The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-11

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
The Coming Encampment-Points from Com
mander Fosters Annual Report.
pecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
FoRT WAYNE, Feb. 10.-Department Com
mander David N Foster. Grand Army OF the
Republic, is busily engaged in compiling his an
nual report, to be submitted at the next State
encampment, to be held at the Masonic Temple,
Indianapolis, on the 18th and 18th of February,
inst. The encampment promises to be the
largest and most important in the history of the
department.. and the report of the retiring COM
mander will be found to contain an exhaustive
discussion of the affairs of the order in Indiana
its past record and growth, its relations to inn
portant political questions together with some
recommendations Of unusual interest and value
to the general public, as well as to the Grand
Army.
The work of the department in the past year
has been largely in the way Of pruning ripening
and solidifyine the growth already made under
previous administrations. There are now in
good standing in the department over $4,000
members. The last post mustered is numbered
491. Thirty-fve new posts have been estab-
lished in 1885. and not single post is delinquent
in dues to the quartermastera condition Of
affairs never before attained.
The question of the pensionipg of all Union
soldiers will come up before the encampment for
an interesting discussion, and an effort will be
made to unite policy to be presented to the
national encampment which convenes at San
Frapcsco on Aug. g. next Fully 800 regular
representatives are expected at the department
encampment, and among prominent members
Of other departments who will make addresses
is Corporal James Tanner, Of New York, who
will speak at the campfire on the 18th inst. He
is noted as one of the most brilliant orators in
the Grand Army. and his presence will be par
ticuiarly interesting from the fact that he is
prominent among the candidates for the position
of national commander, to succeed Hon. s. s.
Burdett Of Washington, d. C.
A feature of the report that is of particular
interest is Commander Fosters discussion of the
matter of she establishment of Soldiers Home
In this State. On this topic Commander Foster 8
report says
There is no question in which feel deeper
interest than in the appropriation by the next
Indiana Legislature OF q sum. not less than
$500 0OO for the purpose of purchasing site and
erecting 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 q
level with the numerous victims OF vice and in
temperance your Commander is painfully con-
scious of the fact that owing to the lack Of nee
essary funds by the posts of many localities. a
large number of worthy and disabled comrades
have been thus sent over the hills to the poor
house. and are to-day thus maintained. 1t is
not a spectacle of which the citizens of Indiana
need to boast 1t Is not q sight which inculcates
loyalty, love of country and devotion to the flag
IN the rising generation. It is q wrong so great
that it can best be characterized as an unspeak-
able outrage which calls for immediate and per-
sistent action, not alone on our part, but on the
part of every loyal citizen of this great and
wealthy State.
II recommend that the incoming department
commander be instructed to appoint committee
OF i've comrades which shall take immediate
steps to properly place this matter before our
next Legislature. This committee should pro-
cure the Endorsement Of the project by each
State political convention, and should also inter-
rogate every candidate of all parties as soon as
such candidate has been nominated for seat in
either house. The actual expenses of such COM
mittee should be paid from the department treas
ury. The Grand Army of the Republic carefully
abstains from partisan politics, but as an indi-
vidual member Of the order, and although
strongly grounded in my political convictions, I
desire to have it distinctly understood that the
candidate OF no party can have my vote for n
seat In the next Legislature who will not in ad-
vance pledge himself to this matter
An examination Of the statistical matters en-
: bodied IN the report shows that there have been
i6I deaths in the department in 1885. but not
~ithstanding this mortality the membership has
increased during the year 200.