New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-15
GRAND ARMY ON PENSIONS.
A SMALL VOTE ON THE PER DIEM MEASURE.
THE MAJORITY REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
AGAINST URGING SUCH LEGISLATION DE-
FEATED BY NARROW MARGIN-rM.
sTALLATIoN OF THE NEW OFFICERS.
[BY rELEGRArM Yo THE TkIBUNE. |

BY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TkIBUNE.l
Boston, Aug. LITTLE Grand Army National En-
campment closed its session at Music Hall this even
| ing 1t the largest encampmcnt ever held BY
| the Grand Army of the Republic. 1t was ushered In
| by the largest finest and most magnificent parade
Of veterans seen since the war, and the reunion
has been many respects the most successful on
| record.
The closing hours Of the encampment were devoted
| to the discussion OF the pension question, and al
though TIE debate showed wide difference Of opinion
and resulted in a victory for the side which mad
| been supposed to be in the minority, the margin
small that the winners were not able to
exult greatly over the result, and acrimonious
| feeling is apparent. The Committee on Resolutions
were divided the pension question, and submitted
two reports The majority report presented by Past
| Department Commander Palmer, OF Newiork, de-
cided upon cessation Of effort n the matter OF
| pensions, and advised that the organization await
trial Of the recent generous legislation OF Congress
on this subject before making further demands.
| The minority report offered by Governor lioyey, Of
Indiana advocated the per diem service pension for
all hOnoraby discharged soldiers sailors and marines,
| and reafirmed the action Of the National Eneanp-
| ment held at Columbus, Ohio, two years ago, which
instructed the National Committee on Pensions to pro-
pare present urge upon Congress the measure re-
ferred TO- After an eloquent discussion, In which,
Past COMMANDMENT Chief FaIrchd, Rea and Purdette
! Comrade Kitchen and Others supported the majority
reports and General william II. Gibson and T. Z.
Mack Of Ohio, Past Commander Richard W. Blue,
OF Kansas, and Department Commander Taylor, OF
Indiana, sustained the report OF the minority
OF the committee. The minority report was adopted
by a vote of la TO 100.
Ex-senator Warner Miller, who took part In tho
debate hut who voted for the majority report said
| this evening that the smallness OF the VOTE less
than onethid OF the voting strength OF the encamp'
ment would undoubtedly detract from the enect
which the result would have in Congress and With
| the people at large. The parliamentary point THAI
q quorum was not voting was not raised Inc re-
suit was surprise 10 those who claimed 10 be keep
| ing a careful watch upon the situation. Ex-senator
| Mlllers view, that the vote was too meagre 10
carry with II the weight Of the encampments settled
! expression IS shared by many prominent on both
sides Of the controversy. NewYork and Illinois were
divided. Ohio, India and Kansas stood solidly lot
service pension and Pennsylvania went as unis
! the other way.
The resolution presented by the the Departments
Of Massachusetts, and solldy supported by the ONO
delegation abohing the right OF the 1856 past Depart
nent commanders to seats in the National Encamp-
| ment was reported adversely by the Committee on
Rues and Regulations and the committees report "S
| sdonted without a division. The advocates OF tho
| abolition OF the House Of Lords say that they
will bring up the question next year again. ana con-
time the fight until they are successful win aoous
env life members added to the National Encamp-
meut they assert that III i pecomnls oSS
and less representative body, and VIII IN the iu'u"
speak for none but the individual members
| one OF the main topics Of discussion among the
Grand Army veterans to-day has been the speech
which General Butler made on the pension question
AZ the campfire in Mechanics Hall last night and
Major McKineys prompt and judicious reply. Gen.
eral Buffers evident intention was TO stir up bad
blood and TO create ilfeeling among soldiers
Of the war against Congress, the Government
and the country generally but he did not
count on Major McKnley's ability to extract
the poison in his delyeranecs before it had chance
10 take effect. The General said some true things
about the debt which the country owes to the defenders
Of the Union, but he made the mistake OF trying 10
compute It in dollars and cents and Of advising his
hearers II the Government did not settle with them
promptly on their own terms, to compel payment
| There is warm feeling Of gratitude among Grand
Army men to-day toward Major Mckinley for his
quick grasp of the situation and his patriotic reply 10
Buffers haunting gibe that the boys had MADE
bad bargain when they took the contract
~ saving the Nation. The Major showed
that il was good bargain. because it saved TO
mankind now and forever the freest government on
earth Colonel Henry NJ Duiied, department COM
mander Of Michigan. expressed today the sentiment
which prevails among many conservative Grand Army
representatives
We believe he said, "that entitled b the
enactment of the Per Diem Service bill. which gives
|
with the work he did. 1t is the fairest and beS
plan that can be devised. We have filed our claim
with Congress and ask that be considered as soon
| as in the judgment OF our lawmakers. the country
! Is able Ia pay IL. We do not press this claim now
We are agreed 10 wait until the effect OF the
| laws which have Wcentlg received the approval Oh
| the President But. because we are not demanding
| an immediate consideration Of orr claim, 1t does nos
| mean that We have withdrawn IL. some have al
vised its withdrawal. with the understanding that
may be renewed in the future. such action might 10
misconstred We do not mean to be told hereat'
ter. when 10 press 1t. that "e
| have withdrawn our claim, and that we do not know
our own minds II is duly filed. and at the proper
time we shall ask that il be considered and AWARDED
The contest for the Offices OF surSeon-general anu
chaplain.inchicf brought 10 close by the elec'
ton of b. F. Stephenson, OF Kentucky, as surgeon
general and the Rev. Myron W. Reed, OF Colorado as
chaplain-inchef
The interesting ceremony of installing the new OFF,
GERS was performed before adjournment Coonel
Whceock G.. Veazey, of Vermont, succeeding General
Ager In the high and important office Of commander
ii.chie and Richard NJ. Tobn. of Massachusetts, ana
George b. Crcamer. OF Maryland. assuming the dntes
Of senior and Junior Recommendations ina
new commanderin chief appointed as adlutantgch-
era upon his stan c. IL. Goulding. of Vermont. and
John Taylor as quartermaster- general The stan OF
the past commander chief. General Ager. some 2ou
Of them being present, formed permanent SOCIAL
organization to day Their annual meetings are TO be
held at the time place Of each succeeding encamp
ment. The Veteran Association of the 9TH New York
Heavy Artillery had pleasant reunion and dinner In
MONTGOMERY ST. last night, and arranged 10 hold the
next annual reunion In New York Monday, october
90 The dinner will take place at Clarks restaurano
| in West Twenty hird-st A large number OF similar
reunions of regmenal and battery organizations have
been formed.
The harbor excursion given today 10 visiting COM
panions OF the Loyal Legion. by the Massachusetts
Commandery was largely attended and proved one OF
the most delightful of the many pleasant occurrences
OF the kind Of which the resident veterans have been
so lavish. II is unQuestonaby 10 these enjoyaole
gatherings that the small attendance at this afternoons
session of the National Encampment may be charged
Delegates preferred the bracng air Of the sea ana inc
do ,h,s -, unrestraIned comradeship in which thein