The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-23

w. post com mander of Emmett Post of Wabash
in 1877. had asked TO be placed on the roster
past post commander. II in line with
the action taken in the morning in regard to the
department commanders of the old organiza-
ton: as Henley also held his Office under it. A
motion TO approve the minutes caused Comrade
Dodge of Elkhart to move to approve all ex-
cept that relating to the recon mendation OF the
council in regard to Hsnlylbeing placed on the
roster as a past post commander. he said the
encampment, under no law or rule could create
an officer of that kind Judge advo-
cate Williams claimed that the
ell only recommended what the encampnient
bad done in the morning in reference
to Past Department Commanders Foster. KIM
ball and others Ii the Henly request is thrown
out that would to certain extent nuilIfy that
action 1t will also place in false light Mr.:
Henly, who has always claimed the rank and
worn the badge thereof. motion to lay the
amendment on the table was lost, but il served
to renew the discussion, led by Comrade Dodge.
who said that thu council of administration
attempts to make past commanders of men who
the department. to obtain a concurrence from the
National Eneampment in what it had already
done ia seeking to recognize organization
that was not thorough In anything to give IL
credit as the Grand Army of the Republic.
Past Commander Nicar said the approval OF
the Henly request would aid Auten Post OF
South Bend very materially. That post never
went down. Through a long and unbroken line
of officers and regular meetings. by observing an
nually without omission from 1866 to the pres
ent time it had main tainedsts organization The
old department went out of existence but the
post did not IL Comrade Henly is denied the
right to the rank of past post commander it
would be unjust not only to him but to many
others.
General Carnahan resented the insinuation of
Comrade Dodge that the old organization was
not thorough. There were then on the stage
three men who organized it, and besides It had
as one of its founders Oliver P. Morton. the
war Governor. To this the encampment re-
responded with enthusiasm, but Comrade Dodge
tried to save his amendment by another speech
in which he remarked that the motion would
nile fnsr hmm 0A Uho
never post commanders. comrade replied
that it would not put more than fifty on the
roll and another said it did not matter whether
it was so. 400 or 1000, they were entitled to be
on the roster of past post commanders. The
eucampment became somewhat excited over the
question, and 1t was prolonged by comrade
and counter motions The Dodge amendment
was voted down, to which he gave notice of
appeal to the National Enhancement The min
utes were then approved. including the appoint
ment of the following committees:
On acknowledgements Walker lift and
On Reports-Cornrades Williams, Lampors and
Hoffman.
On Report of Monument Committees Finances
Comrades McMaster, Daily and Briant.
Comrade Mcdonald read resolution author
.zlpg the committee on monument to pay the
funds it now has hand to the monument
commissioners SO that they have means to
begin their work at once This was referred to
the committee on resolutions
The rest of the afternoon occupied in
hearing reports of the various cfficers-that of
Department Commander Chase coming first in
which he extolled the efficiency of the depart
ment and commented with pleasure the
markable progress made in the membership of
the order in Indiana during the past three
years. In 1885 it was thought the membership
had reachsd high tide with Il. 9lS comrades but
the number nearly 1000 in excess OF that.
He also referred to the financial condi-
ton as being more satisfactory than at
In speaking of soldiers monument that is to
be erected he said it the pride of the Grand
Army of the Republic of Indiana that it from
first to last fathered and fostered the gigantic un-
dertaking. He thanked the monument committee
for it's work the people for their subscriptions aud
the General Assembly for its appropriation. The
Womans Relief Corps mentioned with
praise for the work it was doing with graft
hcation at the settlement of its difficulties and
with commentator to this department. help
ers indeed, who are entitled to the projection
of the comrades. Reference made to the
Sons of Veterans who have a progressive organ
ization: He indorsed the management of
regard to pensions he gave letter received
from Congressman Cheadle. Hovey. Johnston
and while addressed to their comrades of the
department., in which they said the eieht-dollar
service pension bill pending in Congress is a
measure nearer justice than any yet devised. If
the old soldiers stand untedy and firmly in de-
manding it's enactment they will win Con-
tinuing. the writer said; ''There are now pend
ing before the Pension Department 357, 900
claims of soldiers and widows Of this num-
Der, the most conservative statements fix the
enormous number of 100. 900 that cannot be al
lowed; that must be rejected under the law
Can you mprehend the fact that this means
that of the claims pending for relief for wounds
and disease 160 full regiments must be deprived
OF all aid by reason OF the TECHNICAL
tramp by us-a great army 1906
strong; some with a leg off, others
with an empty sleeve; some are blind, many
weak-all are bowed with ago and broken by
disease. The Treasury is filed to OVERLOOKING
and all this great army in want. How
we reach thems Only by a service pension A
Ia fhaf hall for hon Mo
and nothing more. What other evidence ought
the Nation ask from its heroesl You, my COM
rades. very largely decide this question in
favor OF an act which is just. equitable and
which the government is amply able to carry
into succ essful execution. The time has gone
by for arguments in favor of such an act before
an ssse m bly, of old soldiers. We do not need to
be con vinced." They urged the department. to
once take favorable action. and this, with the
other expressions of the letter, Commander
Chase Endorsed. In concluding his report be
opposed carrying the meetings of the encamp-
ment from year to year to city after city. It
should be held annually in Indianapolis and to
secure this 5000 has been pledged by the cti-
zens TO pay the yearly expenses of meeting.
~ Assstant Adiutant general Walker reported
that the strength of the department., shown
by the fourth quarterly report. ending Dec 81,
1886, was 440 posts in good standing, and 20. 322
members. The report for the fourth quarter,
ending Dec. 81, 1887. shows 476 posts, and 23.1
members in good standing. The gain during
the year was 4.346 by muster. 451 by transfer,
and 3,510 by rensta tement. making total agre-
gaze OF ZS,OZJ. Inc losses curing the year were
5,434. distributed follows: Death,
243 honorable discharge, 1917 transfer,
$50; suspension. 1927; dishoIorabs dis
charge. 46; delinquent reports, IL.
During the same period charters hare been Pc
titi,ned for and granted from No. 4s6 to 528,
inclusive. Eleven disbanded posts have been
reorganized. and seventeen posts have sur
rendered, making q net gain of thirty six posts
for the year. The death record shows an in
crease of fifty-nine that of last year, Com
rade Ben ID. House, so long identified with the
as assistant adjutant-generaI, being
of the number whose names have been added TO
the roll of honor. The total amount reported az
expended in charity during the year was
Sc 042 16; number of members or their families
relieved, 532; number of soldiers not members,
or their families, aided $685. From reliable data
this amount does not represent more than half |
the sum actually disbursed. the other half being
given informally, and not reported by posts
The report devoted considerable space to sug- |