Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-29

out the local press discovering their pres
ence in the city seemed incredible, and no
where was the publication a fresher news
| item than right here at home. An lnves.
tlgatlcn today shows that less than sixty
Democratic veterans held quiet meeting
at the rooms of the adjutant general last
night and discussed the subject of with
drawing from the Grand Army of the Re
| public on alleged political grounds. Colo
| mel j. n. Walker, assistant adjutant
| general of the Grand Army of the
Republic, department of Indiana,
and the executive officer of the order IN
this state, in an interview tonight 18th an
Associated Press representative requested
that a correction of the publication should
be offered the press. He states that no APP
pllcatlOn for withdrawal of mem bershlp
from the Grand Army Republic has been
made to him and that he is the officer to
whom such applications must come. That
so far from the Indiana department de-
creasing 10 membership the applications
Tor permits for special musterS to initiate
new members have doubled within the
past two weeks: that during the late cam
paign the membership Increased 300 in the
very heat of contest and that the roll just
returned for the last quarter shows mem
bership of over $4,000. If any disatfection
is threatened for supposed political or
other causes, Colonel Walker says neither
eral A ID. Vanersdel, are aware Of that
fact. Members can withdraw in good
standing at any time by paying their dues
and requesting a discharge. Colonel
Walker admitted it was possible that Adj
jutant-Geueral koontz and small num-
Der of other Democratic veterans imagine
they had grievance, but denied emphat-
ically that the G. A. r. had in any way
been turned into political machine
and the visit of the veterans here during
the campaign was not a manifestation OF
of their political views. He further stated
he was in receipt of number OF letters
today from Democratic veterans stating
that they had no intention of withdraw
ing; that they had no complaints political
or otherwise. Colonel Walker and other
leading Grand Army of the Republic men
do not believe that Colonel Matson, the
late Democratic candidate for governor, is
in any way cOuntenanciug or aiding any
move to divide the veterans on political
grounds.
THE SIZE OF THE REVOLT.
A meeting was held tonight at the
Hendricks club rooms by some three score
Democratic Grand Army of the Republic
veterans at which an organization was
perfected known as the Democratic Sol
dlers and Sailors Veteran association of
Indiana. This organization is the result
of what has been termed the revolt against
the Grand Army of the Republic The
object of the new association is set forth
IL the following preamble to their conSti-
tuition and bylaws:
The purpose CT this association shall be
to incuicate the true principles OF patriot
ism, love of country and to foster and
maintain true Democratic principles in the
of the government, both
state and national, and secure a pure,
simple and efficient administration of the
same and to resist with ali our might any
and every encroachment upon the consti-
tuUional rights and liberties of the people;
to preserve and strengthen those kind and
feelings which should bind to-
gether those who, as soldiers, sailors
and marines, united to suppress
the rebellion and to perpetuate the
and history of the dead; to aid in
every possible way all persons who have
been honorably discharged from the mill
tary and naval service Of the United
States; to secure for them preferment and
promotion n civil service. etc.
After the adoption OF the constitution |
the following officers were elected: Presi |
dent, L. K. A Taylor; secretary, w. G. |
treasurer, l.. c. Daniels; vice |
president, Samuel C. Green.
Under the constitution the entire man. |
agement of the association is placed in the |
hands of and executive board. Geo w. !
koontz was elected chairman and given |
power to appoint the other members of |
the board, which he will DO by naming |
0ne man from each congressional district |
and two from the state at large at the !
DeXt meeting.