The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-22
KANSAS NEWS.
G.. A. R. Encampment Bitter on
Pension Commissioners Evans.
Usage County Post Demands
His Removal by Mckinley.
HE is TTRANNICAL.
I'D. w. Eastman Chosen as De-
partment Commander.
Topeka Given Fall Reunion on
First Ballot.
HE is TYRANNICAL.

Wichita, April 22--Topeka was select
ed on the first ballot here yesterday as
the place for holding the fall reunion
The next encampment will be held at
Hutchinson, the only town that wanted
it.
The contest for department conman-
der was spirited, and up to noon it was
generally conceded that either A. W.
Smith of Mcpherson or Rev. W. R.
Blair of Dunlap would be elected At
the noon recess, however, Cy Leland,
Maj Hood and a number of others from
northeast Kansas took a hand, and D.
W. Eastman of Emporia was elected on
the third ballot by a vote of $50 to 16S
over Smith, the only candidate remain
ing in the race on that ballot Other of
fcers were elected unanimously as fol-
lows:
Ben Pagan of Ellsworth, senior vice
commander; W. E Morris, Winfield,
junior. vice commander; B. F. Baker,
Beloit, chaplain
The Ladies Aid society selected state
officers as follows.
President Mrs. Dora Rogers. Empor-
ia; vice president, Mrs. DemOreSt Jones,
Pittsburg; chaplain, Mrs R Cove, Gil
rard; chief OF staff, Miss Pearl Lilly,
Chanute; delegate at large to national
encampment, Miss Annie Popes, Wich-
ita; inspector, Mrs. OEtcalt, Burlington
At o'clock a parade of 5000 veterans,
school children and citizens took place
on Main street and Douglas avenue.
John Redmond OF Wichita was elect
ed department commander of the Sons
of Veterans over Tracy Leonard of
Lawrence by a vote of So to 80.
The E ?. Sheldon post, No. IS, the
largest post in Usage county, memorial
ICES the encampment with bitter ar
raignment of Pension Commissioner
Evans. charging him with ruthIessly
and needIessIy wounding the sensibili-
- I, L.
uations that everyone of them. who ap-
plies under the laws of his country for
d pension. and having been examined
and placed on the rolls, has done so
through a fraud and Misrepresentation
BY this method, the memorial contin-
ues, he attempts to make the pension
roll dishonor and a disgrace 1t adds:
I'VE charge him with permitting the
public prints and journals to reviIe and
cenSure without cause the surviving
heroes of the civil war and the defense
less widows and orphans of our dead
comrades without rebuke- We charge
him with inexcusabIe delay in the con-
sideratfon of neritorious applications;
we charge him with a lack OF candid
and free judgment in establishing rules
in his department which are intended
to delay conclusions upon applications;
we charge him with unjust and unman-
" criticism of a large class of pension
attorneys, when, through discrimina-
ton. he insinuates that they present
perjured testimony in support Of
claims"
Immediately upon the reading of the
paper Judge Thompson of Burlingame
introduced a resolution requesting
President Mckinley to remove the pres
ent pension commissioner at once and
place in his stead a man who is conpe-
tent and worthy
This brought on a storm of applause
Commander Botkin, on motion, re-
ferred the memorial and resolution TO
q committee composed of the following
mem Senior Vice Commander s c.
Wilson. c. B. Graves of Emporia, G. M
Stratton of CLAY Center. F. P. Cochran
of Cottonwood Falls and Judge Thomp-
son of RurlingaTne-
The fight on the resolution was fierce
and is yet undetermined, the special
committee to whom they were referred
having not yet reported
Endeavor is being made by the oppo-
nents of the measure to hold their men
in line believing the resolution will not
1t is said that the principal opponents
are Cyrus Leland and ex-Congress-
man W. A CaIderhead.
Last night a big campfire was held
at the auditorium and a brilliant dis
play of fireworks made from the tops
of the business blocks Cash Hender-
son. the big dry goods merchant had
Cuban scenes thrown from a projecto-
scope upon the front of his building.
and the crowd sang Wen Hang Old
WeyIer on a Sour Apple Tree"