The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-09-13
JACK ADAMS.

A Massa chusetts Mar Elected Commander
in-Chicf of the Grand Army of tho Re-
public-He is Fifty. Two Years Of Age
and Has Good War Record.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Sept. THE
grand army people will probably fin
ish their business and leave for home
this evening. Already the jam
at the Union station of people leaving
has begun. Seven train loads were
taken out within half an hour yesterday
afternoon, without making hole in
the crowd. The encampment proper
shows disposition to rush through,
with its business. The selection OF
officers was brought up yesterday,
and the three following were elected,
practically without opposition: John
j. Adams, of Massachusetts,, comman-
der-in-chief; Col. l. N. Walker, of In
diana, senior yice-commander, and j.
c. Bigger, of Texas, junior vice-com-
mander.
The new commander-in-chie John
j. B. Adams, or "Jack" Adams, as he
is called at home, is one of the most
popular veteransi in New England. For
years he has been identified with the
grand army as one of the most active
and influential members of the depart
ment of Massachusetts,. No considera-
BILE assembly of the grand army is
complete without him. Above all
things he has record that any man
may be proud of. In 1861, before he
was 20 years of age, he enlisted
as private in the battalion which be-
came the nucleus of the Nineteenth
Massachusetts,. He served through the
war, rising step by step to the ranks of
captain. When not disabled by wounds
he participated in every march and in
every battle of the Army of the Poto-
mac in which his regiment took part.
At Fredericksburg he saved the reg
mental colors from capture after eight
color-bearers had been shot down. He
was severely wounded in the second
days fight at Gettysburg, and second
time before Petersburg, where he was
captured, and suffered the horrors of
southern prison. Not infrequently the
old wounds take him to bed of pain
for days at time. He is member Of
Lander Post, of Lynn, Mass, the Sec
ond in membership in the country. At
the campfire as well as in the council
Comrade Adams has no superior in New
England. He can bring unerring judg-
ment to the solution of the difficult
problems which arise. No man in
Massachusetts, has received more fire.
quent or more generous recognition OF
the people. Nothing has Seen too good
for Jack Adams, and Jack in turn ha s
met the expectations Of his supporters as
postmaster at Lynn and as deputy STU
perintendent of the Concord reforma-
tory. He now holds the responsible
position of sergeant-at-arms of the
commonwealth of Massachusetts,. Last
year his ardent friends presented his
name to the republican convention for
the candidacy for lieutenant-governor
and without canvass of organization
his name called out a large vote.
| Capt. Adams friends claim for him a
large and enthusiastic following. He
was one Of the most effective depart
ment commanders the organization in
Massachusetts has ever had. He
will be SO years old in October.
The address of the old COMMANDMENT
chief comprised over 5000 words. Or
the pension question he said:
Il Pensions are paid by all civilized nations
and are the natural results of war. They art
recognized in this country by enactment of law
and they are granted under law on complying
with certain requirements, and when the re
Quirements have been fully complied with
and the pension certificates issued. 1t wa,
supposed and justly believed. that was final
and that the pensioner was not subjec
to the whims or caprice of officials. Recently
however, we find scores OF worthy veterans
some above the age of three-score and ten--yes
four-score years-many suffering from wound
received on the battlefield, or disease incurred
while in the service of their country, or disa
bilties which are covered by law, cut off from
the pension roll without first receiving prope
investigation. By large majority the Fifty
first congress passed what Is known a
the disability bill, which was supplemental
to previous enactments Of similar nature
The vote was one which convinced everyon
that the country wanted the bill to become
law. 1t received the signature OF the pres
dent, and became law on the 9th day o
June, 1890. The law was considered wise one
and has given general satisfaction. AS yo
are aware, during the past three years
some of those who were not the friend
of our country during that mighty contes
from 1861 to 1855, have taken every mean
within their power to create public sent
, ment against pension laws and pensioners. j
is hardly necessary to state that many Of thos
who were. and still are. the most bitter in thei
7 denunciations and abuse do not contine then
selves to facts, and most of them were not