The Topeka state journal., 1897-06-18
NOBODY'S BUSINESS,
Says Department Commander Bot
kin, How g. A. R Man Votes.

KIN. how q u. "A. 10 M an VOCG&
Department Commander Botkin of
the G. A. r. of Kansas, in a general or
der issued today appoints q large list of
aides and Incidentally scores the Grand
Army politician IN very vigorous style.
He says:
From every quarter of the state
comes the word that recruits are being
mustered and dropped members rein
stated, and that camp fires are blazing
warmly and brightly with the glow of
fraternity, charity and loyalty. There
is a decided improvement all over the
department. There is a greater and
growing interest in post meetings and a
much greater concern for the welfare of
the aged and sick.
Nov and then we hear of some post
that is not improving, or making any
effort to do so. And, there are few
which are dominated by an uncharita-
bic spirit born Of political contention
and in which the sacred name of COM
radeship seems to mean party affiliation
twithstanding that only one test can
be made for membership in the G. A
r. and that test is past and present 10y
atty to the flag and an honorable dis
charge from the Union army or navy.
One such post, however, situated in one
of the most thriving cities of the state,
has for its post commander one who
writes to the department as follows:
Since I have been post commander,
have never been guilty of asking one
single Pop to come into the post and so
help me God, never will
The suppOsition is that Mr.. BotIin re-
ferS to Newton, where new post, com
posed solely of POpuliSts has recently
been organized. Commenting upon the
sentiments of such letters as the one
referred to. the commander proceeds:
And yet that man objects because
a hundred or more old soldiers of this
locality want to form new post where
they will be welcome and can feel at
home. 1t is needless to say that a few
post would be a great blessing to the
cause of cOmradeshfp in that city or in
any other community where the exist
ing post is dominated by political hacks
and the comrades in such commune
ties can not ask for a new charter too
quick. Thank God, however, such in
stances are few and they are growing
fewer. 1t is nObody's business how
cOmrade of the G. A. r. may vote, so
long as he remains loyal to his COM
rades and flag. And, during the terms
of this present administration of the or
der the G. A. r. shall not be used by
tin horn politicians of any political par
ty for their own selfish political pur-
pOses.''
The list of aides appointed are as fol-
lows:
Allen G. Buckner, Baldwin; M. A.
Carmichael, Colony; T. R. Hornaday.
Wichita; John J. Baker, Bonner Springs;
James Lawrence, Wellington; j. M
Dunsmore, Thayer; w. H. Avery, Ell
Dorado; Alex Terrell, Attica; Al. Clark,
St. Paul; NJ. A. JordOn, Peabody; C. w
Noble. HoltOn; A. H. Williams, Green
leaf; w. F. Henry, Nickerson; G. R.
Mckee, La OTOSSSg A. 01CGOWeAA4y
Wellesville; H c. Baughman, Mona;
w H Allen, Blue Mound; N. B. Man
ming, Ft. Scott; c. c. Martin, Empor-
ia; ]. A Campbell, Severance; ]. S.
Mcdowell, Smith Center; Ed ]. Gouble-
man, Wilson; VIII. Fletcher, Clay Cen
ter; Geo. w. Trout, Wamego; D R.
Shellabarger, Toledo; Thomas KnOop,
PaoIa; N F. Graves, Springdale; A.
Sidney Chase. Ellsworth; ]. F. Buell.
St Narys; E. P. Bradley, Jetmore; w.
P. Haywood, Lakin; W. H. Houghton,
BeIoit; J. c. Kitchen, Garden City; A
H Jenkins, New Salem; G. W. Brown,
Scranton; r. B. Moore, Oketo; G. W
Bousman, Stafford; Elmer Loomis, Gil
rard; w. T. Short, COncordia; R: D.
Talbot, Parsons; John Mcpherson, Blue
Rapids; w. D. Shugart, Hope; irwin
Kincaid, Cherryvale; ]. NJ. Watrous,
Burlington; NJ. c. Harris, TonganoXie;
H. c. Swisher Lyndon; F.C. Casterline,
AxteIl; H H. McGlothlin, Pleasanton;
Henry Schad Wichita; Elmer Everett,
Partridge; w. D. Kennedy, Haven; }.
r. Palmer Wichita; David l.. ring
walt Oakley; T. J. jackson, Newton;
Geo. Randall Wakefield; W. G. BROOKS,
Topeka; c. Patterson, Kansas CITY; ana
Ed Bulloch, MuscOtah.
Commander Botkin calls upon all
comrades and others interested in con-
nection with the work of the depart
ment to cooperate with the various or
ganizations in a proper celebration or
Mother Bickerdyl1e day, July 19.