Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-22
continued From Seventh page)

believe II can be easily proven that II
has passed regulations In contraven'
ton of federal statutes and in viola
ton OF the Constitution. The organic
laws OF the land provide that soldiers,
upon the proof of qualifications speci-
ned, shall have title to pension.
Another statute provides that hon
orably discharged and disabled sol
diers OF the Civil war and Spanish
American war shall be permitted 10
enter the national military homes. so
that disability and age give title 10
pension. and service and disability con
stitute a qualification for membership
in the soldiers homes.
Under date of July 20, 1909, the
board of managers issued orders that
any soldier who was receiving SIC per
month pension. or more, should either
turn the excess over to the treasury
of the home or give up his member
ship. This regulation clearly conflict
ed with the law which gave the sol
oier the title to pension and the act
which entitled him TO membership in
the home. Under this order his right
to membership in the home was called
lutO UutStiOU Wy INC aHsVtht " -
sion which he was drawing, and his
tight to retain the pension allowed
him under the law was called into
question by his being member OF the
home.
i had the honor very soon after this
TO Introduce a privileged resolution
into Congress calling the attention OF
the country 10 this infamous proceed
ure. Inside of sixty days II was with
drawn. However, over 200 soldiers III
the DAYTON home alone left the gates
of that institution embittered and dis
snsted.
soon after this order was resclnded
the famous order suspending admis-
sions was promulgated, and these zoo
men were unable to regain their
places in that institution, notwith-
standing they had been deprived OF
their home through the issuance OF an
illegal order by the board of mana
gers. Following this. the administra-
lion apparently was not only resentful
in It's feelings toward the soldiers, but
this spiteful spirit extended TO Con
gress also. II was not long dter that
Al veteran in one OF the homes called
vi u mtmDCt VI NOhbat.'o AAOh' N'-N-N
district and stated tina; he desired TO
withdraw his membership. and asked
the representative to procure for him
.is papers at the home. The congress
man sent TO the governor this very
courteous note:
MY Dear Governor: Moncure X.
Thompson, late of Company +, Fiji
tieth Pennsylvania Infantry, desires
to take his papers from the home. Is A.,
there any reason why his wishes
should not be complied WITH"
Under date of December 6, 1909,
general order was issued. proclaiming
that "Moncure X. Thompson, a MEM
her Of the Dayton Home, had been
dropped from the rolls of the institu-
ton for demanding his papers through
a congressman while absent without
leave"
II Is significant, also. to observe
that this order was issued on lin
structions from the president OF the
board of managers
I want to submit now to this House
and 10 the country whether these he
roes of the nation are to be deprived
of the right of petition conveyed by
the bill OF rights in the Constitution?
This is not only a clear violation OF
the Federal Charter. but it Is an inso-
lent trespass by coterie o. despo,s
On the personal liberties of men whose
rights, above all other persons, should
be preserved by this government. The
right of petition has never yet been
questioned. and | cite this circum-
stance as the first instance in the
history of our Republic Of a govern