The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-19
The Veterans Indorse the Johnston Universal
Pension Bill with Practical Unanimity,
After Making Slight Amendments.
Thos. W. Bennett, of Richmond, Elected
to Succeed Commander Foster.
Resolutions Adopted Demanding the Estab-
lishment of Separate Home for Soldiers
Orphans-The Women's Relief Corps.


The interest in the proceedings of the g. A.
r. encampment was undated yesterday. The
same spirit of enthusiasm characterized them as
on the first day. and although the last hours of
business were at hand, delegates remained faith
full to their duties. About the hall and in the
Hobbies was very large attendance Of specta-
tors, and sometimes their interest in whatever
came before the body was so great that not in
frequently they were reminded that delegates
only had right to vote. SIT is the best en-
campment we ever held, "said veteran, as he
went down stairs after adjournment last evening
'Yes, have never seen snything like the in
terest manifested here. It will be of great ben
eft to the order and we can count on great in
crease in membership the coming year." was the
reply.
It seemed hard for the old boys TO let 60 Of
the chance of being together once more, and al
though at times the order Of business was irk
some, they chung to it with the tenacity that
enabled them, years ago. to accomplish harder
and severer tasks. The campfire of the night
before had an enlivening effect. and yesterday
morning when they began the call Of business
the veterans were as fresh as if they had not
been twenty-four hours tied to the demands of
the order or legislating for its good or enjoying
the Inequalities of the time. The first thing
that demanded the attention of the encampment
on reassembling was the following resolution, re-
ported from the regular committee having such
papers in charge:
Resolved, That it Is the sense Of this department
that the Grand Army of the Republic, being in no
a political organization and being in favor of
a we
hea ty opposed to the practice Of using corpora
tive power as posts, for the purpose of boycottng
any person, paper party who may differ from US in
opinions on any subject.
It did not take the encampment long to ex-
press it's favor by adopting the resolution unani-
mously. Connected with this subject was the
resolution of the Gordon Post. of this city, boy
cotting the Indianapolis News. It had been re-
ferred to the same committee who reported it
back with a recommendation to lay the boycott
ing resolution on the table. A discussion of
some warmth followed, but the resolution went
back to the committee, who afterwards reported
ore Of simple censure, which was adopted. It
read:
Resolved That we condemn the recent utterance of
the indianapolis News in its article against the PEN
sionng OF soldiers unjust, and grossly misrepre-
senting the truth.
Through the same committee the question of
universal pensions was brought before the en-
campment on the assurance that no agreement
could be had as to what action might be taken.
What is known as the Johnston bill, pending in
Congress, thus coming before the encampment,
motion was made to strike out its fourth
clause, which reads:
Section A.. That all honorably discharged officers,
soldiers sailors and marines, their widows, or
phans dependant relatives who are entitled to O.
pension by virtue of this act and have heretofore
applied for pension shall be granted pension dat
ing from said application
Comrade Power, of Terre Haute talked Wig
orously against such action, aud as it was ap
parent the discussion would grow into hours if
not checked it was decided to limit all speeches
to three minutes. Comrade Hadley, Of Dan
ville did not want any restrictions attend
ing requests for pensions, and Comrade
Sears, of Eugene, moved to lay the mo-
ton on the table, which prevailed bv
large majority After this an amendment
OF the clause was effected by striking out the
word limitation" and inserting discharge"
Comrade Black told the encampnlent that he did
not think universal pension law could be made
practicable, and moreover, he believed Congress
would refuse to pass any law of that kind How
ever the majority Of his hearers did not take
kindly to such predictions, and motion followed
WOGlOu With SUCH rdplOlCy JQ6C Tor q time 1t
seemed impossible TO get the encampment back
to a clear understanding of the position, but
Commander Foster managed it with experiences.
The bill with the fourth clause amended SO as to
read ''All honorably discharged soldiers
who are entitled to pension by reason of dis
ability" was finally approved.
Memorial resolutions were passed in relation
to the late j. b. Hagar, Of Terre Haute follow
ing which the encampment adopted resolutions
complimenting the administration of Commander
ndnC oh NS|r&v~ "A IT, r.
reported the following in reference to the Sol
diers' Orphans Home:
Resolved That we believe the Soldiers and Sailors,
Orphans Home of this State should be hereafter es
tablished and supported independent institution
and that it is the duty of the next Legislature pro
vide for the removal of the asylum of the feeble
minded children from the grounds and buildings of
the Soldiers and Searnen's Orphans Home, into
which it has been improperly thrust AND it is fur
.nst s.s suvy or al members OF THE araer u, '' iof
s. oheers as will secure the nronaf legislation to
accompl.--- a01s END.
1t was adopted without discussion
FoAoWlng this came complimentary Tesolu
tons relative to the reports of the A. 4. g.. A
" M ana medical director, and also resolutions
requesting the Commissioner of Pensions m rar
ognize the medical director of this dsns,sment
and answer all questions he may ask Concerning
pension claims. The latter resolution also con-
tanned a recommendation that medical
directors OF tho g. A. r. be admitted
also that post surgeons of the G. A. r.. be- IA.
lected from professional doctors in ali casas
where it Is possible to do so. All of the resolu.
tions named were adopted without debate. The
question of mileage and per diem for encamr.
ment delegates was referred to the council Of
administration, with the request that it be CON
sidered by the various posts with Instructions 70
report conclusions to headquarters during the
year. Ihe encampment then adjourned until j |
o'clock.
The afternoon session began with the adoption |
OF the suggestion that the National Encampment |
Of 1887 be held in Nashville, Tenn
Comrade Mcdonald then introduced resolu- |
tons as follows:
Resolved that 1t is the sense of this denartr,an+
that statutes of the United States giving preference
to Union soldiers, other things being enuai to an
letter and spirit. - 'N0
hesolved that the Indiana representatives in Con.