The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-22

the order, and he was directed TO fecog-
nize the posts. He declined to do so,
and an order was issued from the head
quarters OF the department Of Louisiana
and Mississippi by the department
commander stating that the comman-
der-in.chiei had ordered posts from
nine to seventeen recognized.
Two alternatives now confronted me.
Were the representatives Of eight posts
in Louisiana and Mississippi to rule or
should the voice of the majority OF
nearly half million comrades govern
the affairs OF this great order? The one
meant disruption; the other that the
dignity and laws of the orders should
be maintained. 0bstinacy which at
first wore an aspect OF legitimate effort
proposed no longer to yield to the laws
OF the order, but developed into open
defiance and revenge. II the officers OF
this department were unwilling to abide
by the rules of the national encamp-
ment It was their privilege to resign
and permit others to be chosen who
would, but they had no right to attempt
to thwart the action Of the national
encampment by an effort to bring about
dissolution Of the department by an
illegal act. April 25th, in special orders
No. 5. suspended the department COM
mander and placed in command Senior
Vice Commander Durkee, with instruc'
tions to recognize the posts from 8 to II,
and report to these headquarters not
later than May 10. Under date Of May
IL, he acknowledged receipt OF the
order and said: "No application has
been made since the meeting in Febru-
ary from posts 0 to II. Should they
make application | will report my
action"
Comrade Durkee having failed to COM
ply with the order from national head
quarters by special order No. 8, May 8,
suspended him and placed Comrade
Miller, the junior vice, in command.
The assistant adiutant general, Comrade
Keeting, replied by telegraph that Com
rade Miller considered himself no longer
member of the order, as the depart
ment in special encampment had voted
to surrender the department charter.
No issue can be anticipated from dis
scords in an organization. Where they
are at issue amongst themselves oppor-
tunities are caught for mutual injury,
and the sooner vital issues are settled
the better it is for the organization.
The charter OF this Department was
received at National Headquarters, May
26, 1892, and across the face was writ
ten in letters of red ink, Surrendered
May 10, 1892"
In special orders No. 8, June 9, 1892,
declared that the action taken at the
special meeting of the department OF
Louisiana and Mississippi, being in
direct violation Of the rules and regu-
latlons, all acts contemplated by special
meeting were null and void. / then
appointed Post Department Com
mander A. S. Badger, commander pro
tempore, and returned to him tho
charter and ordered him to recognize
posts from 0 to IL inclusive, and pro-
ceed in accordance with the rules aud
regulations OF tho 6. A. R., and report
at once to these headquarters in obed-
ience to these instructions, Comrade
Badger assumed command of the de-
partment OF Louisiana and Mississippi,
June Srd. 1902, appointing CoRrade
Keeting his assistant .adjutant general.
"In dealing with this subject | was
not actuated by an unkind thought
towards single comrade in this de.
partment. They had encountered no
real resistance up TO the time Of the
twenty-fiith national encampment. 1t
was known that there were disintegrat-
| ing forces at work, which the national
encampment concluded was time to
arrest, and in the discharges OF duty
incumbent upon me under my oath OF
office; / did it without either fear or
prejudice.
OTHER MATTERS.
With few words OF praise for the
loyal women and the Sons OF Veterans,
he referred to the passage Of the disa-
bility pension bill as most magnificent
act providing for all honorably dis
charged soldiers suffer ing from mental
or physical disabilities. The work on
the marble statue Of General Grant for
the national capitol was progressing, as
also was the work on General Grants
tomb.
He recommended that the encamp-
ment take action preventing posts from
sending direct 70 Congress, or other
| Legislative bodies, petitions In the inter-
est or at the solicitation Of individuals.
It frequently impedes the progress Of
legislation for the veterans, destroys
the influence OF the order, places us in
a false light before the people OF the
country. -
In conclusion he said:-"If have
succeeded In meetingyour expectations,
and merited the confidence reposed In
me, shall feel amply rewarded for the
year OF time and energy l have de-
voted to your interest; and as return
to the ranks to mingle with you, my
comrades, in the work that is still be-
fore us, it will be my ambition at all
times to do my full share for the future
progress and prosperity Of our grand
order.
ADJUrASr GENERAL PHIsrERER's REPORT.
The report of the adjutant general,
Fred Phisterer, begins with the state
ment that when Commander-in. Chief
Palmer assumed the Office there we're
practically no funds on hand to carry
on the business Of the adjutant gener-
aps Office, except $4,000 in United
States bonds which 1t was not deemed
wise to sell, and no income was ex-
pected until after December 81 last.
Consequently the most rigid economy
was necessary. The total expenditures
of his office during the fiscal year asgre.
gate Sll,SO0. AS the per capita tax OF
two cents per member produces an in.
come OF but 5000 the adjutant general
says that the tax is plainly insufficient