The National tribune., 1888-12-13
GETTYSBURG COMMISSION
They Say Complaints from Regimental Associations
are Unjust.

They Say Complaints from Regmental Associations
Unjust
The Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Com
mission met in the United Service Clubs
rooms in Philadelphia, on Dec. 6, Gen. Tay-
Tor presiding. They remained together four
hours, considering some important questions.
The inscriptions, locations and plans OF the mon
uments for the 63d, sgd, 95th and 140th Pa. were
finally approved. The monument of the 9Sth
Pa. was considered, but not finally acted upon.
There was no action taken on the Pennsylvania
Reserves matter in reference to giving that
corps an opportunity TO appeal to the Legisla-
ture for permission to combine their State ap-
preparations for the purpose of erecting me-
mortal temple.
The matter discussed at tho recent meeting
of veterans in Gen. E. D. Baker Post hall, in
which the 68th and Goth aud other committees
complained of unfair action toward them, was
not officially noticed as the committee ap-
pointed at the meeting did not appear and
state the grievances of which certain regi-
mental associations complain. After the adj
tournament some of the Commissioners were
spoken to in regard to the matter. They were
unanimous IN saying that the statements made
at the meeting as reported to them were erro-
neous in many particulars. They say that
no claim for inscription, plan or location
had ever been rejected except for cause or for
the reason that the committee in charge of the
sianstiate their claims by proper evidence.
The statement made at the meeting that the
names of Union officers in some eases were de-
MED upon the inscriptions of some of the
monuments while the names of Gen. Lee and
other rebel officers were allowed on others, is
said to be entirely without foundation. " There
arc Pennsylvania monuments" said Col Mich
olson, which have officers names upon them /;
but they were erected before the commission
was created, and none were ever allowed by it,"
Gen. Taylor says: "There is no foundation
for that and other assertions made by some of
those comrades who are complainingof Unjust
ice to them. We have treated all alike; but we
must have uniformity" Gen. Goblin was espe-
cially severe upon those who made such state
ments. He referred TO the great injustice done
by abusing Secretary Harper. Why Mai.
Harper" be said, has given $1,000 worth of
his time and labor to the work aud has spent
money for personal expenses as we all have,
from his own pocket. As to the other matters,
l will say that we have performed our duty
faithfully, given our time and paid our own
personal expenses for hotel bills and car fare.
There are some monuments erected by troops
from other States which have inscriptions upon
them that we would not allow. Besides. we
don't call the enemy when we name him, Con-
federatc but rebel, as we knew him during the
war"
1t was learned that the Commissioners have
met since the Board was created q times in
various places, as Philadelphia, Gettysburg,
Allentown, Lewiston, Mifilinville and other
places. The time taken in attending these
meetings amounted to at least so days, or two
months. The average expenses were about SIC,
making total amount of about 1920 for each
Commissioner.
Maj. Harper was hurt over the feeling some
| entertain toward him, but says it is unjust and
is because he is the Secretary, and consequently
| H. -.
missioners and the Regmental Committees.
! The other Commissioners speak Of him in the
! highest terms, and say that he performs a vast
amount of work, for which he is paid in abuse.