The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-22

department had been reorganized. aifd was rep
resented to-day in the National Encampment by
q fuu delegation, which speaks for all the COM
rades In the department. regardless OF color or
natonality, with the gratifying assurance that
there are no contests, except the contest, to see
VINO can best serve the interests OF the order.
With few words of praise for the loyal women
and the Sons of Veterans the commander re-
ierred TO the passage of the disability pension
Dill as most munificent act providing for all
honorably discharged soldlers suffering from
mental or physical disabilities. The work on the
marble marDie statue Of General Grant for the nationai
tho work on General Grants tomb. In reference
TO veterans in the government employ he said:
TO protect the rights of the veterans of the
late war is one of the cardinal principles OF our
section 1854 of the Revised Statutes has fire.
He recommended that the encampment take
some decided action against personal solieita-
tions for posts and departments. unless the OBJ
fed in writing, duly attested by the department
commander TO which the comrade making the
appeal belongs, and approved by national head
campment take action to prevent the presenta-
ton 10 Congress or other legislative bodies OF
petitions In the interest or at the solicitation OF
individuals 1t frequently impedes the progress
Of legislation Cor the veterans; destroys the In
nuencc OF the order; places us in false Light bo-
fore the people OF the country.
In conclusion he said: "If have succeeded In
meeting your expectations, and have merired
the confidence reposed in me, shall feel amply
rewarded for the time and energy have de-
voted TO your interests; and as return 10 the
ranks to mingle with you. my comrades, in the
work that is still before US, 1t will be my ambi-
tion at all times to do my full share for the
future progress and prosperity OF our grand Or
der"
THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL's RE PORT.
Commander Palmer Was frequently In.
terrupted by loud applause. At the con-
clusion of the address the report of Adju-
tant- general Phisterer was read. The fol-
lowing is q synopsis:
When C0mmanderin.chief Palmer assumed
Office there were practically no funds on hand to
carry on the business of the adJutant generals
office except $4,000 in United States bonds,
which it was not deemed advisable to use, and
no income was expected until after Dec 81 last.
Consequently the most rigid economy was neccs-
sary, The total expenditures Of the Office dur.
ins 1ss year
duces an income OF but $4,000, the ad1utant-
general says that the tax 10 plainly insufficient
annum. ann % He S SAYS that t semia returns from
posts and departments are unnecessary and that
annual reports will suffice. He also calls the
cumbersome, and thinks that the installing OFF,
Ger OF post should also act as its inspector. A
revision OF the present rules and regulations IL
also recommended. The number of persons en-
titled TO seats at the present encampment IL
stated at las, of which 453 are representatives
at large and apportioned according to member
The eadiutant-general devotes o page of his re-
port 10 history of the events attending the re-
fusal or the officers OF the Department OF
Louisiana and Mississippi to recognize as en-
titled To membership nine cOl0rcd posts duly
organized and chartered and recognized as valid
By comrades Alger and Veaxcy, preceding COM
manders- chlef Inc adlutant-general tells
how the department officers were suspended for
insubordipati0n ana how finally reorganization
was effected with the loss OF five posts. He
says: ''The suspended Off ers have not yet
IN
orders, as In your fraternal feeling you believed
that their course was dictated moro by pre-
Judice and bad counsel than by willfHlncss
During the last calendar year, as shown by the
report, there was a gain of 229 In the number OF
posts. making the total number I,56S. During
the calendar year there was gain in member
ship OF "a. .401, but tho losses were 66 1O9 leav-
ing the number of members in good standing,
Dec. 81 last 4O7. 7.76l, an apparent loss OF I,7OS.
This loss Is said to be apparent because In one
department Ii was found that nearly 5000 had
been added without authority, aud the returns
previously made were incorrect, SO that there
was actually gam of about 200 In the total
strength OF the organization. During the
year the deaths numbered 6.404; hon
orably discharged. l.s20: transfer, 9.46o;
eSsses 4e deSaasnss 1886
The adjutant- general comments shortly on these
losses, and says: Practically it may be said
that the membership of the q. A. K. is now at
its highest point 1t VIII remain about the above
Dusn.Jers for q few years TO come when, necessa-
rily. II must decrease, and the decrease will be
The report closes with a statement compiled
from departmental returns that from July l. 1891.
TO Dee. 81, 1891, $780, was expended by the
various posts for relief of unfortunate comrades,
soldiers widows and orphans. and the total cx-
pendture on that score from July l, 1871, TO
June 80, 1891, was g., ,22l ,7O&. The adju:ant-
general believes that these figures are not cor
rect, and says there is 10 doubt that the actual
amount was larger.
REPORTS OF OTHER OFFICERS.
Reports from other officers were subml {.
ted as follows:
Qaartermas tor general Taylor shows the total
expenditures OF the organization during the
last year TO have been $50. 216, leaving balance
the capita tax was Sl3.O51, and from sales OF
supplies $22.l57. The largest item OF expense
during the year was $i2,357 for postage and
incldentals. Tie total amount OF the Grant
monument fund is $ll.57S.
Is. K. Stevenson, surgeOn-general, complains
that many posts failed TO make any sanitary or
any mortuary returns, so that statistics on these
matters are very incomplete Blanks wero sent
To the several departments, bat the only ones to
return reports embracing the period from Jan
uary TO June were Arizona, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire and the Potomac. The report says
that, according to Commissioner Raum. at the
close of the fiscal year, June 80, 1892, there
were S76,0S7 pensioners on the rolls and that
the appropriations aggregated sI39. 1872 ,3s7.
In addition to these vast expenditures the an
nual appropriation for the numerous govern.
ment homes was $2,633, $40. There are also
l73 government cemeteries kept mp by govern.
ment appropriation. These appropriations
says the report. seem large; but" il adds "tbcy
should be thought OF in reference to the grand
moving cause calling them into being-the pros
crvation OF the government from overthrow
and who can place too high an estimate on that
achievement 1t is absolutely beyond monetary
consideration"
Joseph W. O'Neall. judge advocate general,
in his annual report to Adjutant- general PLY ster
er, gave summary OF oil decisions rendered By
him during the year
The report OF Inspector general John II. Pratt
contained the following summary of the Grand
Army, ~ latest receipt OF reports and statistics
from department inspectors: Total number oi
postA, $50; total number of post members In
good standing 391 ,5O9; number OF musket:
owned by posts. &C, ,05s; number OF posts having
relief funds, 2,C08; total amount of relief funds
$476.505; total amount expended for relief
S3l0,44S; total amount OF post funds In hands
or quartermasters. $S39,37O; total amount o
property other than In quarterInasters' and re
lief funds owned by posts. 81 ,s42, 1885, tota
membership in good standing, 409, ,446
Committees were then appointed. Gi
r. Stormont was made the Indiana member
of the committee on resolutions. Two re
ports came in from two committees In re-
gard 20 the teaching of patriotism to tht
rising generation. The two committees
were consolidated, and the reports were re-
ferred TO them for further treatment anl
report tomorrow.
indianapolis was then selected as tn,
next meeting place, as noted above. The
exact date of the next cncampment will b,
fixed later on by the council of administra
tion. The encampment then adjourned un
til o'clock tomorrow morning
The Pennsylvania and New Yorl
as unit for Captain Weissert
Wlsconsin's candidate for commander in
chief of the Grand Army. This action. i
Is asserted. will give Captain Weisserr