The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-28
Silver Service Presented to Past Com
mander-in-Chief Ivan n. Walk
er, of indianapolis.
EXECUTIVE SESSION WORK
REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEES ON
PENSIONS AND TEXT BOOKS.
School Histories in the South Found
to Pervert Facts, and Those in the
North Not satisfactory.

ommander-in-chief-JOH P. S. GO
BIN, of Lebanon, Pa.
Senior Vice Commander ALFRED
LYTH, of Buffalo.
Junior Vice Commander-F. b. ALLEN,
of Connecticut.
Surgeon General-DR. DAVID MACK
AYE, of Dallas, Tex.
Chaplain-REV. FRANK c. BRUNER, of
Chicago.
BUFFALO, N. Y, Aug. 27.-Night finds
the Grand Army in retreat from Buffalo.
The encampment of 1897 is over and it's COM
rades are leaving town as fast as the cars
can carry them. Band after band, followed
by weary men trudging to the railroad
stations passed down the streets at inter-
vals during the evening. Home Sweet
Home" was the usual selection and the
crowds which still fiji the streets shouted
goodbye after the departing comrades. The
last function on the long programme of
events was a reception of officers and
chairmen OF the women's citizens commit
tees at wOmens headquarters at o clock.
The commander-in-chief's headquarters
were closed at oclocl, and by $3.50 the adj
jutant generals office was dark.
To-day's session of the National En-
campment lasted from 9:15 a. m. until 3:45
p. m without intermission. Opening under
the order of business, the encampment took
up the election of senior vice commander
in-chief Comrade Alfred Lyth, of BidweL
WillSeson Post of this city, was placed in
nomination by Major A. X. Smith, the COM
mander Of his post, and was elected unan-
imously, there being no other nominations.
The election of junior vice commander
in-chief was not accomplished until after
noon, there being four candidates and sew
encampment by speeches and the admission
of a committee from the Womans Refef
Corps. On the first ballot f. B. Alien, of
Connecticut the candidate of the Naval
Veterans, led, with G. w. Carpenter, of
South Dakota second; C. L. Knapp, of
Kansas, third; d. e. Ross, of Delaware,
fourth, and ]. b. Cummings, of Oklahoma,
fifth There evidently was desire to
contest the election beyond the first ballot
as on the second the delegates began going
over to Mr.. Allen rapidly. and before the
roll call had been completed the adjutant
general was instructed to cast the vote of
the encampment for him.
| DR.. David Mackaye, of Dallas, Tex, was
elected surgeon general unanimously, and
Rev. Frank c. Bruner, of the First Metho-
dist Church of Chicago, was in like manner
elected chaplain-in-chief
SILVER SERVICE FOR WALKER.
Past Commander-in-chief Walker. of In
dianapolis, was presented with a silver
service by the encampment, the address be-
ing made by William M. Olin, of Boston.
A committee from the Woman's Relief
Corps was admitted to the hall and pre-
sented the convention with several beauti-
full floral emblems and made brief report
Of the work of the w. r. C. for the past
| oil Of
the army nurses, also admitted to the
convention, likewise Mother" Ransom, of
! California, eighty-two years old, the Oldest
army nurse living, and Mrs. William Seatt,
who spoke for the cOlored veterans who
were unable to attend the encampment.
Among the reports receiving favorable
consideration in the executive session of
the encampment was that of the pension
committee. 1t recommended a readjust-
ment of widows pensions, and presented
! form of proof and application in pension
| claims substantially the same as that en-
bodied in Tie Pickler BILL which has passed
the House of Representatives, but has not
passed the Senate. The report stated that
the present commissioner of pensions had
consented to adopt new rules substantially
the same as those in force during the Har-
rison administration. The report also
recommended that Congress pass a service
pension law to apply to all veterans who
have reached the age of siXty-two years.
The report of the committee having in
charge the memOriaHzing of Congress to
purchase several of the most important bat
tlefields about Fredericksburg Va, and
connect them by government roads was
adopted.
The invitation of the Young Mems Bust
ness Association, of Richmond, Va, to hold
the encampment of 1899 in that city was
received and thanks extended, and the as
sociation was informed that the question
could only be considered by the encamp-
ment of 1888
Another committee reported favorably the
proposition to establish national parks at
the battlefelds of Vicksburg, Stone River
The report of the committee on textbooks
used in the public schools was adopted The
report deals severely with some of the his
tories used in the South charging that they
misstate the facts as to the cause of the
rebellion and present them from Southern
view point. regret is expressed that,
after an examination of all the histories
used in the States that We're loyal to the
government. in the opinion of the commit
tee, none merits the unqualhed lhdorse-
ment of the organization. The report closed
with the following recommendations:
"First-That this encampment urge the
continued agitation of the question of inn
proved textbooks in our schools that relate
| 10 the history of the United States espe-
cialiy as to the events of the war of the re-
belliOn.
"Second-That the National Encampment
authorize the appointment of a permanent
committee on the subject of teaching pa
triotsm in our schools, which shall make
report each year
partment Of the G.. A r. and recommended
10 the Womens Relief Corps, the Sons of
Veterans and all allied organizations that
| they give direct and persistent attention to
| the selection of proper textbooks for use
| in our schools and the exclusion therefrom
of such as arc improper
COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATIONS.
Following is the new council of admins
tration: Alabama. w. Ackerston; Arizona,
| D. NJ Moore; Arkansas. G.. w Clark; Cali
fornia and Nevada, Mai. Charles A. Wood
uff. United States army; Colorado and wy
oming. w. B. l.. Carr; Connecticut. John
II. Thayer; Delaware, Edward Craig; Flor
ida. T. j. Wimarth Georgia. James O.
Ladd; Idaho, Judson Sheppard Illinois,