The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-18

MASTER. CluC6 the last quarter ten Few p0SIS
have been mustered, with an aggregate member
ship of l7O, carrying the total membership of the
department to Is, 088. Relative to this Command
er Foster adds: mo special effort has been made
during the past year to increase the number of
posts in the department, and charters have been
granted only where the establishment Of new
posts seemed clearly for the best interests of the
order. The official report laid before the en-
campment last year showed 397 post actually or
gained. This number has been increased dur
ing my administration TO AL. Dedrcting the
posts dropped and disbanded during the year,
leaves now 4O3 in actual operation
Relative to department inspections, the COM
mander recommends the continuance of the
county system, and that, in order to obtain thor
ough work, the actual expenses of assistant in
spectors should be met; further, if national
headquarters offered no objection, that the Jan
uary inspection this year be accepted as the re-
port for the next National Encampment, and that
hereafter inspections be made at the end of the
year. for the reason that, when made in the
spring, it follows too closely a change OF o%f1cers
and prevents thorough preparation for the work.
Attention was called to the rapid decrease in
cnarter fees-running 5000 in 1S85-below 1884.
the loss in part counterbalanced by a closer col
lection of the percapita tax. A statement shows
cash On hand per last report, So. 453. 90, supplies
and property, $472.46; total, So. 925.4L Cash now
on hand. 81. 432. SO; supplies, ETC.. 1886 40; total,
$4,6o9.34. Increase for year, $763.93. In dis
cusslng this question the commander says:
Our order is probably at this time very near
It's maximum strength in this department. It is
well that in its prime it should accumulate a
fund for its declining years, which fund this en-
campment should sacredly guard, that our or
ganlzation may have something to sustain it
when its numbers in the department have dwin-
died. by death, to scarcely more than are assem-
bled here to-day.
II recommend that SO, 900 of the amount now
in the treasury be invested in Indiana State or
municipal bonds, or loaned upon first mortgage
security, the property on which any such loan is
nodn %A ka r-@-k1- --.1-s-- e
double the amount 80 loaned. An absolutely
safe Investment can be had which will pay not
less than . per cent. per annum, and quite a
handsome revenue will thus be secured to the
department."
Objection was raised to any decrease Of the
percapita tax of 5 cents per quarter, as it was
as low as the great States of New York aud
Pennsylvania, which had nearly double the In
diana membership, and there was still impor-
tant work to accomplish. In response to the cir
cular recommending contributions in aid Of the
Grant monumental funG, the commander re-
ported that sixty four posts had responded. with
a total of $597.4O, and concerning the Indiana
soldiers monument he reported that he had con-
tinued the same committee as last year, which
had made encouraging progress, ana the monu-
ment, as now agreed upon, if erected, would be
the most imposing in the West. and a source of
just pride to every citizen of Indiana.
Mrs. Alice E. Griffin, of Elkhart. as president
OF the Womans Relief Corps. was complimented
for her skillful administration, and twenty seven
relief corps were reported in active operation.
Kindly mention was also made of the Sons of
Veterans organization. and inasmuch as the
National Encampment had Endorsed the objects
OF the Union Veteran Army, he commended the
latter to favorable consideration Of all comrades.
Nine companies had already been organized, with
others in process of formation, with A. S. Helms,
OF Worthington. as commandments Con
corning the Soldiers Orphans Home, the com
mander is quoted in full.
"The last encampment continued the commit
1 tQa nf the npQvlAra war nnOn tho SclGiarc' and
Sailors Orphans Home. This committee consists
of Comrades Thomas Hanna, e. S. Robertson
and James 7. Johnston. Its report to this en-
| campment is awaited with interest.
IA visitrecenrly made to this institution, with
out previous appointment with the superintend.
ent, and, in fact, without his knowledge of my
official character, enabled me to give the man
agement a very thorough investigation. Several
hours were spent in the inspection of the differ
ent departments of the Home, and in interview
ing the inmates and teachers. AS a result of
my Investigations, / am led to cordially indorse
the present management. The superintendent,
Comrade Morris, impressed me as a large hearted
gentleman of much culture and good executive
ability, and seems thoroughly devoted to his
work and filled with q desire to conscientiousiy
perform every duty of his position, and make
the Home a success in every particular. I am
specially pleased to be able to thus report be-
cause of certain unfavorable rumors which had
: reached me.
'The State of Indiana is alone responsible for
the only Objectionable feature which remains
the presence In the same institution and under
the same roof OF the feebie-minded children Of
the State. These unfortunate children should
be the object of the tenderest care, and this can
| better be given them in an institution entirely
devoted to their welfare and instruction. Legis-
lators may call it sentiment, if they will, but /
do not believe our organization will cease it's
efforts to cause an entire and absolute separation
of the sons and daughters of our deceased sol,
diers from all association or connection with
| fhaca fnohln-Oniuda6 childrop until or.h aHo-fo
are crowned with complete success.
Proper mention is made of the last meeting Of
the National Encampment and of the'next, which
will be held at San Francisco, and the suggestion
followed that no comrade be selected as delegate
who did not pledge himself in advance to attend.
Concerning pension legislation no recommended
ton was made, but the fact was made prominent
that it had been "the aim of the organization to
present a solid front to the country and to Con-
gress upon matters of this character; rather than
to divide our strength by the advocacy of q num-
Der of propositions not altogether in harmony
with one another" The commanders own per-
s0nal feeling, however, was pointedly expressed
in saying, There is nothing on Gods green earth
too good for the needy or disabled veteran" and
he closes by saying. LAS brethren, let us reason
together, and whatever proves to be the calm
Judgment OF this encampment becomes to NE a
law in my capacity rs one of your representa-
tives in the National Encampment" The State
Soldiers Home is discussed at some length.
''There is no question remarks Commander Eos
ter. in which feel a deeper interest"
''There is no question in which 1 feel a deeper
interest than in the appropriation by the next
Indiana Legislature of a sum not less than $780,
900. for the purpose of purchasing a site and
erecting a State home for INDECENT and disabled
soldiers and sailors residing in this common
wealth. Notwithstanding the Grand Army of
the Republic seeks to keep every worthy old
soldier from experiencing the treatment shown
to common paupers. and being relegated to the
infrmaries of the State and maintained upon a
level with the numerous victims of vice and in
temperance which there abound, your com
mander is painfully conscious Of the fact that,
owing to the lack of necessary funds by the
posts of many localities, a large number of
worthy but disabled comrades have been thus
sent over the hills to the poor-house,' and are