Year: 1874




mine this question. not the impractica


BILE distractions of designing dema


gogues.


Capt. George D. Hill.
1t IL significant commentary upoz
the patriotism and loyalty to the Unior
Of the opposition to the Republican
county ticket. that every personal A.


sault upon that ticket, thus far. ha'


been exclusively aimed at Capt. Georgs
D. Hill, the candidate for Treasurer.


retired army officer. whose gallant and
courteous bearing and unsullied honol
commend him to the respect Of all who
can appreciate those qualities, as tiue
gentleman and soldier, while his empty
coat sleeve attests the character of his
patriotism and devotion to the Union
What has he done, and who has he Of
Tended that he should be thus selected
as the object of special denunciation
Always courteous and strictly regardful
of the rights and feelings of others in all
his social intercourse; always recognize
ing in its broadest sense the equal rights
of all; never assuming airs of superiori-
ty over the humblest citizen who walks
the streets; it is impossible that there
should be anything in his acts or de-
pertinent in the private walks of life to
urnish any reasonable ground of offence
to any. The conclusion is, then. logic
ally certain, that he is hated and as
sailed for those very acts and qualities
which command the respect and admira-
ton of brave and honorable public enc
mics and enlist the warmest sympathies
of all true patriots. Has it come to this
that the citizens of King county, and
especially that portion Of them who dis
played their patriotism during the wal
only in empty vauntinss and denuncia-
tions of neutrality-suspicious." now de-
sire to stultify their former professions
by assailing with contumely and cover
ing with defeat, a soldier of the Union
army, for no other reason than that he
served through the war and was disabled
for life in defending the flag of his coun'
try? That is the only Interpretation
which by any reasonable construction
can be put upon the utterances of the
lntcligencer on this subject.


The first assault upon Capt. Hill'cov-
cred under the cowardly subterfuge Of
inuendo, is as follows:


THAT the political influence exerted
by one man to secure an appointment
for another abroad when unsuccessful at
home, gives him. per Sc, no claim upon
the suffrages of the people. That the
claim upon the people should rest upon
merit and peculiar qualification. and
not upon incompetency 10 earn an
equally respectable livelihood for him
self and his own effort"


The charge embraced in this inuendo
is, when plainly stated, that Capt. Hill
used his influence with the Collector of
Customs to procure q subordinate ap-
pointment for Major Blake, q compan-
ion in arms, who like himself. had served
as q Union soldier, through the war,
and had been defeated for City Office
by q man whose chief claim for Office
was uncompromising hostility to the Ad-
throughout the war. We
too, were opposed to the civil policy Of
the Administration during the war,
but never, under any circumstances.
failed to yield our full tribute Of respect
to the men who fought the battles and
the restoration of the Union.
If there is one act Of meaness and
treachery more deserving Of the e1ecra-
ton of mankind than any other, it Is
the heartless ingratitude exhibited by
nousing politicians generally. towards
the disabled soldiers Of the late war;
who upon nearly al occasions Of the
distribution of public Offices are pushed
aside for those who did party service in
civil life. In the present instance, no
one will deny that Capt. Hill has every
business qualification requisite for q
proper discharge Of the duties Of his Of
fee; but it is assumed that he has nc
claims to the position on account of par.
ty services.


The second attack upon Capt. Hill il
intended to cheat him out of the popu-


lar suffrage by trying to make it appea,


to the people that he is legally disquali.
fed for holding civil Office on accoun,


of his connection with the army. To


prove this, quotations are made from


the Organic Law of the Territory and q


Territorial law, both of which prohibit.


cd army oficers.from holding civil Office


At that time there was no retired list


and hence these laws only applied te


officers in active service, and were com
mon to all the States and Territories.


subsequent act Of Congress. adapted


to the present condition of the army


was passed in 1871. and takes prece.


dence Of all previous acts on that sub
ject. Section 18 of that act says:
"That it shall not be lawful for any
officer of the army of the United States
on the dctiue list, to hold any civil Office


whether by election or appointment
and any such officer accepting or exer.
cising the functions of civil office shal
at once cease to be an officer of the ar


my, and his commission shall be vacated


thereby"


Officers on the retired list are holdinf


civil offices. both by appointment ani


election. As instances of the recogni


ton of this modification of the old Law


we may mention the appointment o
Gen. Sickles as Minister to Spain, Gen
Badeau - Consul to London, and th,
election Of Capt. Hayes, formerly o