Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-04

The Thinning Ranks.
These figures show that the Grand Army
Of the Republic has reached the beginning
Of the end, and each succeeding year will
show gradual decrease in our member
ship. The long-continued depression in
business has caused many suspensions, and
these we hope to regain when prosperity
returns; but It will De Impossible for US
to recruit our ranks as fast as our COM
rades are mustered out by death.
during the year the Grand Army has not
forgotten the great work of charity, and
has expended S2C3. 80. 10 for relief. While
II has lost in membership, the interest in
the order has not ahateI, but has grown
stronger. The little bronze button was
never worn with more pride than it is to-
day, and the enthusiasm Of comrades in
Grand Army work is everywhere apparent"
After referring to the celebration of Me-
mortal day and other holidays which serve
to Keep up spirit of patriotism among the
people, he referred TO the Womeh's Reli #
Corps. as follows: Born under my admin
istration, when commander of the Depart
ment of Massachusetts, l have seen them
grow from a little band of earnest women
meeting in the headquarters of that depart
ment, to more than 1iO,O0o, located wher-
ever Grand Army post could be found, or
worthy comrade or his family required
assistance"
the Republic. returned his thanks to the
corps for the assistance it had rendered the
old soldier, and the work done for the chill
dren OF the nation by introducing its salute
TO the flag in the public schools.
referring to the Sons of Veterans, he
commends the action Of the young men in
that organization, and says it will carry
on the work when we lay 1t down. do not
believe they should ever become members
or our order in any way, and am of the
opinion they do not ask or expect it. / be-
heve the Grand Army OF. the Republic
should cease to exist and live only In his
IN Va no AT
but our principles must live forever.
THE Sons of Veterans are as loyal and
true as were their fathers, and should the
country require their services they would
AS our ranks grow thinner let US urge them
to strengthen theirs, so that this ma ton
VIII ever have a reserve force Of loyal men,
organized and differed as-oouss order has
been, ready as are we to march in support
Of the constituted authoritiss of, the United
States whenever the services, Of the volun-
teer are required. ,e.,Jy
Pension Policy Crit icired.
On the subject of pensions he spoke at
length, stating that while it Masoa question
of great interest and he "disfiked to con slider
money matters in connection with our serv-
ices to the government, the disabled condition
of a large number CT our comrades forces it
upon us. By d vote of the last encanlp-
ment test case was ordered to be made
IN the United States courts, and as that one
already begun by Judge Long, covered all
the points, 1t was settled that no other
should be instituted"
In reply to the message of the President
which stated that thousands of neighbor-
hoods had their well-krown pension frauds
the pension department of the order had
hunted down all reported cases. Very few
frauds were discovered, and, when found.
We're not cases where soldiers had defraud-
cd the government, but where some dis
honest agent had worked q poor. ignorant
widow and put the money thus obtained in
his pocket"
He complained Of the policy of the pension
Office, which he declared had IN violation
of the intended libsrality of the act of June
q, 1so rejected every claim about which
there was the slightest doubt, AMI many
disabled veterans. th2rch their claims bad
been proved by reliable witnesses, have