
Union soldiers. One instance, especial
iy. provoked much hostile comment.
During the war, VIM. Hedgspeth, OF
the 42d Indiana Volunteers, was taken
prisoner. After a confinement OF fivs
months 10 the prison pen at Anderson
vile, he enlisted Ia the Coufederst.,
| army, with the Intention, which he made
known 70 some Of his fellow prisoners.
OF escaping into the Union lines as soon
as possible. He succeeded 10 this, re-
Joined his regiment, served out his term
Of enlistment, and WAS hOnorably dis
charged. About the time OF Cleveland
| election, he applied for n pension for a
disability contracted in the Uaion ser
Woe, and made full proof OF the requisite
facts. But under the new admiuistra-
ticn OF the pension Office he WAS con-
fronted with q clause OF the law forbid
ding pension to any person who 10
any manner voluntarily engaged in, aid
ed, or abetted, the late rebellion against
the authority Of the United Stater." The
claimant contended, however, that his
enlistment In the Confederate army was
| only method OF escaping from imprie
ohment and rejoining his command, and
therefore could not be regarded as vol
untary, within the meaning, spirit and
The qaestion made deadlock among
officials OF the Pension Bureau, In which
opinions on both sides were given. Be
Ing finally referred to Secretary Lamar,
he held to the strict letter OF the law
and decided against the claim. The
largely pFeponderant opinion among the
peopls, respecting this decision, was
that the pension was refused by the ex-
Confederate Secretary, not because the
oiaimsnt had entered the Confederate
service. but as n punishment -10f haSing
deserted from it.
The infuenee>6n the popular ,4tnd OF
theafRorOus administration Of the pen
sion law was intensified by President
ClevelAnd's amazing want Of tact, to say
the least, In dealing With matters invol-
wing public sentiment IN relation to the
war by which the UDion had been pre-
served. As one instance OF this, instead
OF taking part In the Observance OF
Memorial Day, be selected that day for
fishing excursion. AZ another, he
issued an order, through the Secretary
OF War, directing the return to the
Southern States OF the Confederate bat.
tie fags captured during the war, and
kept 10 the Ordnance Museum. The re-
sentiment aroused by this order, how
eve, was suoh that he speedily rescind-
el 1t. Shortly after this, he recalled his
acceptance, previously given, OF an in
vitation to attend the National Enoarnp-
msnt OF the q. A. K. at st. Louis for
the reason. as explained In a letter to
the Mayor OF st. Louis, that the veter-
ans had indulged in too much criticism
Of some OF bis official acts. In the mat
ter Of the Confederate flags, the prompt
and patriotic response OF the South to
the call for service, In the war with
Spain and in the Philippines, brought
about such O change In public sentiment
that their recent return, by order OF
President Roosevelt, met with geu eral
approval.
IG addition TO incidents OF this char
Arter, the animus Of tn President, in re
iation to the Union veteran was shown
in other acts. He vetoed 297 private
pension bills; and as these had been ap-
proved by Democratic House, CON
troiled by the South, he was charged
with being more Confederate than the
sI -Confederstes who were VI hing to pen
sion the men whom they had fought
Among the bills vetoed WAS one giving
pension OF $50 month to the widow of
ten. David Hunter, who was practically
destitute. Gen. Hunter had been Presi-
dent OF the court martial which convict
cd Gen. FItz John Porter of disobedence
OF orders at the battle OF Grovstou, Va,
Aug. 20, 1862, the Gndings of which were
approved By President Lincoln, aud Por.
ter was dismissed the service. In 1884. "a
bill to reinstste Gen. Porter, passed by
Congress, WAS vetoed by President Ar |
thur, on the ground that und er Il recent
decision Of the U, B. Supreme Court
Congress had no power to act in the |
premises. On the other hand, Mr.. Cleve
land approved bill giving pension Of
$50 n menth to the widow OF Gen. Dur
bin Ward, noted Democratic politician
Of Ohio, and another giving pension of
$4,000 a year to the widow OF Gen. Han.
cock, who had been the Democratic can
didate for President In 1880, though the
reasons given for disapproving the pen
sion to Mrs. Hunter applied with equal
force to all three cases. Very naturally, |
the Impression was made that the dis.
arfmina fInu anaiuaf Mra uu,,ta. -, \ |