The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-09-10
West Virginia, George ]. Walker; Wash
;nuton and Alaska Thos M Young.

Past Commander-n-Ch Chief Palmer, OF Ne"
York. moved that inasmuch as the Mayor
and city officials of Buffalo, who were IN the
CITY with an invitation for the Encampment
of 1897. were anxious 10 return home as soon
as possible to resume their official duties,
they now be accorded the opportunity OF
presenting their invitation. The motion
prevailed, and Anselm Smith was recognized
to present Buffalo's invitation, which ne ala
in short but eloquent speech. =,
When he had concluded, and half the del
epates were on their feet shouting Tor Bui-
falo, Gen. Alger moved that Buffalo DE
selected for the place of meeting OF the next
Encampment. However, Comrade Carr, oil
Colorado, prevented such precipitate action
by requesting that Denver be privileged to
present her Invitation at o'clock. This
suggestion prevailed and recess was taken
to that hour.
Upon reassemblng Comrade Vaughn was
heard in behalf of Denver, extending the IN
vitation of the city and State and Of other
cities and commercial bodies throughout the
State When he had concluded, Gen. Alger
renewed his motion for Buffalo. MI. Vaughn
moved the substitution OF the name OF Denver.
This motion was then lost by an overwhelm-
ing vote, and before Gen. Ayers motion
could be put Mr.. Vaughn moved that bui-
falO be made the unanimous choice OF the
Encampment, and the motion prevailed with
a hurrah.
The remainder of the afternoon was gwen
over to the consideration of reports from
various committees. Many of the commit
tees to whom had been referred the reports
of the officers, reported in favor OF adopting
the recommendations contained In the re-
ports. Mrs. Lizabeth Turner, PresIdent OF
the Woman's Relief Corps, presented q re,
port showing in detail the sums expended
in the various Departments by her organlza.
tion in relief work.
The Ladies of the G.. A. r. made verbal
report The differences that have existed
between these two organizations ever since
the latter was organized were made the SUD-
ject of q special report signed by John U.
B. Adams, A. G. Weissert, Thomas U.
Lawler, and Matt II. Ellis, members OF the
committee appointed at Louisville. Inc
report details the formation OF the TWO or
CARNATIONS, and refers to the constant
trouble arising in the various Departments
over the existence of rival organizations,
and concludes by an unqualified indorse-
ment of the Woman's Relief Corps, In tue
following terms: "While we do not desire
to compel, we strongly urge that all should
lief Corps, and that the Grand Army OF the
Republic and their faithful auxiliary move
forward in their great charitable work for
the relief OF our suffering comrades and
those dependent upon them." The Id
campment adopted the report.
The Committee ON Pensions then sub
| mitted its report, as follows:
REpoRT OF COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS.
We report with sorrow that the condition
Of uneasiness and unrest with respect 10
pensions and the condition of the pensloner
that has obtained for the last three years still
measurably continues.
| The Grand Army Of the Republic in Its
| Encampment held at Indianapolis in 1893
| voiced in no uncertain language its senti-
mens and those Of the great majority of the
| people in regard to the bigh-handed treat
ment which the Nations heroes were receis-
| ing at the hands of the servants of that peo
| pie, temporarily intrusted with the admins
| tration of public afflirs, and that expression
struck q responsive cord that left no doubt
as to what the people desired.
/ At the first session of Congress thereafter
it was formally enacted that pensions there
tofore or thereafter to be granted should OF
deemed and held 10 be vested right to ths
| extent that payment thereof should not bt
| withheld or suspended until after hearing
by the Commissioner of Pensions OF all tht
evidence upon not less than so days notice
containing the full and true statement o
any charges or allegations upon which th'
granting of the pension was sought to be II
any manner disturbed or modified.
An honest, intelligent obedience to thi
salutary provision OF law would have re
lieved the tension and restored to the pen
sioners confidence in the justice that wa
being meted out to them but SO far from
that being the case, the administration o
the Pension Bureau has been continued a
/ though the provision referred to was bu
| waste paper, and the feeling of uncertainty
! and doubt has been but slightly, if to an,
extent, allayed.
Ii is in vain that wise, just, and patriotl
laws be passed if they are to be administered
with IAN evil eye and an unequal hand"
remedial laws are to be administered n
though they were penal statutes; if in thei
administration fraud is to be presumed ant
honesty taken as the exception, the cOndi
tioa of the beneficiary is identically th
same as though the laws were enacted upo
the same narrow and contracted basis, AM
neither gives to the surviving soldier or t
his widow and orphan that n, asure whic
is the just desert of him who bore the bur
den and heat Of battle" and which it is tn
desire and intention OF the American peopi
to have measured out to him.
Your committee met and consulted wit
the Committee on Invalid Pensions OF tn
; 54th Congress in January last, and afte
carefully considering House Bill No. 5549
, which was drawn for the purpose and wit
the intention OF, SO far as possible, restrict
ing the hostile administration OF the Pen
sion Bureau, aud Of compelling fair an
liberal construction and enforcement of til
laws OF Congress on the subject of pensions
we submit herewith au analysis OF tina
! bill. With the exception OF the first an
, 14th section, as to which your commltte
did not feel at liberty to express an opinion
whether of approval or disapprOval, the bi
then pending met with our appreciation, an
? we urged its speedy passage
The House OF Representatives, more clOsel
in touch with the great body and great hea1
of the people, and coming from more reeer
I, contact with their constituents, promptl
; passed the bill; but the Senate, notwitf
standing the efforts made by us i'll that d
reciion, have so far not acted on the bill
which is still pending. aud i'll the absence {
such enactment an unsatisfactory conditio
still obtains in the administration OF th
: Pension Bureau.
: Justice long delayed becomes injustice
/; the inso,ence of Office and the laws deia
mean suffering, anxiety, and injustice
: those for whom every instinct Of humanit.
:. every feeling of patriotism, every deman
; for instice cry aloud for prompt relief