The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-06
COLOR LINE IN TIE G. A, Il.
GEN. TEAZEr SAYS TINT 1T SHOCLD
BE CLEiRiY DRiUN
Opening OF the BuSincss Sessions OF the
Encampment at Detroit-The Commnn.
dcr-ir.Chier Discusses the Pension Que.-
tiou Who VIII He Ills Succ-ssort-
Rutherford II. 1inyes's prcdicnnent.

Rutherford II. nnye.'s Prcdicnment.
DETROIT Aug. Tho twonty-ri;h annual
encampincnt o tho G.. A. H. met in formal scs-
sion this morning in tho mammoth hall which
Ind been sct apart for the business dolibcra-
tons OF the vetorans.
At the head OF tho hall and over tho platform
was largo q. a. H. had. &c, fanked by Amer
lean fngs. and In the rear tho grand seal OF
tho United States. also set in iiaes. From the
ceiling hunk cluster, OF the flags Of all rcpub-
lies in tho world All arounl tho balconies
hunk garnet silk plush. embroidered with sill;
and gold. ON tho two band stands were 3@s-
pended blue silk Presidential banners
Despite tho size OF the han 1t was crowded TO
its full capacity by the multitude OF veterans
attracted by the momcn;ous questions to be
settled. II was understood that the race
question might be- piccpi,a'ed in tho del her-
ations Mt my moment and become tho subject
OF acrimonious discussion: ard this inpend
inc p-obcm, together with tho projected re-
vision OF tho constitution. combined to
heiGhten the general in'clcs: i'll tho proceed
inRs A iew minutes before the hour OF oren-
ing Cen. Vcazcy and his stat entered tho hail
anil were escorted 10 the grand staal. Rap
ring tho nssemblnge II orlo the Commanders
in, hiet announced tho formal opening OF tho
encnmpmcnt and directed to Adiu,nnt-ticn-
eral 10 ca tie roll OF departments Every
state and Territory in tho Union. NJ. even ex-
eepting Alaska. was represented. and the roll
showed the largest attendance of delegates In
tho history OF the organization. In his open
ing address the COMMANDMENT. Chief said:
From various sources OF information that
have boen accessible to m, ! believe that a
large majority OF both white and 'olor,,! COM
rndes in the partment OF Louisiana ard
Mississippi are strong In the conviction I lat 1t
could be for N no al nil in1I.
idually. and OF ~ cir osts an, OF the order 10
have q separate department in Louisiana and
some o. the other Gull Sintcs. made w OF
such posts as may apply to come into ii. md
having concurrent jurisdiction with the de-
partments already established In such States;
concurrent in respect 10 tho cha.teing and
mustcring OF posts hut each department hav-
ing exclusive jurisdiction over the posts which
II may receive.
Ny best judgment. after "A year OF rains
taking invest cation. Is Tint It would bc wise
to confer the authority upon my successor 10
create such department. lie may neither find
1t necessary ror think it hest 10 exercise tho
?ower |: conferred lam sure he will see Oh
,sctions % II. but he MAJ n.so find IL tho best
md perhaps the only shield for the iui rroter-
ton OF the colo,ed comrades. l tru-t need
not say that no difference has obtained Mt
national Headquarters in recognition and
treatment OF posts or com Rie-. whather white
or cUlored
Tho subject ri pensions was taken M By
the Fify-flrst Congress ut lis first session.
and. inter pat ent Investigation by the ension
Committees Of both Houses. n hill was agreed
upon. passed.. AMI finally anprovel by the
President on Tie l7th day Of June. 1890 1t Is
known as the Disability h!l!. 1t repealed none
OF the previous enactments. hut was supple
mentary thereto. The last nationa! sncamp-
ment passed resolutions thanking Congress
and thu President Tor this law. but iavoring
service-pension legislation
Before the asseu bling OF tho second Sos
sion OF the same Congress on IN" first MonhaY
OF December. 1890. ! aproir to the usual ZEN
sion Committee OF five comrades 20 resent to
Congress and the President the flows OF tina
national encaurment MS EXPRESSED in said
resolutions upon the policy Of legislation that
should be adopted. They consisted OF Conn
rades r. W. Blue OF Kansas. l.. I. Dickson OF
Illinois, Alvin T. Hovey OF Indiana. Warner
Miller OF New York AMI Seldom Conner OF Maine.
Tho Chairman. Comra 70 Blue. came to Wash.
ington durn: The second session OF the last
Congress. and upon HIS invitation | went with
him 10 see the Commissioner Of Tensions
and the PRESIDENT to aiyiso with them
generally upoa the subject Of pension leg
islation. We al-o aprea.sd before tho Joint
comm ttees of The House AMI Senate. and
Gomrade Blu. vigorously presented TO them
lie somm.es listened at b% saia On
whole subject hal con eNhansti ely c"nsid-
cred at the rre!ious ses ION with the result
10 obtain iecons ID Grafton before the efficacy
and operate II Of tho last enactment had been
sions have been allowed a, the rate .! more
than lW per ,!ny and I is exnected that his
applications is snHs taniiaI!y cleared. '' "
1t would be out Of rInce here hr me- 10 en-
lion as I" wSutser he H poy Of
adopted 5 the wises; and est i think that
all aEreo That; II the present enactment is not
Who ut hist thought it 100 ex,iavngant is
rur,uly dimin shing A.; he provisions OF tho
kecre,ar, O. tho MY. in u recent address.
interest en- tho b, Moi Iept Of h" Govrrn,n nj
between 1853 and l,?.. and ;hnt 'hr !ntrr st
nceount exceeds the pension nrco"A;. has been
] link that he. in tina, address,. srandly
:n.n rs do bssys 81 I'VE nsos
not b. carrlei awaJ. even by agener"us ser Ii
ment. 10 u literaltty heyona "ur means; l. for
viii h our pension legislation. Ia, ruR.tsl INTO
Jaw. that no man who rlSkst h., lie IL de-
ten.e OF Cnioa should ever want for
The Federal law. Revised Statutes. section
tv aus IN hs o tnou 10
persons discharged from The military "G naval
eerVlc" ny reason OF disability resulting from
wounds or sickness incurred in the line Il
duty, his utterly ignore. the idea OF service
constitutin.. any ground Of preference. The
statute. in letter and spirit. in this resuert
violates all public utterancs and pledge from
1851 70 lsi5. aud Is contrary to the resolutions
Of all political parties since then. IL l. be-
heved 10 te contrary 10 the under tanning anu
Intention OF tho Congress that passsi IL. 1t is
al offence TO the conscience of the American
people. 1t i WRONG or else ne ueOule have
been wrong for quarter OF n century
II atv,se that this encami mem renew the
enort ~ Year ago TO procure an appointment
Of The statutes to thu cfr ct tha' hon"tab!e
service Shall count Tor s,methii = in arIoint-
merts, when vi! Other things ARE equal"
This declaration Of the Commander in Oh OF
IN invor OF 10 establishment OF Departments
OF the e. 4. II for the negro Veterans created
ROM alton. IL WAS hardly expected that he
would so openly favor tho separation Of tic
races. and white veterans OF louisiana and
Mississippi were o,srJoyed al bis lscommsn-
datiuns.
Il 7. Stevenson. Surgeon. General, reported
the number OF deaths In tho order. $" far as
reported during The year. TO 70 3lj7. among
Them Leiug Wiiil9m TecHmseh slermun. Du-
John W. Flu Ter and J"hr NcHelll, In regard
10 the pension list br. Stevens ~ read II leli.r
NI.l .sN.ls