Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-07

new thing has arisen under the sun. The
cry OF fraud arises from no less q source
than the Executive chamber of the United
States. Thousands of onr comrades have
had their pensions suspended or wholly
Withdrawn without previous warning or op-
poItunity to be heard in defence, while the
pension department has begun q painstak-
ing search to see if their pensions were not
secured under fraudulent representation.
So swift, universal and unerring has been
the condemnation of the action of the COM
missioner of pensions in taking away the
pension while the investigation of fraud il
pending, that this regulation has been re
scinded, and hence forth the pension will be
continued until the investigation is closed,
and the fraud has been proven, at least to
he satis faction Of the pension department.
Comrades. the Gaand Army of the Re-
public does rot stand for fraud in pension
or any thing else, but for "honor and purity
in public affairs" Concerning the unjust
and sweeping charge of the President Of
the United States 10 his message to Con-
gress, our beloved commander.in-chief ha.
written in his circular letter, No. 2: -
therefore call the attention of all comrades.
posts and departments of our order to the
statement of the President, and urge them
TO report to the honorable commissioner Of
pensions, Washington, ID. c., any person
known to be in receipt of a pension not
justly entitled to the same under the law,
and to forward a dup 'icate of said report to
these headquarters at once" But ''let the
case of fraud be proved, not implied"
Every true comrade will heartily acqui
ese in this closing statement of our chief
"If these wrongs actually exist, the com
mander-in. chief pledges the support of the
Grand Army of the Republic to those wht
attempt in the line of duty to rectify thest
wrongs, assuring them that the Union vet
Grams are as anxious to guard the treasury
of the ,tion in time of peace as they were
to defen the flag in time of war"
"We also heartily endorse this deliver
ance of the committee on pensions adopted
at our last national encampment at Indiana
polls.
The annual report of Assistant Adjutant
General H. c. Vaghn showed l67 posts il
good standing; total membership in gooc
standing Dec. 81, 1898, 927; loss by death.
200, the largest ever reported in one year !;
amount expended in charities, $3408 O4 !;
number in good standing is 3sl less than
last year.
The report of Assistant Quartermaste,
General A. M. Warren shows the total as
sets to be Sl464.O3, and the balance oD
hand of $577 80. The report Of Medical
Director w. ii. True was read.
The election of officers will occur to-
morrow. Commander-in-Ch Chief J. J. B.
Adams arrived this morning. Governor
Cleaves will arrive tomorrow noon.
This evening q reception was rendered
Commander-in-C Chief Adams of Lynn.
Mass, at the Opera house. The theatre
was packed by an enthusiastic crowd
Wainwright Gushing, department comman-
der of Maine, presided.
He presented Col. A. C. Hamlin of Ban.
gor as a personal friend of Capt. Adams.
and the latter in happy speech introduced
Commander in Chief Adams, who received
grand ovation.
His speech was full of patriotism and
eloquence. He told of the hardships and
bravery of the soldiers and instanced his
own company in Massachusetts, regiment,
which enlisted for three years and went
back for three more, but on call to re-enlist
only l3 of the original l04 could be mus
tered.
He referred feelinaly to pension matters
aud other matters. He was followed by
Adjutant- General Meech, Ex-Governor
Selden Connor, adjutant-general of Maine,
r. S. Gately of Portland, Chaplain G. A.
Southard. Col. w. T. Eustis, Dlxfiell.
After the speeches the audience wen'
upon the stage and Commander-in-C Chief
Adams held reception, receiving hearty
greetings. The election Of officers occurs
tomorrow and campfire in evening.