The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-28
SERVICE PENSIONS
Demanded by the Grand Army and e
Censorship of School Histories.

Censorship of School Histories.
Buffalo. N. Y, Aug. 28.-The Grand
Army has elected its officers for the
ensuing year and the encampment of
1897 has adjourned to meet at Cincin-
natl next year.
The encampment took up the cleo
ton of senior vice chief
at the opening yesterday. Commander
Alfred Lyth of this city was placed in
nomination and was elected unan1-
mously, there being no other nomina-
tionS. The election of junior vice COM
mander-in-chi was not accomplished
until afternoon, there being four can
didates and several Interruptions to
the proceedings of the encampment by
speeches and the admission of a COM
mittee from the Wornan's Relief
Corps.
On the first ballot F. B. Allen of
Connecticut, the candidate of the Ma
val Veterans, led, with G. w. Carpen-
ter, of South Dakota, second, G. L..
Knapp of Kansas third, D. E. Ross of
Delaware fourth and ]. B. Cummings
of Oklahoma fifth
There was evidently no desire to con-
test the election beyond the first ball
lot, as on the second the delegates be-
gan going over to Mr.. Allen rapidly,
and before the roll call had been COM
pleted, the adjutant general was in
structed to cast the vote of the encarnp-
ment for him.
Mr.. David Mackay of Dallas, Tex,
was elected surgeon general unani-
mOuSly, ana kew. FRANK u. Bruner OF
the First Methodist church of Chicago
was in like manner elected chaplain-in-
chief.
Post Commander-in-chief Walker of
Indiana was presented with a silver
service by the encampment, the adj
dress being made by VIM. NJ. DIN of
Boston. A committee from the Wom-
ans Relief Corps was admitted to the
hall and presented the convention with
several beautiful floral emblems and
made brief report of the work of the
w. r. G. for the past year.
Mrs. Woodley, national president of
the Army Nurses, was also admitted to
the convention, likewise Mother" Ran
som of California, 50 years old the old
est army nurse living, and Mrs. VIM.
Scott, who spoke for the colored veter-
ans who were unable to attend the en-
campment.
Among the reports receiving favor
able consideration in the executive ses-
sion of the encampment, was that of
the pension committee. 1t recommends
a readjuStment of widows pensions
and presented a form of proof and APP
p1catlon in pension claims Substan-
TALLY the same as that embodied in the
Picker bill which has passed the house
OF representatives but not the senate.
The report stated that the present COM
missioner OF pensions had consented to
adopt new rules substantially the same
as those in force during the Harrison
administration. The report also rec
commended that congress pass a sarV-
Ice pension law to apply to all veterans
who have reached the age of 81 years
The report of the committee having
in charge the memOralizing of congress
to purchase several of the most impor-
tant battlefelds about fredericksburg
Va, and connect them by government
roads, was adopted.
The invitation of the Youn. Mems
BUSINESS association of Richmond Va
TO hold the encampment of 1899 in that
city, was received and thanks EXTEND
ed, and the association was informed
that the question could only be con-
sidered by the encampment of 1898.
Another committee reported favora-
bly, the proposition to establish nation
al parks at the battleields of Vicks-
burg, Stone River and Appomattox
The report of the committee on text
adopted.
The reports deals severely with some
OF the histories used in the south charg-
ing that they mis-state the facts as to
the cause of the rebellion and present
them from a southern view point: a re-
greet is expressed that, after an exam
nation of all the histories used in the
states that were loyal to the govern
ment, IN the opinion of the committee
none merits the unqualified indorse-
ment of the organiza ton.
The report closed with the following
recommendations:
First-That this epcamnmen+ ,1roes
the continued agitation of the question
OF improved text books in our hubble
schools that relate to the history of the
United States, especially aS RI +ha
events of the war of the rebellion.
Second-That the national encanap-
ment authorizes the appointment of
permanent committee on the subject of
teaching patriotism in our schools
which shall make a report each wear.
Ihlrd-That it be urged upon the
department of the G. A. r. and recon-
mended to the w. r. c., the S. of v.
and all kindred organizations that +bevI,
give direct and persistent attention TO
the selection of proper text books for
use IN our schools and the exclusion of
such as are improper. "a
e0YEV cuIIT NUr