Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-12-21
NOT A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
Or. Hanralan Of Rutland Discusses the
Grand Army Question at Length.


From the TelesrHm.l
A representative of the 7r'cgrdDt called
upon our genial tOwnsman, DR.. J. ID. Han
rahan, at his spacious office rooms in the
Richardson building on Center street, and
secured the following interview with regard
to the proposed breaking up of the G. A, II.
The doctor is widely known as staunch
democrat, and has been repeatedly honorcd
by his party. lie pridCs himself in having
been one of the boys that wore the ''bue,'
has been an active member Of Post Roberts,
&. 4. r.. and a most thorough friend to
every man. black or white who can show
credentials as Union soldier
Reporter take it for granted, doctor,
that the proposed break in the q. a. X. has
attracted more or less Of your attention.
VIII You say for publication what your
opinion of the proposed movement is or, i'll
words, has the G.. \. r. been managed in
such faulty manner as TO Justify the pro
posed break in the organization
Dr. Hanrahan-I might first say in gen
era way in answer to your question, that
have been identified with the &. n. Il.
since its organization. Was once elected
by the department. of New Jersey to the
National cucampmcnt and neither in New
Jersey or Vermont have | ever known a
member Of the G. A. Il. to he 'sat upon"
because of his politics. | can say, and
speak dispas,ionatcly and without prejudice
that | consider the action of Gen. John Nj.
| Palmer as of a childish character. | think
he was politically whipped on the square,
and got his back up against the G.. \. r.,
! while smarting under defeat In the last
national election it is my Judgment that
the soldier vote OF the nation was the vote
| that defeated Mr. Cleveland, and [ believe
| fully rs firmly that they dld their WORK as
| citizens al the poilS uillh',"'n'V' ny any a.
ton whatever ON the part OF the H. \. h
| depiore That there eNis'S even Suspicion
that the q. y k. was III any sense USED as
| a poltlcal machine, ror some l'lle peIo'e
| the recent ele'uoh was aiP''heIiSlNe tnd'
the soldier vote would t'e inc uleanS o. ue-
featlnS PRESIDENT Cleveland MS 'h'sh
say, was my reason lor e@ pressing II uoSiIe
IN the democratic nauohal convention al 81
| LOUIS 'llaU wen KNOWN ou'"h '"rtiei NC
given secons pace ON Tue "ei'lo'i"tic ma
tonal ticket. Eeherai bIack wa, my cholre
rs he was ot lar9e huil"er O. 'ilIon vet
Grams IN ana outside OF the ia'lohal c"nFch-
| tlon. GOV. tray was IaIEelS supported ny
his own state ana the soldlet element "ould
gladly nave unite" on ellner Oh 'll'se Saii',hI
soldiers but the southern delegates alueu
Eo,l, dofoofod o,,,. wishes and ser,,re1 fine
ror,irotio, If Jrlao Thurman There is no
ono in mi. nation that I'm, more reepcct for
fine nobln qualities of .Judce Thurman than
rv.nlf but did NOT consider, it. GOOD poli-
ties TO nominate NM ~ my J"'EiH'n'
that with zen. Black or roV' tray on the
democratc ticket we "o'llu nave carried 'he
national election.
or lfl ff1s- ~ l. 4
,roi,aI,Io ,,rono,tiong Of fine now q \ r
organization?
cannot Do,siblv Gather into its bosom those
t,,. ~, ,,.o,,,.,l tl,,+ ,,.o,,lj I, ,,,.,oee,,, =,