St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-25
SOLDIER AND SAILOR.
Report of the National Convention
Held at indianapolis Yes
terday.

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 24.-The national con-
vention of soldiers and sailors assembled here
this afternoon, in response to call issued
by Gen. E. W. Haskell and Gen. Merrill
Delegates were present representing about
/, 100 organizations. The object of the con-
vcntiou is to take action looking to securing
pensions for all soldiers and sailors of the
late war. Gen. j. r. Carnahau was elected
chairman and John O'Harrestv secretary.
The states were called showing delegates
present from New York, Massachusetts, Yer
mont, Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan,
Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Mis-
souri,, Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland
and the District of Columbia
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois were largely rep
resented. 1t was ordered that all resolutions
be referred to the committee on resolutions
without reading. Tue call for the conven
ton was then read and committee on
resolutions appointed The committee was
made to consist Of one member from each
state, with 5. 5. Burdettc, of the District of
Columbia, as chairman. The committee
retired to prepare its report, and the inter
vening time was occupied in listening to
committee returned the following resolutions
were read:
We, eX-soldiers and sailors Of the Union
army and navy in the war of the rebellion of
1S61-1S65, now in mass convention assem-
bled do now present TO our comrades and
our representatives in congress our
views and our desires on the question
of pensions. Believing that our comrades
who are now suffering from disease or wounds
are entitled to the kindest consideration at
the hands of congress, therefore be it
Res0leed, That we ask the following amend
| ments to the present pension laws:
First, that every person who has served in
the military or naval service of the United
States Tor the period of three months during
the war of the rebellion and has an honorable
discharge thcrefrom, and who is or shall be-
come disabled, and shall also be depend
ent upon his own labor for support, shall be
placed upon the list of pensioners of the
United States and be entitled to receive
pension during the continuance of such dis
ability at a rate proportionate to the degree
| thereof.
Second, that all widows or minor children
of soldiers and Sailors who as such are now
receiving under the existing laws the sum of
IS per month, be entitled to aud receive the
sum of S12 per month, and all such widows
or minor children who shall hereafter be
found to be entitled to the rate of IS per
month under the existing laws. shall be en-
| titled 10 and receive the rate of SO in lieu
of said rate of IS.
Third, that if any invalid pensioners have
died, or shall hereafter die, leaving a widow
or minor child under eight years of age,
both of such widows or minor children shall
be entitled in the order OF succession named
to the original pension in their own name,
| without being required to prove that the
death of such pensioner was due to his mill
| tary or naval service in the United States
Fourth. That pensions granted widows on
account of minor children shall be continued
without limit as to age, wherever it shall
appear that such minors are of unsound
mind or physique and helpless so as to rem
der them incapable of earning subsistence.
Fifth. That in considering the claims of
dependent parents the fact and cause OF
death and the fact that the soldier left no
widow or minor children having been shown,
it shall be necessary only to show that such
dependent parent is without other present
means of comfortable support than his or
her own manual labor.
Sixth. That in all applications where it
appears that the applicant was regularly en-
listed and mustered into the service,
that act shall be prima facia
evidence of the soundness of
the time of his enlistment, but such pre-
sumption shall be subject to rebuttal by the
record or other competent evidence.
Believing that the foregoing braces only
just and equitable demands of the veterans
of the late war, and as all legislation to this
end must depend upon the active co-opera-
ton of the legislatures and the officials of the
country, we earnestly urge upon the soldiers
and sailors of the war against the rebellion
to give their support at the polls to only such
candidates as are, and ever has been in IA
vor of such just legislation in the interest of
the men who stood in defense of the country
in its hour of need.
The resolutions were unimously adopted
and Mr.. Burdette, chairman of the commit
tee, instructed to bring the matter to the at
tention of congress. Adjourned.