The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-30
Veterans Thank President Harrison for His
appointment and Join the Commissioner
in Asking fora Thorough Investigation.
A Magnificent Sham Battle Fought on
Milwaukee Bay in the Evening.
Graphic Description Of the Spectacle-Several
Sailors Wounded Auxiliary Organiza-
tiOns-LOgan Monument Fund.
COMMISSIONERS TANNER INDoRsED.

The Grand Army Expresses It's Confidence
i'm His Observation-Disclosures Courted.
MILWAUKEE, Aug. 29.-The chief event
to-day. at the meeting of the Grand Army
delegates, was a red-hot time over resolu-
tions indorsing Pension Commissioner Tan
ner. Mr.. Parkins, of Kansas, introduced a
resolution heartily thanking the admins
tratiOn of President Harrison for the honor
1T has conferred on the Grand Army in APP
pointing Corporal Tanner as Pension Com
missioner and heartily indorsing his con-
duct Of the bureau, because it was erected
for the benefit of the soldiers and sailors of
the late war, and denOuncing the bitter
and malignant criticisms of the press upon
his official conduct. General Barnum, of
New York, offered a substitute, to the effect
that, notwithstanding the assaults of an
unfriendly press, the encampment declared
its belief in the integrity of Tanner, and
its approval of his efforts to do all for the
soldiers and sailors that the laws will al
low. Campbell. of Kansas, agreed with
General Barnum in his ideas as to the proper
wording of the resolution. and said:
Don't take a hasty vote. We can afford to
stay here ten hours to settle this important
H"Nctioh anu cCttlc III TUT ultteu years
we have been declaring, and others have been
utter1ng sentiment that the country can never
pay the debt due to the old soldiers, but Corporal
Tanner Is the first officer that has made that
sentiment a practical reality L believe it is the
high duty OF this encampment to sustain him in
working out that sentiment. If the Grand Army
or the Republic ever had duty to perform look
ing neither to the right nor to the left, TO
neither the committee that is investigating the
worklngs OF the Pension Bureau nor to the Com
missioner himself. it Is tnow and We ought to
pass this resolution. The substitute differs with
1t In only one particular. It expresses a belief
In the integrity of COmrade Tanner, and would
not IL ftuence the action of the committee charged
with the investigation. 1t may be better than an
Endorsement like that offered in the original resO-
luton, but we shOuldmake reimbursement strong
enough The original resolution expresses our
sentiments exactly. If Tanner is dishonest or
has done any criminal act we will find 1t out
when the committee makes its report. The pre-
sumption of law Is that every man Is innocent
until he Is proved guilty. and as far as am
concerned will make that presumption go TO
the fullest extent in this case.
A delegate from Minnesota said he would
no more dare to go back to the soldiers of
his State after harming hair of Tanners
head than to ride through band of Sioux
Indians with their war-paint on. He urged
the encampment to stand up to the rack
and say that the G.. A. X. will stand by
Tanner till something wrong is clearly
proved against him. Another delegate
said:
A resolution of confidence like the substitute,
SHOULD provoke no opposition, but when 1t Is
made matter OF Judgment 1t becomes club in
the hands OF Tanners eneShles Who knows any
thing about his administration of the Pension
Blreaui 1t Is not his enemies, but his friends,
that are investigating him. We should not try to
force the administration TO suspend this investi-
CATION. 1 was in Washington last week, and
heard it charged upon the streets and every
where that men employed in the bureau were
all getting their cases made special, and taken
up Immediately, and rerated much higher, while
the poor devils of the rank and file have to stand
back and wait. told them that it was lie, but
II he has done that, and pass the original
resolution We indorse such action his part.
The substitute is broad enough. This encamp-
ment knows nothing of the details of Tanners
work. and cannot pass judgment upon it. We
may believe 1T ia all right. but we do not know
it. II We pass the original resolution, and the
him. the opposition press would say that the ad.
ministration dared not oppose the G. A. r., and
they would have good reason to say it.
After further discussion of the Tanner
resolution the encampment adjourned untii
3 o'clock. AT the afternoon session Barnum's
substitute was redrafted to read as follows:
That we thank President Harrison for appoint
ment of our comrade James Tanner as Commits
siOner of Pensions, and that Notwithstanding the
assault made on him we declare our complete
confidence in his integrity and our approval OF
his ende9vors to do all that can be done under
the laws for the veterans of the war; and in con.
nection with him we ask a full investigation OF
Bureau.
1t was adopted under suspension of the
rules unanimously amid great cheering.