Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-14
Grand Army Ken Given a Grand Ball
at Louisville.
RESOLUTIONS TOUCHING PENSIONS,
Their Burden Ii That the COnstruc-
ton of the Laws should BE Liberal.
Chicago Confederate Monument
Dedication Adverfcd To.

| tons. All night long an army Oh EN-
ployees was at work in Wiides Park,
preparing trenches and building fires.
while under a big tent hundred thou
sand pounds Of meat 1900 gallons Of
bnrcoo. and 5000 loaves of bread were
stacked In readiness for the feast of this
afternoon.
The number of injured by last nights
accldent-the falling of a grandstand-ls
placed at sixteen by the police.
The soldier boys killed In the caisson
accident were buried this afternoon.
At 10 o'clock tonight, when the bugle
sounded for the grand march. one OF the
most brilliant balls ever given in the
South, the Grand Army encampment OF
1885 passed into history.
Eight thousand Of the leading citizens
of Louisville and visitors from abroad
participated in the function, and the ar
ray OF beautiful faces and gorgeous tot
lets combined to create an enhancing
scene.
Colonel LAWYER and Mrs. John a. Lo-
gan and Ex-Governor Simon Bucl,ner and
Mrs. Wallace, OF Chicago. gave a re-
ception 10 the encampment, and the dele
gates attended this while the festivities
were in progress.
The exodus Of visitors was on in earnest
all day, but tens OF thousands, whose
faces turned toward Chattanooga and
Chickamauga, will remain over until Sat
urday and Sunday.
In every respect the encampment has
been an overwhelming success
When the encampment reassembled to-
day several hundred failed TO respond to
the rol-call and the absentees were
roundly scored by Colonel Lawler, who
objected to the drudgery Of the work
being left to few.
PENSIONS.
The report of the Committee on Pen
sions was presented. and In part was as
| follows:
1.-THE Grand Army of the Republic, IN
grand convention assembled. speaking not
| In its own behalf. nor In any wise TOT
| its own interests. but for It's worthy
needy. and suffering comrades, VINO III
| the days OF their youth gave to their as
tressed country all that they had and all
that they held dear In order that the
| Union might be preserved intact, and mat
the sunlight Of liberty might shine un-
| dirnmed throughout the whole land they
| loved. in all its parts. and appealing to
| the whole people for justice, so.emnly pro-
| tests against policy which would de-
| prIve diminish, or impair the LIBERAL pro-
| visions made during the past thirty years
| for the man who had borne the brunt OF
| battle. and for his widow and orphans.
/ In recognition of the sacred trust imposed
upon them by the immortal Lincoln, anu
the unsehsh services they rendered,
grateful people has striven for third OF
a century to measureably relieve the SUI
fertng of its distressed veterans and make
recompense for the trials they had en-
dured and the services they had rendered
.'Wise and liberal construction had pre-
vailed. I'm accordance with recognized lega!
principles applicable TO remedial iegisia-
ton so that the remedy sought TO be
provided should be furnished and the
trust so imposed and recognized fuily ana
faithfully carried out: but the years
have passed. the smoke of battle blown
away. and the war Itself become memo
nv and passed into history, a generation
has come on that knew not Joseph, ana
I'm some quarters the old soldier mas
come to be looked upon as somewhat III
the light Of a burden. instead of great
and patriotic privilege. as he should sull
appear when viewed In his true character.
CONSTRUCTION OF LAWS.
DIFFERING TO this view-wholly un-
worthy of a great and patriotic people
constructions have been given to laws,
wise and just in themselves, by ana
under which burdens and restrictions
have been imposed upon those III able 10
stand up under them. and the just pro-
visions authorized have been grudgingiy
doled out. as though laws passed In the
interest of the pensioner. as Il Just re-
cognition of the obligations OF the coun-
try. were criminal laws. to be strictly
construed. and the benefcial1eS thereof
were public enemies, or parasites. seeking
unjust admission to the Treasury OF the
United States.
"The representatives of the people, In
Congress assembled. recognizing the deep
sentiment OF gratitude which justly per-
yades the entire community, when re-
moved from the insolence OF office SOL
EMMY declared by appropriate legislation
that a pension once gotten upon accept
able and accepted evidence constituted
vested right, OF which the posssssor could
not be deprived except by due process OF
law, and we insist that this salutary and
natriotic provision shall be carried out
with the utmost good faith, TO correspond
with the high character OF the obligation
recognized as owing.
preceding from no position heretofore
taken, reafiirming all our previous decla-
rations on the subject, We especially de-
mand a liberal and just construction or
the laws passed for the beneht OF the
nensioner TO the end that his declining
years NAV not be harassed with doubts
born of dstrust, OF the dirhculties thrown
around him by rigorous and restricted
corstruction Of laws passed in the effort
to relieve his necessities.
NOT STRONG ENOUGH.
Comrade Semple. of Pennsylvania, de-
clarsd that the report did not go Tar
enough. The encampment should de-
mand the restoration OF every veteran
dronned from the rolls, with the pay
ment to him of every dollar or wnlch
he has been unlawfuly deprived. This
sentiment was cheered, but the report
was unanimously adopted.
There was a spirited debate over
resolution submitted by the Department
of the Potomac praying Congress to PASS
a law imposing penalty for violation OF
fine veterans pension law. The commit
toe reported against the resolution.
ballot was demanded, and the committee
was defeated, the resolution being
adopted by large majority.
batch of minor resolutions went
through with little discussion. sOne de-
cIared against ciyil-service discrimination
against veterans on accoah. OF age an
other favored an increase OF the present
nensions allowed to the widows OF ex-
soIa,ers and sailors to the uniform figure
~ so and still another condemned the
.to,ation of section 1854, Revised Statutes.
~, the removal Of veterans in govern
ment employ.
The proposal to establish a military park
nj yicksburg was approved. ana also
rssolution declaring that the Stars and
STRIPES should fioat from every school
house.
o.iebration of the organization OF the
Grand Army OF the Republic.