The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-09-14
THE ENCANPNENT ENDS.
The Boys in Blue Finish Their
Work at Louisville.
THE COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS

They Review the Work Accomplished by
the Soldiers of the Union During the
War and the Laws Passed in Their Be
half-A Monument to Nurses.
LOUISVILLE, Sept. 14.-So far as the vet
Grams are concerned, the twenty-ninth an
nual encampment closed last night with
as many attractions as on any other night
of the week. The ladies, however, will
continue in session today. Yesterday there
were over 10000 at the old kentucky bar
becue, and last night the campfres were
largely attended, with the principal events
at Music Hall, Phoenix Hill, and National
Park. Among the speakers were Generals
Gordon, Buckner j. w. Burke, Cassius
M. Clay, Senator Burrows, Colonel NJ. ID.
Wtckersham Samuel Mckee, II. G. Rus
sell, John II. Leathers and others
The veterans remain longer than usual
this week, as many are going to other
army events further south and TO the At
lanta exposition. General Lawler and
staff leave tomorrow night to spend the
first part Of the week at the national en-
campment of the Sons of Veterans and the
last of next week at Chattanooga and the
Chickamauga battlefield.
| The report of the committee on pensions,
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 a
burden instead of a great and patriotic
| privilege, as he should still appear, when
! viewed in his true character. Referring to
this view-wholly unworthy of great and
patriotic people-constructions have been
/ put upon the laws, wise and Just in them
| selves, by and under which burdens and
restrictions have been imposed upon those
| lily able to stand under them The just
| provisions authorized have been grudg
ingly doled out as though the law passed
in the interests of the pensioner as a just
recognition of the obligations of the
! country were criminal laws to be strictly
construed and the public benefciaries
thereof were public enemies or parasites
seeking admission to the treasury of the
United States"
After commenting further on the justice
of the pension laws and the purpose for
which they were passed, the report con-
tinues:
''We demand for our comrades the just
due which the country gladly comedies.
No niggardly cutting down of pensions
under the guise of reissues; no partial and
grudging allowances that cut here and pare
there will meet with the full measure of
duty that the country owes to it's surviv-
ing heroes. Nothing short of full meas
ure, dealt with an honest hand, a liberal
heart, will ever meet with the appreciation
of the American people. For this we APP
peal to the grateful, patriotic sentiment Of
the whole people, and we earnestly be-
] hot will or l,n in in
"Receding from no position that we have
heretofore taken reaffirming all our pre-
vious declarations ON the subject, we
specially demand liberal and just con-
struction of the laws passed for the benefit
of the pensioner, to the end that in his de
clining years he may not be harassed
with doubts born of distrust or the diff
culties thrown around him by rigorous
or restricted construction of the laws
passed in the past to relieve his condition" ."
The report was unanimously adopted
A resolution was adopted appointing a
committee of five to arrange for the erec-
ton of a monument at Washington to
commemorate the loyal women who served
as nurses or in other ways aided the sol
diers of the Union during the rebellion.
A resolution was adopted recommending
that congress should pass "a law equalizing
the pensions of war widows, so that all
shall receive at least S12 a month. Some
of them are now receiving from IS to $40 a
month.
The committee on resolutions reported
adversely ON the resolution asking con-
gress to fix penalty on the law regarding
the favoring veterans applying for gov
ernment positions.
The senior vice commander, surgeon
general and junior vice commander were
then installed, after which the chaplain
and commander i'll chief were in turn in
stalled.
The encampment then adjourned to
meet in st, Paul next year.
Commander in Chief Walker said that
he would not announce his staff until next
week. He will issue the order appointing
it from indianapolis.
The Daughters of Veterans elected Mrs
Ellen M. Walker of Worcester, Mass,
president.
The ladies' circle of the g. A. r. elected
Mrs. Catherine Hirsh, of Kentucky, presi-
dent.