Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-09-13
THOMAS @. LAWLER.


The Ladies' Circle devoted the day to re-
ports and to discussions Herewith for tn
perfection and extension of their organ
ization. TheWomen's Relief Corps had the
trouble between the factions Of Mrs Clark
and Mrs. Sherwood at Canton, o., exem-
plifled by sheriff, who entered without
the password to sorve an injunction Of the
court on the national officers restraining
them from ousting Mrs. Clark.
The gentlemen Of the encampInent al
most completed their work, while tho
ladies Of the auxilaries did not get much
done. There has been considerable agita-
tion about uniting them this year, Of re-
united brotherhood and citizenship, but
the ladies of the auxilaries are as far apart
as ever In spirit IL not in purpose, and
they will remain divided
The Confederate Veterans, General Buck
ner and Mr. Watterson, took part again
In the receptions and camphres. Mr..
Watterson last night delivered his lecture
on Abraham Lincoln, and tonight Gen
eral Gordon delivers his lecture on "Tho
Last Days of the Confederacy."
LAWYERS Views On Pensions.
The communicating chief In his address
said that during the year he had travelled
80, 900 miles in the interest of the organ.
ization; that he had attended 8S out of Al
annual department cncampments, and
had attended meetings in every state and
territory in the United States. save two
Florida and Arizona. Veneration and es-
TEEN for tho comrades and love for "the
old flag was manifested everywhere, and
especially through the beautiful south
land from nearly every schoolhouse and
public building in the cities where the de.
partment encampments were held "Old
Glory was flying.
On the subject Of pensions, the COM
mander-in-chef said: 1--WE all know that
all the legislation enacted by congress in
the interests of the old soldier has been
brought about by or through the influence
of this great, powerful organization, the
Grand Army of the Republic, and those Of
us who are more fortunate physically
than others propose to keep 1t up as long
as we live"
"While we are not asking for any new
pension legislation, we do insist that
when a law is passed by congress that Its
provisions shall bo carried out and not
misconstrued by any party who may be in
power. i know the verdict Of any court
of loyal men would be that after man
has furnished proofs and been granted q
pension, that pension cannot be taken
away from him without due process of law
"Iknow that this thing is being DONE for
] have seen the evidence OF Il In every de-
partment in which have been-pensions
reduced from $12 to s3 and from q to 90,
and many cut of entirely A man who
applied for pension two or three years
ago will receive q notice that his claim is
rejected, then notified that his case is re-
opened and allowed, but only from the
time of reopening, thus cheating worthy
man out Of $500 or so. Many of our COM
rades thus dealt with are not able to bring
suit to test the constitutionality Of this
sort of ruling ! would, therefore, rocom-
mend that the incoming counsel Of ad
minstration be empowered to select q case
and prosecute 1t.
"lt has been the custom " encamp-
ments to appoint committee to prepare
some testimonial for the retiring com
mander-in-chicf. recommend that no
such committee be appointed this year,
but that the money be used In making a
test case as TO the constitutionality Of the
act OF June e7. 1890"
He urged all posts to appoint special
committee on reinstatement to call on
every suspended comrade and sottlc with
him In some way and get him back into
our ranks.
The speaker recommended that the In
coming commander appoint committee
OF three to urge congress to include In tho
appropriation for the caro- OF national
cemeteries q sum sufficient to defray the
expenses Of holding Memorial day sarvices
at each OF the southern cemeteries He
said the day should not bc mado one of
pleasure and recreation. Praise was bo-
slowed by the commander -in-chief upon
the Womon's Relief corps
Festivities Marred by Accident.
While 100000 people wero watching thc
fireworks along tho river last night, a por-
ton Of the grand stand, on which wero
seated at least 10000 pcopia, gnve way. and
many were injured. No fatalities were ~
ported. The part of the grand stand which
foil was the lower part aud only elevated
about two feet. Immediately beyond this
part. on an elevation of ~ 10 feet, there
were $1,000 The exact number Of people
injured will probably never be known.