The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-13

In the death of Comrade Weaver there has
gone from US a department officer who for
fve years performed the arduous duties Of
assistant Quarlermaster general in a faith
ful, conscientious and efficient manner. BY
tsle death OF Comrade Sexton We have lost
member who occupied many official places
in the department. with credit and honor"
The commander next congratsiates the en-
oampment in having secured Headquarters In
the Statehouse without cost by the thought
fulness Of the last Legislature. Following
this is an account or the consideration OF
the offices of assistant adjutant-general and
proves and recommends a continuance OF
the arrangement.
MEMORIAL DAY
After a reference to the National En-
campment at Louisville and a compli-
mentary remark concerning Commander
in-chief Walker. the commander proceeds
as follows:
There Is perhaps no event that awakens
SO much genuine patriotism among all class
es of our people as Memorial day. 1t has
become a great event In the life of the Re-
public, and it is gratifying to know that the
day is generally observed throughout every
portion of the department. There rests no
more sacred obligation upon the Grand
Army than to see that this observance is
maintained and perpetuated. What an in
spring and patriotic spectacle do We pre-
sent to the world at each recurring ami
versary OF this day, when seventy millions
OF grateful people turn aside from the busy
scenes of life to honor the memories and
strew with loving hands the first flowers of
| spring upon the graves of their patriot
| dead. Memorial day has become a great
OBJECT lesson in the school OF patriotism.
where the boys and girls Of each succeeding
| generation are taught TO appreciate the sac
| rifces that their fathers made to preserve
| for them the blessings OF constitutional lib
| erty.
while the ranks of the Grand Army
grow thinner, 1t is gratifying to note that
the membership of the Woman's Relief
Corps is constantly increasing. Too much
praise cannot be bestowed upon this un-
satv 1raeF IoT sns nope & Ts6 Work i is con- d
our unfortunate comrades and their fami-
lies. The Relief Corps has been incessant
IN IN its lanors as to to promote every needed work
OF charity and benevolence within our
ranks. During the last year they have
turned their attention and given their best
OF cottages for the the State Soldiers Home az
Lafayette. This they have done with
scarcely any recognition from the Grand
Home committee. 1t must be said to the
shame of this department and OF your COM
mander that no member Of the Relief Corps
was placed upon that committee; and yet.
be 1t said TO the lasting honor Of this order,
1t was the Woman's Relief Corps that laid
the foundation stone upon which to erect
the first cottage. They have expended for
charity during the last year in this de-
1900 s11el' :" money anu property more 'nah
The Sons OF Veterans are commended for
their good work, and the commander be-
speaks the fuller cooperation Of the Grand
Army. OF the Soldiers Orphans Home he
says:
During the past summer in company with
several department officers, / paid my first
visit to the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans
Home, located at Knightstown. 1 was not
only pleased, but greatly astonished at it's
magnitude ard the work 1t is accomplish
ing In the way Of educating and preparing
the orphans of our comrades to become USE
full and worthy citizens. They have in the
nome about $50 children, who are receiving
the benefits of thorough education in the
most every useful handicraft, so that when
they leave the home they go forth fitted to
enter every walk Of industrial life. The
home is most admirably managed, being
under the control OF copnrade Andrew H.
Graham and his accomplished wife. Love
and kindness are the only means \used by
the children and it was pleasure to see
the affection that existed between the chill
dren and the superintendent. The institu-
supported and encouraged as II has been in
the past by the Grand Army.
The most notable event that occurred In
this department during the past year has
been the location and erection Of the State
Soldiers Home at Lafayette. The building
Of this home has 1lled q long-felt want
vdes 'e hos not only for 20 pae
comrades. but for tneir wives as well. The
State most generously appropriated by an
ooo to be expended In the necessary and
appropriate buildings, and the Governor ap-
pontfa board In ,sfsss OF sha act
five members, each of whom are
members OF the Grand Army of the Repub-
Mnrpg f ae waace ana Fpser Tses
comrades at once entered upon the dis
charge of their duties. They have pushed
the the work forward with such energy and zeal
for the reception Of comrades on the lst day
OF January, 1896. These comrades are en-
titled TO the highest commentator for the
activity they have displayed in the erection
of this magnificent home without any re-
ward save that which may come to them
a noble and patriotic duty. They have spent
much of their valuable time in the erection
and completion of the buildings, and by their
energy and faithfulness in this work many
an old comrade and his wife have already
been made glad in the enjoyment of the
comforts IL affords.
zone Of my first official acts after my elec-
| ton department commander was to ap-
| point State Soldiers Home committee, con-
| sisting of thirteen members, with William
| assigned the work by the Board of Trustees
| 70 secure appropriations OF money for the
| erection Of cottages. 1t gives me much pleas
| direction of it's efficient chairman. has per-
| formed noble work. II has been tireless
in Its efforts to secure from the boards OF
commissioners appropriations for cottages,
and 1 am informed by its chairman that
| there have been appropriations for twenty
five cottages, ranging In price from $500 to
| S. 500.''
PENSIONS AND HISTORIES.
| In regard to pensions. the commander says,
| In part:
THE continued suspension of pensions of
our comrades during the last year has tend
ed to keep this subject live and vexed is
| sue in the Grand Army. So long as depart
ment officers persist in the right 10 reopen
| pension claims after being fairly and hon
| estly adjudicated should lead TO the adoption,
! at an early date of an act of Congress pro-
| justice, and we should insist on the law-mak-
| ing power of the land TO declare, in no un-
| certain language, that pension once grant
ed shall be vested right, and the claim
mistake, and not then after a lapse of a
reasonable time-say three years-and when
| a claim is assailed upon the ground of fraud
| or mistake the burden of the issue shall be
| upon the government, and * shall be tried
| by a court of justice in the jurisdiction In
would be but simple justice TO the veteran
! pensioner and would confer upon him no
! greater rights than that of the claimant
| whose cause is based upon the loss of a
have held that pension Is simply a gratu-
| ity, thereby justifying the right of one de-
| partment officer to revise and revoke the
| finding made by a predecessor and under
such a system the old soldiers. many of
whom are dependent upon their small stipend
and dread. His pension may have 49,
| passed upon and allowed six. eight or ten
| wears ago possibly-after the most search
] ing investigation of its merits, and upon
construction of the pension laws as now
| held. that claim may be reopened without
the slightest suspicion of fraud or mistake
and upon the mere whim or caprice of a de-