The Globe-republican., 1893-09-15
The Comu,ander-in-Chief Report n ts
the Condition of the Order-New Of
ncers ChOsen-Resoluti0ns
ON Pensions.
Annual Report.


from military or naval SER
vices by reason of wounds or privations
incurred in the line of duty should have
a preference in the appointment to
public offices and the other recommend
ing that honorably discharged men
should be preferred by the business
men and firms of the country for lucra-
tive employment
The report and address OF Command
er-in-C Chief Weissert was delivered yes
terday afternoon. He reviewed the
progress of the order during the past
wear and made allusiOn to the death
during that time of two illustrious
comrades, ex-President Rutherford b.
Hayes and Gen. Benjamin F. Butler.
Continuing he said:
While our leaders are fast passing away
there has been an unusually large death loss
among the rank and file among those who car
ried the gun and knapsack during the late war,
and post charters throughout the order have
been repeatedly draped with the insignia OF
mourning. The loss by death in the ranks OF
the G. A. r during the past year is 1902 This
is an excess of any previous mortuary return
Add to the figures the estimated loss OF veter-
ans not members of the order. amounting by
conservative estimate to 7.s0l. We have total
loss by death among the union veterans OF IA
500
In the returns for December. 1892 there was
an increase of membership Of 1000 over the
June previous in good standing and large In
crease was constantly looked for in June, but
the desired result was not obtained. After
most earnest efforts made by headquarters to
increase the membership in good standing.
loss from June. 1897, of over 2UO0 must be re-
ported The determination to weed out all
members who are practically dead weight to
the order, together with the pressure In fnan-
cial matters throughout the country, from Of
fetal reports is largely the cause lam pleased,
however, to report the delinquent list for the
same period reduced by almost 100 The total
membership of the Grand Army OF the Repub-
lie is i43 554 of which 1877 s3 are in good stand
ing; suspended, 1851: by delinquent reports.
447. The gain by muster during the past year
is 1Il34
Recently, we find scores of worthy veterans
some above the age of three score and ten. yes
four score years, many suffering from wounds
received on the battlefield, or disease incurred
while in the service Of the country. or other
disabilities which are covered by law, cut on
from the pension roll without first making
proper investigation. During the past three
years some Of those who were not the friends
of our country during the mighty contest from
1861 t. 1861 have taken every means within
their power to create public sentiment against
pension laws and pensioners Unwarranted>
statements are made against the pension roll
No facts are advanced to substitute the state
ments made. The pension laws OF our country
affect the interests OF veterans OF various wars,
but somehow the indiscriminate taking away
of pensions affects only those who served in the
war against treason and rebellion.
New Officers Chosen.
After the reading of the various, re-
ports were completed at 4:3O o'clock,
and a half hours routine work dis
posed of, Past Chief Mer-
rill arose and nominated Capt. j. G. B.
Adams, of Massachusetts,, as command
er-in-chief, to succeed Commander
Weissert. of Wisconsin. Immediately
there was pandemonium. and cries of
adams" adams, resounded through
the great hall Gen. Hurst, of Ohio,
then withdrew and Adams was chosen
by reclamation.
Ivan n. Walker, of indianapolis, was
then elected senior vice commander,
and J. c. Bigger, of Texas, was elected
Junior vice commander without opposi-
ton.
Pension Matters.
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Sept 8. The
national bodies of the G. A. r. resumed
business sessions. The rapidity with
which business was transacted almost
took some of the delegates off their
feet. The selection of officers and place
of next encampment was generally eX-
pected to take place yesterday.
The committee on pensions present
ed very lengthy report. Regarding
the disability act of June, 1890, the re-
port says:
This act was accepted by the surviving sol :
diers and by the people in general as a settle
ment OF the uestion Under the administra-
ton of that law the poo.-house gave up its
veterans: he who had borne the battle was
cared for. and thus the sacred trust accepted
and left rs legacy to the nation was faithfully
administered
Within few months we hear with profound
sorrow and regret that all this must be
changed: that the construction Of the law has
been changed, and the regulations and rules in
req I'd to proof and ratings under which more
than 10 100 claims have been allowed and paid
have been revoked, and another construction Of
the law has been established and new regula-
TORS for proof and ratings. less favorable to
claimants have been adopted: that board OF
revision has been organized in the pension
Office. charged with the duty OF revising al
these adjudicated claims in accordance with
this new construction and such changed regu.
lations rs TO proof and ratings Under these
changes thousands Of pensions have been sus-
pended without notice and thousands Of pen
sioners have been dropped from the rolls.
To emphasize the viciousness Of the situation
and accusation, We learn that it Is said, Us
though by authority, that lit is expected that
any of the pensioners 50 summarily suspended
or dropped VIII be able to prove that they are
stin entitled 70 the pensions Of which they have
been deprived" thus saying in NO uncertain
voice that The burden is not upcn the party
alleging fraud, but that the government which
they had preserved shall first brand with in
fam- bv the charge. then sentence. and, after
the STIGMA had been effective, then concede "a
them whose barriers and support OF character
have been thus undermined. the piiiful priv
iexe Of moving for y new trial upon the ground
OF newly discovered evidence.
The committee also reported the fol-
lowing resolution:
Resolved, That, As the commissioner OF pen
sions, by his recent Withdrawals OF the obnox-
ious rulings which have been 50 generally coz
demned, has virtuallv acknowledged the incor
reclness Of Of such rulings, wc deem it his duty
e. a.