The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-17
EX-S0LDIERS AND SONS.


The Mckinley camps of Veterans and
Sons of Veterans constituted so powerful
an organization in this and other States
during the last campaign that the project of
making it a permanent organization has
since been discussed and subsequently de-
termined upon. Yesterday afternoon forty
representatives of the thirty-one camps in
the State which now have a permanent
organization met to form a provisional ma
tional camp The following declaration Of
principles was adopted:
believing that the interests of the whole
people are best served By the success OF
the Republican party, We hereby piedge
ourselves TO support the wise and judi
ciously-adminis tered policies of the party.
We further pledge ourselves to support
for nomination and election 10 office Re
publican candidates who are Union sol
diers and only such candidates as will APP
prove the principles of this order and
pledge themselves to support, protect and
defend the interests of Union soldiers and
their widows and orphans.
I'VE are in favor of a righteous enforce
ment of the United States law giving the
preference in government appointments TO
the veterans of the war for the Union.
I'VE favor the passage OF law exempt
ing soldiers from the present system OF
civil-service examination, requiring only
physical qualifications. supported by proper
recoinmendations as to character and ca
pacity for the official duties required.
I'VE demand that the present law or the
United states giving preference to the sol
diers in the public service be so AMENDED
that a penalty shall be attached for the
dismissal of soldier from the public serv-
ice. either by forced resignation or other
wise, except upon written charges.
knowing as we do that the past four
years of Democratic rule have been signal
lied by most unwarranted and cruel war
fare upon the rights of pensioners and
acted by Republican administrations. and
that said laws have been so far as possible
nullified by misconstruction and rules and
orders regulating evidence and liking rates
whereby thousands Of veterans and their
heirs have been deprived of pensions law
fully belonging to them, bringing want and
wretchedness to many OF the men VINO I'M
perilled their lives for the Union. We de-
mand that Congress pass a law which snail,
first, define and construe the act OF June,
1890. so that it may be executed IN Its spirit
and intent SO that disabilities not due to
vicious habits shall be rated as are like dis
abilities under the general law; second.
abols hing the system OF espionage adopted
by the present administration OF the pen
sion bureau; third. giving the same weight
TO the testimony of an enlisted man as 10
an officer; fourth. empowering the COM
missioner of pensions TO remove surgeons
from examining boards or to establish new
boards as he deems best for the ef1ciency
of the service; and, fifth, giving TO each
soldier regularly mustered into the service
and honorably discharged a service pension
of SO a month in all cases where no pension
has been granted, and Sl2 month AFTER
SiXty-two years OF age.
The foregoing declaration of principles
was adopted as we'll as a code of regula-
tions for the organization of camps. The
official title adopted is 1.-The National Re-
publican Camp of Veterans and Their
Sons"
Upon the adoption of the declaration OF
principles and the rules and regulations
the following officers of the provisional ma
tional camp were elected:
President-Lew Wallace, of Crawfords-
Vile.
Vice Presidents-John Coburn of Indi-
annapolis: John w. Skiff, of Lebanon; d. III
Secretary-C. NJ Travis, of Crawfords-
vile.
Assistant secretary-E. G. Booz. of In
dianapols.
Treasurer-W. ii. Lester, of Indianapolis
Sergeant at-arms-W. j. Harris. colored
Chaplain-Rev. ID. r. Lucas. of Indian
apolis.
ON taking the chair General Wallace
spoke briefly OF the influence of soldier or
ganiZations in the late campaign and the
Importance of extensive and thorough or
ganiZation to enable the eX-soldierS to be
effective in politics and TO make sure that
nored. After the organization of the pro-
visional national camp a State camp was
tions adopted. The following officers were
elected:
President-Thomas Hanna. of Indianap-
oils.
Vice Presidents--J. T.. Twiname, Indian
apolis; w. b. Hess. Plymouth; Frank
Woodmansee son of veteran, Seymour.
Secretary-D. II. Oliver, indianapolis.
Assistant Secretary-Newt. NJ. Taylor, In
danapolis.
Treasurer-James NJ. Mitchell, Lafayette
Chaplain-Rev. ID. L. Mackenzie Indian
apOliS.
Sergeant-at-arms-M. r. Buchanan, In
dianaDols.
Committees were appointed TO raise funds
10 enable the officers 10 push the organiZa-
ton. In this State there are thirty-one
Mckinley camps in a State organization
which we're made the members OF the In
diana camp. General Grant birthday has
been made the day of the annual meeting