New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-31
GRAND ARMY BUGLE NOTES.
SECRETARY SMITHS PENSION ORDER RAISES
A STORM.
WHAT VARIOUS POSTS SIRE CONTEMPORARIES
cARELEssNEss OF ADsUTANTs.


cARELEssNESS OF ADyUTANTs
The question uppermost In the minds OF Ncw-York
veterans whose names are upon the Government pen
son rolls Is whether they among those whose
money has been stopped by the order OF Sec
retsry smith, Of the Department of Interior
This the last day OF the second quarter Of 1893 md
p.nsion Agent LOveland will begin this week to make
the usual quarterly payment. Many Of the men will
nat know what action mas been taken In their cases
until they appear at the pension Office TO get their
money. far, 1t is learned, about $3.50 veterans
fave been informed Of the suspension OF their pensions
under the Secretary's ruling await evidence that
me veteran Is incapable OF performing manual labor.
INT reports from Washington say that nearly % per
oent OF 100000 veterans whose claims have been
Granted under the Act OF June 81, $780, have been
placed upon the suspension list TO await the desired
evidence.
The order of Mr.. Smith is looked upon in Grand
Army circles as nficting most unnecessary hardshps
ppon the infrm and destitute. Four-ffts OF the
who served during the 1t is estimated have
passed the age at which they could be reasonably OK
pected TO perform manual labor sufficient to earn the
support of family. Large numbers OF these depend
upon their quarterly pensions to exc out bare
sience. Men who carried muskcts, haversacks,
Blankets and ammunition during three four years
Of the war OIL the long marches I'm pursuit and In
retreat find at the age OF sixty that their ability to
perform manual labor is not great. They find that
much more severe In undermining the constitution
than service in modern European African or Indian
Varfare Yet there those who will compare the
hardship and the fatigue endured In recent campaigns
in France. Austria. Italy, Egypt and South Africa
which lasted from a few months TO a year and n half
with the service undergone by the American soldier
during the long and bloody conflict which began in
April, 1861, and waged without cessation In
spring. summer. autumn and winter, seeing the sea-
sons four times repeated und April. 1865, when the
peace Of Appomattox ended the destructive and wear
Ing strife.
The extent to which the veterans and their friends
have been wrought up in Ohio is shown by the news
which came yesterday from Rome, Adams County.
in that state. where a crowd Of citizens gathered on
Saturday evening and burned Secretary Hoke smith
In efigy. The cause Of the indignation which found
this form OF expression was the suspension OF old
and nflrn pensioners who had won their right to
place the rolls by faithful service in the field
one OF these J. L. Reed, eighty three years old,
who served during the war in the 18th Illinois
Cavalry, which Colonel Robert G.. 1ngersoi com
manded. The old mans only support was his pen
sion. Another old soldier named X. New
man. who had gone to the front in 1861, and served
with honor until disabled. His was similar case.
Their pensions suspended until the Interior De
partment be informed whether these old men are
not able TO support themselves by manual labor.
II probable that similar will soon be developed
In this city and State. New-Iork veterans are not
likely to give vent to their feelings as their Ohio
brethren have done by hanging burning the
author OF this indefensble decision in eilgy, but
their indignation the less deep, and Will find
a way to manifest itself at the proper time In
way that will prove efrectual.
The veterans of Kerrwell Post No. 149 Of Flabush.
l.. L. through the efforts Of Commander Herman Smith
and Past Commander John W. Werner have organized
a society 70 be known the "Unon Benevolent AS
ISOLATION The membership Is not restricted TO
veterans only, but 20 OF veterans and any well
recommended citizens who may have desire to JOIN
Although the association has been organized only two
weeks $50 the roll, and Applications Tor
membership coming in at an encouraging rate.
The object Of the association is to help members In
distress and afford means to alleviate by prompt
medical attention the suerngs OF the sick and needy
Another object, COmradc Werner says Is TO compel
the town authorities to give employment 10 residents
of the instead OF TO outsiders who on an average
take at least $4,000 out of the town annually for
public work.
The post members and large number Of prominent
citizens have Endorsed application for the local
postmastership of Comrade Timothy Cronin, quarter
master of the post. The Office is at present held BY
Charles L. ii. Zelnsky. who is chaplain OF the post.
end received his appointment under the Administration
~ General Harrison. MIR. Zellinsky's term OF four
years expires next month"; and the veterans OF the
post are confident that Mr.. Cronin will be appointed
to the office. which has salary of 5000.
The committee OF the Memorial Committee ap-
nointed to decide mon suitable recognition OF the
patriotism OF the 69th Regiment and Troop "A' The
o,ganiz ions of the National Guard which turned out
and paradcd with the Grand Army on Memorial Day
without the orders of the Governor. l. receivios
gng responses their circular to the several
posts. The committee Is composed Of Past Comm'ndT
Phfp S. Eign, of Reno Post No. "A, chairman
Senior Vice Department Commander Edward j. AtHih
SON. OF ClsGn Post No SIS: General Nicholas W. Day
OF Dix Post No 1856: Past Commander Benjamin F.
Do M and ..
Brown of Monroe Post No. SOL ex-olicio member
ss cIail man OF the Memorial Committee. In accord
ance with resolutioa adopted, the posts were ASKED
TO send III contributions equal in amount TO 10 cents
for each comrade in good standing on the muserroh'
The sums beTg received from some posts show 'ha'
they have exceeded and in various instances donpieu
the amount asked. The responses have been so
general that the committee expects 10 he able to a.
something handsome. Whether the testimonial 10
The regiment AID troop will take the form OF STANDS
Of c1lors cngrossed resolutions or some o'hr "''"'
Of tesfying the appreciation Of the Grand ARMY Oh
the city at large. has not yet been decided. lh'
committee will meet in few days and talk II over.
In the mcar. time its members would be- eiau d
suggestions from posts or individual comrades. Any
one who desires 10 add 10 the fund can s"nd Ms
centrution to General y. W. Day, treasurer Of the
committee.
High Private sends the following from headqnar-
trs at Albany: al dropped Into Grand Army h'ad-
quarters last evening and had chat with the AS
sstant Adiu,ant General lie WAS In the midst OF
stack OF adiutants reports. trying to stralcten out
the tangle which some OF them were In IL Goes seem
astonishing that post commanders do not iooH '"oi
0uehy into their adjutani's ana quar~rmaS'rr +"
morris and 600 that they compare 10 members In gooi
standing and that the two reports "A and ~ agree
before signing and mailing them to the Assistant Al
1utant General Here some examples NJ tne ioo
way In which some post commanders 40 DuS'"'
large post not 100 miles from New-iorN' iepor.' n'
msmhers dronn.d from the roll these members having
never h.en susnended Another commander allows
his reports to come In with Il difference Of hVe "e'"