The record-union., 1895-09-14

South, the Grand Army Encampment OF
1895 passed into history. Eight thousand
OF the leading citizens of Louisville and
visitors from abroad participated in the
function, and the array Of beautiful
women aud gorgeous toilets combined 10
create an enhancing scene.
General Lawler and Mrs. John A.
Logan and Ex-Governor Simon Buck
ner and Mrs. Wallace of Chicago gave a
reception 10 the encampment officials
and delegates while the festivities were in
progress.
The exodus Of visitors was on in earn
est all day, but tens of thousands whose
faces are turned toward Chattanooga and
Chickamauga will remain over until Sat
urday or Sunday.
In every respect the encampment has
been an overwhelming success.
When the delegates reassemD Dled to-day
several hundred lailed to respond to the
roll call, and the absentees were roundly
scored by General Lawler, who objected
to the drudgery of the work being lett
for few.
The report of the Committee on PEN
sions was listened to with profound at
tention. In part it was as follows:
The representatives of the people, in
Congress assembled. recognizing the deep
sentiment of gratitude which Justly per-
vades the entire community when re-
moved from the insolence of office, sol
emnly declared by appropriate iegisla-
ton that pension once granted upon
acceptable and accepted evidence consti-
tuted vested right of which tie pos
SCISSOR could not be deprived except by
due process of law and we insist that
this statutory and patriotic provision
shall be carried out with the utmost good
faith, to correspond with the high char
acter of the obligation recognized and ow-
ing. y 0 nation that is unmindful of its q u
ties to its defenders can expectthat hearty,
ungrudging loyalty, which is the pride
and glory of the American soldier, and
we demand for our comrades that Just
treatment that the country gladly
comedies. No niggardIy cutting down
of pensions under the gulse OF reissues,
10 partial and grudlDg allowances that
cut here and pare there with the full
measure Of due that the country owes to
its surviving heroes nothing short of q
full measure dealt with an honest hand
and liberal heart will ever meet with
the appreciation of the American people,
and for this we confidently appeal TO the
greattul, patriotic sentiment OF the whole
people, and earnestly believe that our ap-
peal will not be in vain.
Receding from no position heretofore
taken, reattirmlng all our previous dec
larations on the subject, we specially de-
mand a liberal and just construction OF
the laws passed for the benefit Of the PEN
sioner to the end that his declining years
may not be harassed with doubts born of
distrust or the diidculties thrown around
him by rigorous and restricted con-
struction of laws passed in the effort to
relieve his necessities.
Comrade Semple of Pennsylvania de-
clared that the report did not go far
enough. The eucaInpment should de-
mand the restoration of every veteran
dropped from the rolls, with the pay
inent to him of every dollar of which he
had been unlawfully deprived. This
sentiment was cheered, but the report
was unanimously adopted.
There was a heated debate over the res
olution submitted by the Department Of
the Potomac praying Congress to pass
law imposing penalty for violation of
the veterans pension law. The commit
mittee reported against the resolution,
but General Adams of Massachusetts,
General Anderson of Washington, Cor
poral Tanner of New York and Town
send of Ohio made forcible speeches in
it's behalf.
The opposition contended that it was
proposed 10 ask for such legislation as
had already been branded as class legis-
lation, and therefore null and void, A
ballot was demanded, and the committee
was defeated, the resolution being adopted
by a large majority.
A batch OF resolutions went through
with little discussion. One declared
against civil service determinations
against veterans on account OF age, an
other favored an increase of the present
pensions allowed to the widows of ex-
Il
of Sl2, and still another condemn ed the vio-
lation of Section l754, Revised Statutes,
by the removal of veterans in Govern
ment employ.
The proposal to establish a military
park al Vicks burg, Miss, was approved.
and also resolution declaring that the
stars and stripes should float from every
schoolhouse.
a resolution on Memorial Day, which
was an indirect reference to the dedica-
ton of the Confederate monument at
Chicago last May, caused considerable
discussion. The resolution was intended
to condemn the desecration of what was
termed the most sacred day of the year to
q. A. Il. men, and this excited much un-
favorable expression of opinion.
One delegate pointed to what Mr. Wat
terson said yesterday, that both the Con-
federate and Federal dead were comrades
on the other side of the dark river now,
and insisted that it was not appropriate
for the encampinent to notice the Chicago
incident.
The resolution was ultimately with
drawn.
The matter Of admitting into the GA r.
mem Oers of the order of Sons OF Veler-
ans was reported tayorabiy by the COM
mittee. This subject has repeatedly come
up before encampmentS, and at this one,
as at the others. it met with much oppo-
Sition. The discussion on the resolution
showed SO much opposition to it that in
order not to kill it entirely it's supporters
succeeded in having it referred to the
Committee on Rules and Regulations. to
be reported upon at the thirteth national
encampment at st. Paul. After this
action had been taken, an effort was made
to reconsider the vote, with q view to de-
feating the measure finally and for all
time, but this effort failed.
An adverse report was rendered on the
proposition to establish permanent head
quarters for the organization, but in favor
ofaccepting an otter TO store the archives
in the independence Hall, Philadelphia.
This completed the work on the report
of the Committee on Resolutions.
The report Of the Committee on Rules
and Regulations was taken up. In con-
tanned recommendations for but few
changes in the present laws of the order.
The most Important change advised by
the committee and adopted by the en-
campment, was with reference to the
rights OF Past Commanders. Heretofore
they have not been entitled to q vote in
the encampment. 1t was decided to