The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-14
G. A. R. Completes the Work of
the Encampment.
The Last Camp Fires Had Very
Large Attendance.
PENSION RESOLVES
A Liberal Construction of the
Laws is Demanded.

closed last night with as many attrac-
tons as on any other night of the
week. The ladies, however, will con-.
tiuue in session to-day. Yesterday
there were over $1,000 at the old Ken
lucky barbecue, and last night the
campfres were largely attended, with
the principal events at Music hall,
Phoenix Hill garden and National
park. Among the sperkers were Gen
erals Gordon. Buckner, ]. w. Burke,
Cassius M. Clay, Senator Burrows,
Colonels M. D. Wickersham, Samuel
Mckee, H. C. Russell, John q. Leath-
ers and others.
The veterans are going to other
army events further south, and to the
Atlanta exposition.
General Lawler and staff leave Sun
day night to spend the first part OF
the week at the national encampment
of the Sons of Veterans and the last
of next week at Chattanooga and the
Chicamauga battlefield.
independence hall will be the per
manent depository of all books,
records and relics of the Grand Army
Past Commander Wagner of Pennsyl-
vania, offered this famous old building
in the name of the people of Philadel-
phia, at the encampment and it was
accepted
Dr. ]. B. Whiting of GAINESVILLE,
Wis, was elected surgeon general by
reclamation. Rev. e. J. Hill of New
Jersey and the Rev. Thomas C. Tiff of
Utah were nominated for chaplain-in.
chief. The vote resulted in the cleo
ton of Tiff.
The ladies of the G. A. R. devoted
the morning session to considering the
action of the national meeting at Pitts
burg last year in abolishing benefits
After long discussions this action was
rescinded and the question of benefits
was left to each state department to
adopt its own laws on benefits.
The report of the committee on pen
sions, after reviewing the work
accomplished by the soldiers of the
Union during the war and the laws
passed in their behalf, says: In some
quarters the old soldier has come to
be looked upon in the light of bur-
den, instead of a great and patriotic
privilege, as he should still appear,
when viewed in his true character"
Referring to this view, wholly I'M
worthy of great and patriotic peo-
DEMONSTRATIONS have been put upon
the laws, wise and just in themselves,
by and under which burdens have
been imposed upon those al BILE to stand
under them. The just provisions au-
out as though the law passed in the
interests of the pensioner as a just
recognition of the obligation of the
country, were criminal laws, to be
strictly construed. and the public
benefciaries thereof were public enc
mics or pirates seeking admission to
the treasury of the United States
After commenting further on the
business of the pension laws, ana the
fr1r, nh ah hnr
the report continues; 1--WE demand
for our comrades the just due which
the country gladly comedies. No mig
gardly cutting down of pensions under
a guise of reissues; no partial and
grudging allowance that cut here and
there will meet the full measure of
the duty that the country owes its
surviving heroes. Nothing short
of full measure, dealt with an hon
est hand, a liberal heart will ever
meet with the appreciation of the
American people For this we appeal
to the grateful, patriotic sentiment of
the whole people, and we earnestly be-
1ieve that our appeal will not be in
vain; receding from no position that
we have heretofore taken, rea ffirming
all our previous declarations on the
subject. We especially demand lib
eral and just construction of the laws
passed for the benefit of the pensioner
to the end that in his declining years
he may not be harassed with doubts
born of distrust or the difficulties
thrown around him by righteous or
restrained construction of the laws
passed in the past to relieve his con-
dition."
The report was unanimously adopt
ed.
The camp further declared itself
against long parades and marches at
future encampments This was brought
about on account of the large mum Der
of veterans who are becoming too old
and feeble to endure them. It was
decided that a special celebration
should be held on the next anniver-
sary of the establishing of the first
Grand Army post.
A resolution was adopted empower
ing the commander-in-chief and cOun-
ell of administration to change the
place of holding the next encampment
should the railroads or hotels not
make satisfactory rates. A rule was
made permitting posts to consolidate
as membership grew less
A resolution was adopted recon-
mending that congress should pass a
law equalizing the pensions of widows
so that all shall receive at least $l2 a
month. Some of them are now re-
ceiving from So to $40 month.
The social event of the Grand Army
encampment came off last evening. 1t
was reception and ball given by the
Louisville ladies to the Grand Army
visitors 1t was held at the Audito-
rum Over 1000 invitations were is
sued, and to Judge by the crowd that
attended everyone responded in per-
son The beautiful hall was tastefully
decorated with silk flags and tropical
plants were artistically arranged
about the place. Everyone who at
tended pronounced it most enjoyable
success.
Much FASTING
AND popular suiting in fall stock at 713
Kansas avenue, Mayberry Tailoring Co