The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-03
Recommends the DiscOntinuance
of Pension Agencies.
WOULD SAVE MONEY.
Let the Pension Be Paid From
Washington.
Refers to Strife Between the
WOmen's Societies.


campment was the address ofComman-
der-in-Chief Walker. Gen. Walker
said:
'Comrades:-Last year the 18th an
nual encampment met for the first
time south of the beautiful river, in
the city of Louisville. The hospitality
of the people of Kentucky was I'M
bounded and we can never forget the
cordial reception extended to US on that
occasion. 1t is land of brave, gener-
Gus hearted, hOspitable men and Wo-
men. send them your cordial greet
ings and best wishes for their cOntin-
ued prosperity in their old Kentucky
home. l sincerely congratulate you
upon the fact that our peaceful progress
has led US by pleasant paths to the
northern border, and we pitch the
tents of the 18th national encampment
in this beautiful city of the northwest
on the banks of the Father of Waters
where, with united voice, we again sa-
lutte our dear country and it's flag and
bless the God of our fathers that it
was his good pleasure to permit US to
stand in the battle for its unity and to
preserve SO many of US to be partakers
of its later glOries.
sThe total membership of the C. A
R. is 385, 406, of which 340,61O are in
good standing, and 42,511 are carried
on the suspended list for nOn-payment
of dues, a decrease in this list during
the past year of 1893 The gain by
muster during the year was 13, 467. In
this recapitulatiOn the department of
Re1nSylNanla SHOWS a loss OF O,OOO
members that have been enormously
carried on the rolls for several years,
which counted in the last report. The
total loss during the year was II, 406, of
which number 1928 was by death,
which is a decrease of rs from last year.
When we take into account the great
business depression of the year, the
lack of employment and the fact that
so many of the veterans are possessed
of such a small portion of the worlds
goods, and the further fact that owing
to age and infirmities many have
been unable to attend post meetings
and have failed to pay their dues, our
membership has held its own remarka-
bly, well.
1.-The report of the quarter master
general shows our finances to be in
good condition, and that there has been
a reduction in expenses.
During my visit to New York in
November learned that a scheme to
bring together the men and the leaders
on both sides of the struggle to teSti-
fly publicly to the restoration of peace
was being agitated by few ex-confed-
| crate residents of that city who hoped
to advance their personal interests and
were seeking the support of the prom
inent professional and business men to
aid them in their plans.
THE innumerable letters and reSO-
lutions that came to headquarters
strongly indicated that the position ia
/ ken by the commander-in-chief re-
garding the wearing of confederate uni
forms was upheld to an Overw helming
extent by the enlightened and patriotic
sentiment, and the project of the pro-
posed parade was abandoned. To the
men who fought on the side of the south
and who got through fighting at APP
poTnattOx and who stand with US for
our common country, its flag and its
institutions we extend a soldiers hand.
We have recently mingled with them
| and shared their bOundless hospitality
at Louisville and Chickamauga-
THE fraternaI feeling between the
north and the south has been steadily
growing for a generation and the I'M
pleasant memories of the late war will
soon be as completely obliterated as
were the angry passions of our English
| ancestors in the great civil conflict,
known as the War of the Roses.
when house bill number 5,5449 be-
comes a law as believe it will at the
next session of congress, the unrest and
anxiety among deserving pensioners
will cease, as no pension then can be
discontinued except for fraud clerical
error or mistake of fact. We are IN
| aIterabIy opposed to all frauds, and of
course want clerical errors and mis-
/ takes corrected whenever found.
THE payment of pensions from the
| several agencies by mail having proven
! a success, why cannot all pensions be
paid and mailed directly from the in
! terror or pension department at Wash
| ington and by so doing save tWO-thirdS
| of the expense now incurred in keeping
up pension agencies in nearly every
| irnDortant state? 1t would require but
| through the mail from Washington
| than it does from the legal agency and
| would save a vast sum of money that
! could be applied to pension payments,
/ as an ex-auditOr of the treasury in
| formed me, that with so additional
! clerks in his department he could have
/ readily paid every pensloner on the
| rolls The expense of pension agencies
! last year was nearly half a million dol
The great success that has attended
| into existenc other WOmen'S Organiza-
| tons and these very naturally antag-
| onized the older organization in the af-
| lection of veterans until we have the
| hunniliating spectacle of comrades who
| fought for four years in the same fight
! and whose comradeship had been COM
| mented in so battles, now at this late
dav in life ruthleSSly torn aSunder be-
| ca11sa their wives happen to belong to
| different Woman's organizations 1t is
| human nature, and the state of affairs
| will continue until the encampment
! shall take some action that will finally
| settle the matter. Hoping to accom-
| pIish something in this direction, ap-
| pointed a committee OF hve comrades
! COMPOSED of past commanders in con-
ference. those who had passed through
| the ordeal, to take up the question and
! to see whether harmony or cOnsOlida-
| tiO0 could not be brought about and
| the trouble stopped. This committee
| will report the result of its efforts
| which I trust has been productive OF
| good, ThaI harmony III the WORK VI
| these organizations may be secured
! 1.-The Sons of Veterans are our nat
| l1raI successors. They are the reserve
! of the Grand Army. They have already
become of great assistance to our or
/ ganization and are destined to exert
! a powerful influence for patriotism and
| loyalty long after we shall have passed
| away. AS we come off guard and take
| up our line of march to the eternal
| camping grounds, we shall be more
content if the picket line is still manned
land the uniform is blue.
| Memorial day was more generally
H. .,I,eor1rol