The morning call., 1893-09-07
ON PENSION LAWS
Weissert Gives HOke a
Scoring.
AFTER UNION SOLDIERS ONLY
The Grand Army is Pretty Well
Aware of the Animus of It's
Arch Enemy.

INDIANAPOLIS. Sept. 6-Captain j. G.
B. Adams of Massachusetts, is 10 be com
mander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the
Republic for the ensuing year, he being
chosen by acclamation this afternoon.
After scores of regimental and other re-
unions and the grand display of fireworks
was over tonight the exodus OF veterans
began, and by tomorrow night thousands
will have left for home. From this time
til the close of the encampment on Fri.
day next there is no longer pleasure for
the many, but business for the few.
This was busy day for the Grand
Army of the Republic veterans.
The first session of the encampment
opened at 9:30, as well as the first session
of the Woman's Relief Corps and the
Daughters of the Regiment. This after
noon there are scores of regimental and
division reunions, and tonight there will
be a dozen or more public and private re-
ceptions, with electric and natural gas dis
plays outside.
Among the reports to the National En-
campment was that OF the special COM
mttee on legislation. The object of the
appointment of this committee was to Sc
cure the enforcement of two Federal laws
almost totally disregarded for many years.
The first provides that those discharged
from military or naval service by reason of
wounds or sickness should have preference
In appointments to public Office. The other
recommends veterans to business men and
firms of the country for lucrative employ
ment The report says bill to that end
was introduced at the last Congress, but
amended so as to destroy its effect in the
Senate. that was subsequently aceeptabiy
amended in the House, but failed to pass :;
that this bill has been reintroduced in both
houses the present session, and that il is
necessary to keep up the fight with yigOr
until it passes.
Governor Matthews. Mayor Sullivan
and Colonel Lilly, chairman of the execu-
tive committee. delivered addresses of
welcome. Commander-in-chief Weissert
responded. then the encampment went
into executive session to hear the reports
OF The officers. Commander WeiSsert, in
bis report and address. reviewed the prog
ress of the order during the year; referred
to the deaths of General Rutherford B.
Hayes and General Butler as among the
illustrious comrades who had passed
away. and to the excessive mortality
among the rank are fie The report
showed total membership of AS. 544, of
whom 397, 223 were in good standing. The
gain by muster during the year was 24,954.
For relief S177.S46 was disbursed during
the year. The Woman's Relief Corps dis
bursed S5s.62O
The commander devoted much time 10
the subject OF pensions. He SAID. after ref.
n tho u Of I'm
bureau in cutting off pensions, tha; during
the past three years soma of those who
were not friends of our country during the
mighty contest from 1861 to 1865 had taken
every means within their power to create
public sentiment against pension laws and
pensions. Unwarranted statements are
made against the pension roll. The pen
sion laws of our country affect the inter-
est of veterans of various wars, but some
how this indiscrminate taking away OF
pensions affects only those who served In
the war against treason and rebellion
Neither does the law favor any system that
permits those whose loyalty was never
justly questioned to pass upon the merits
of veterans who served honorably in the
Union army OF which takes away or cam
cells the payment of pension lawfully
granted without first investigating the case
and permitting the pensioner to be heard,
which should be done at the expense of
the Government which demands add-
tional proof. Action should be taken to
secure the reinstatement of all worthy vet
erans who had been dropped or suspended
from the pension roll.
After disposing of various reports the
encampment proceeded TO elect officers
Past Commander-in-chef Merrill nom-
mated Captain j. G.. B. Adams of Massa-
chusetts for communicating hief to sue
ceed Weissert. Hurst of Ohio withdrew,
and Adams was chosen by acclamation
amid tremendous cheering. Ivan n.
Walker of Indianapolis was chosen senior
vice-comm ander. and j. G. Bigger of Texas
junior yice-commander. The encampment
then adjourned until tomorrow.
Pitts burg is the only city so far maxim
much of a struggle for next years en-
camDment.
The seventh annual convention Of the
Woman's Relief Corps met to-day. The
report of the president showed a gain of
two departments and ffty-two circles, and
an increase of $50 in membership. The
total membership is over $4,000. with 1900
honorary members. Twenty-eight States
and thirteen departments are represented,
every one of which is in excellent con-
dition.
rnNTDAf THE