The National tribune., 1890-08-21


OF honor to hang in his house, and for his
children, that they might rejoice in the evi.
dence of their fathers service for the country
Comrade Stormont Qnd) said that his com.
rades in Indiana were practically unanimous
In favor OF q service pension. They wanted
every mans discharge to DO his pension certif-
| cate. lt is not question of expense. but OF
right. The country could well afford TO pay
n service pension and IL should Every man
| who honorably wore the blue should be put on
the pension roll for life
Comrade Clark (Ill.) said that he represented
only himself as his Department had taken no
action on tho subject. He came from tho State
! which had given the Nation Grant, Lincoln,
! Black Jack Logan, and host of other glorious
leaders. But while he admired tho officers, no
| spoke now for the grandcst men in all history
tho American private soldiers. He himself
had carried n muskctand knapsack 400 miles,
and lay 81 days on the battlefield. He urged
the Nation to do justice to tho men who saved
| its life, and made vigorous argument in sup.
port of n service pension.
Comrade Kotcham 1nd) supported the ma
jority report He contrasted tho Grand Army
of tho Republic of 1S6lI65, which made n
history that is read in the Nations eyes with
tho history that is attempted to DO made now.
Il Is excellent TO have giants strength,
But tyrannous TO use II like giant"
He dreaded the use of the giant strength of
ing people. Don't lot US tarnish the proud
record of the past by inordinato sef-seeking.
Comrade Bennett (Ill) had no quarrel with
any man for his individual opinions on ser.
vice pension. But the question was whether
the Grand Army of the Republic could make
such an expression on pension questions is
now demanded Of il. Like tho comrade who
preceded him, he dreaded the use of tho GAR.
as club to eXt0rt from the Government for
any man more than his merits entitle him to.
Tho enemies of the GAR. were many and
strong, and they were seeking opportunities to
injure il before the whole people. We could
not afford to give them q handle to use against
us, which might be given by the passage of n
service-pensi0n resolution. Our reputation was
made by our enemies. We could not afford to
play into their hands. This question was ono
OF politics. There were plenty of politicians
to take it up and push 1t through without our
mourning the odium.
Comrade Fairchld (Wis.) felt that the very
extreme of liberality in pension legislation had
been reached, and public opinion everywhere
was almost solid against granting pension to
bodied men. Public opinion favored PEN
sOning any disabled man, but il would go no
farther Hold on awhile and see tho effect of
this disability bill, before going farther 1t
will put on the roll every disabled man. Let
us stand awhile on that
Comrado John F. Rea (Minu.) said that he
-
as the free gift of liberal people-not as an
extortion from an overawed Nation. We could
not assume a position which would look like
threatening. The day will como, not as a re-
suit of an organized threat, but rs tho sponta-
neous gift of generous people, when a pom
sion will be granted every soldier, IA the peo-
pies grateful appreciation of the services Of
those who saved the Nation.
Comrade 5. 5. Burdett washington, y. c. said
that on both sides Of this question there was
entire honesty. He never knew time when
any question was properly presented to gath
ering OF soldiers, when they did not decide
rightly. He believed they would do so in this
instance. The service pension question was
now freed from all side issues. Awhile ago we
were pleading for pensions for disabled COM
Tades. A liberal bill meeting this demand has
been passed. Now we have strong able bodied
men demanding service pension. Upon what
ground, in Gods manner Why should any
man who came out Of the war unscalhed, and
is sound and we'll to-day, ask for pensiOn7
Comrade /. +, Mack made strong appeal to
the Encampmcnt not to 10 back on its action
taken at Columbus, and roailirmed at Miwau-
kee. We did right at Columbus. We could not
now ANONYMOUSLY retreat from that position No
tho demand OF the Mugwump papers Of New
York aud New England. We cannot say TO the
magnates Of Wall street and Mugwumps, that
we were wrong at Columbus and Milwaukee,
Comrade X. w. Blue KAN protested against
any going backward. Ho insisted that the
timo had come for an equitable per diem PEN
sion. IL must be urged now. and pushed to
success or it would not come for 100 years
This exhausted the time allotted.
The question was upon the adoption Of the
minority report. The vote was taken by rising
Comrade O'Neal Ohio was appointed tellor
on tho part Of the service pension, and John
Palmer IN. " for the opposition. The vote
resulted:
For the minority
The result was greeted with loud cheers by
the service pensioners.
Camrade Burdett, from the Committee on
the Grant Memorial Fund, reported that there
was now $l1,ll4.53 in the fund Congress
would probably pass the bill for the memorial
to be erected in Washington, aud IL was recon-
mended that the committee be- continued.
The Commander in Chief announced the fol-
lowing committees:
or RULES FOR COURT-MARTIALs.
D. u. Austin. Ohio. j. w. Meal. Ohio
IL NJ Dufleld, Michigan.
REPORTS or COMMITTEES.
The Committee on Reports Of Officers re-
ported favorabiy upon those submitted by the
Qnartermastcr- General, Adjutant- General and
Judge General.
Several changes were made in the decisions of
Judge Adyocate-Gen Austin, but a high COM
pliment was paid him for his ability, kI.owl- |
edge Of the law, and industry.
ON REVISION OF THE RITUAL
X j. Reatb. PenBsyi'nia. g. s. BurdeIt, Potomac
III. l.. THintOT, Connecticut
THE PENSION COMMITTEE.
Comrade Bowling (0hio) moved that when
on pension legislation be appointed,
1t shall be made TO consist Of comrades in haf-
mony with the recent expression of the En-
eampment on the question Some discussion
arising, Bowling Withdrew the motion.
THAEKs TO THE LADIES'
The thanks Of the Encampment were given |
10 the Department OF Massachusetts, w Il c. for |
the sumptuous lunch served the Encampment, |
and 10 Past ms Gen. Evans for his complete
preparations for the comfort of the comrades.
gURGEoE- GENERAL.
After some diminishing il was decided TO |
instruct the Adjutant General 10 cast the ballot
Of the Encampmont for DIR. b. +. Stephenson,
Of Kentucky, for Surgeon General
CnAPLAIE-IE-cHIEF.
hyron w. Reed Colo was elected Chaplain.
in-Chef
C0mrade II. A. Barnum IN. " reported
resolutions Of respect and sorrow upon the |
death of John Boyle oRoilly, tho poet aud
one oil the Reception Committee, which were |
adopted.
THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION
was elected as follows;
Alabama, O. -. Reamer
Arizona, w. j. Murphy.
Arkansas. Henry q. ColweIl.
California, Mhguus Taft.
Colorado and wyoming, J. B Cook.