The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-17
ing of one member from each congressional dis
trict, was appointed by the Chairman, as fol-

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Second-James II. Welton, of Knox county.
Third-E. I. Leach, of Clark county.
FOURTH. B.. Lewis, of Jay county.
Fifth-G. NJ. Overstreet, of johnson county.
| h-W Gross, of Henry county.
Seventh s. Makepeace, of Madison county.
Eighth-W. r. Null. of Parke county.
Ninth-oseph G. Suit, of Clinton county.
Eleventh-John B. Schooler. of Wabash county.
Twelfth-P. 2. Minor. of LaGrange county.
Ihirteenth-C. f. Mosier. of Elkhart county.
The secretary read a telegram from E. B. Lor-
ing, stating Massachusetts and Maine have
Endorsed the eight-dollar bill and have instructed
delegates to work for the same"
A resolution was introduced by Captain
OHover, a pronounced opponent of universal
pensioning, providing that ''as soldiers had been
paid in deprecated currency. Congress be re-
quested 20 reimburse the difference and that
lin an application for a pension the fact OF the
enrolment shall be considered as prima facie evil
dence of physical sonndness at that time
The bill embodying the demands of the local
organizations in the movement, which Congress
man Johnston will endeayor to get passed. was
read to the convention by Secretary Powers. Its
provisions are as follows:
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled. That the Secretary of the Inte-
rior be. and he is hereby authorized and directed to
place on the pension roll the name of all surviving of
fcers, soldiers, sailors and marines, who served in
the army or navy of the United States for a period OF
not less than sixty days, or who were disabled in the
line of duty, between March 4, 1861, and July /,
1865, and who were honorably discharged therefron,
and all said officers, soldiers. sailors and marines,
when so placed on said roll shall receive a pension of
So per month during their lives. And all officers, sol
diers, sailors and marines now legally borne on the
rolls as pensioners at q rating of less than SO per
month. shall. from the taking effect of this act, be ad.
vanced to the rating OF IS per month. but this act
shall not be construed so as to change the rating of
pensioners now on the rolls at a higher rating for a
disability, as now provided by law.
Sec. 2. That all widows of officers, soldiers, sail
ceive a pension at the rate Of SO per month during
their lives or widowhood, and the minor children OF
all officers, soldiers, sailors and marines who are enti-
tied to a pension under this act, shalt receive a pen.
sion OF 20 per month up to and including the age OF
sixteen years.
Sec. s.. That all minor children who shall be en-.
titled to a pension under this act shall be continued
without limit as to age, whenever it shall appear that
such minors are of unsound mind Or physically dis
abled from earning a subsistence, said pension to be
paid to a duly constituted guardian.
Sec. A.. That ell h~onorably discharged officers. sol
diers. sailors and marines, or their widows, orphans
| or dependent relatives, who are entitled to a pension
by virtue of this act, and have heretofore applied for
a pension, shall be granted a pension dating from said
application:
The objection was raised that there was an
inconsistency in making the pension of a soldier
So a month and allowing his widow $l2 a month
after his death. but this was effectually disposed
of by General Bennett declaring that TT is all
right. The widow is entitled to the most"
Captain Power explained that the bill would
not have the effect to repeal any law in relation
to pensions now in existence. Congressman
Johnston, who Is a good lawyer, had carefully
examined the measure, and, according to his
Interpretation. 1t would not have the effect to
reduce the pension of any soldier who is now
receiving more than % a month. but will raise
all lower to that sum.
Mai. O. NJ. Wilson thought there was a great
difference between sixty days and three years in
the war, and moved an amendment, providing
that pensions should only be allowed those who
had been in the service at least one year.
1t was suggested that Col. Ellsworth had been
l rsi1nd M <hn Hrcf ~rv &c hs1 4~A M
number Of days that a man was likely to be COM
PEELED to face the mouth of a cannon was not a
matter which should receive more consideration
than the manifest will of the man to take such
risks.
General Bennett remarked that if the conven-
ton should go into the discussion of technical
ties there would probably be no agreement on
anything. The thing for the convention to do
was to agree on the grand idea" and leave to
lawyers the discussion of the details.
In response to an invitation from the chair
man, Gen. William Gross appeared before the
convention and delivered a short address. He
suggested that the convention could only do its
work generally and not specifically. wears
ago." he said. when you and / started off for
the South to fight for our flag, our fellow-citi.
zens patted US on the back and promised to take
care Of our families during our absence. We
did our duty, and now we hope that they will
discharge their debt, but We are sorry that we
have to prompt it | am glad to see before me
faces that give evidence that they mean some
thing in coming together here to-day. We have
met to demand that our lawmakers shall pay
their bond. A few days ago I saw a man
who was o soldier at Chattanooga, saving wood
for a dollar a day, and on this ne is compelled to
support a family. (Cries of shame! shame!)
This government owes that wood-sawyer a better
living. l hope that in the next campaign you
will impress on the minds of the men who go to
the Legislature that they must elect a United
States Senator who will pledge himself to do
what he can to secure the enactment of this law.
/ am in favor also of the repeal of that provision
of the law requiring that an applicant for pen
sion shall show that he was an able. bodied man
when mustered. would suggest that we have
no discussion on this measure. but agree
on the general idea Of the bill. When it gets to
Washington it will pass into the hands of law.
yers. and l hope that it will be referred to a COM
mittee of soldiers. / would have no objection
to a Congress of Union soldiers passing ii. We
want the law-making power to understand that
we are in earnest in demanding the enactment of
this bill. L want you to count me in with You in
your work. until you accomplish your purpose"
There was a general call for the question at
the conclusion Of General CROSS remarks, and
when put to a vote the bill was Endorsed by a
loudly-unanimous 'aye," and General Bennett
announced, 'sthis bill is adopted unanimously as
expressing the sentiment of the soldiers present
at this meeting"
1t was announced that letters had been re-
ceived from several of the Indiana Representa-
tives in Congress promising to support the bill,
but there had been no response from Congress-
man Matson to several letters that had been
written him. He is the chairman of the COM
mittee or pensions. His constituents were urged
to write to him, and ii they failed to receive
satisfactory answers, to organize a strong oppo-
sition to MIN in his district. I'VE will 20 down
there and defeat him." declared the speaker.
The executive committee requested ali soldiers
to write to their Representatives in Congress,
urging support of the universal pension bill.
It was stated that an effort would be
made to get the Grand Army of the Republic, at
its encampment to-day, to indorse the measure.
The secretary Of the convention was directed
to respond to the kilograms which had been re-
ceived, and to notify the Grand Army encamp-
ment. in session at Springfield, of the action
taken by the convention.
The secretary suggested that money would be
required to carry on the work Of the executive
committee, and asked for liberal contributions,
stating that inward of $40. 900 would be needed