The Mena star., 1898-09-14


The members in good standing June
30, 1897, numbered $40. 456. The gain
during the year was by muster
in. 1920; transfer, 4,275; reinstate-
ment. 1887; from delinquent reports,
A,551: total, SO, 453. The losses were: BY
death, 1883; honorable discharge, L.
100: transfer, 4,47I; suspension, 25,033;
dishonorabie discharge, 1865; by delin-
quent reports, 7,o4l; by surrendering
of charter, 1,025; total, 40, 500. So the
mcmbcrs in good standing June 80,
1895, mum ered 3o5, 6o3 The amount
expended in charity during the year
was SIT, 1908.
The report of the committee on PEN
sions is as follows:
Your committee to whom was referred the
resolutions relating to the pension question
rcports that 1t has considered all resolutions
respecting the subject matter and recommends
the adoption Of the following:
Resolved. That In view OF the repeated COM
plants OF the unfair construction OF the PEN
sion law and Of the making and enforcement OF
rules which are In violation OF the law and in
fmical to the interest of applicants impels this
encampment to call upon Comrade William
Mckinley. president of the United States to
exercise his authority and to see that the law
is executed in spirit OF fairness justice and
liberaiity.
Resolved That all rules which tend to hinder
and smbarrass the allowance OF honest pension
claims should be repealed and We ask the
president that he use his authority to cause
those whose duty IL is to execute the laws to so
perform their duty as TO do justice to the sol
dicrs and administer the law so as not to OBJ
struct the prosecution OF pensions by technical
requirements not within the province of the
law and which are only calculated to hinder
and oDstruct ia the effort to obtain lawful PEN
EionS
Resolved. That the rule of the pension ONCE
by which widow is debarred from pension IL
she has an income Of 800 per year Is unjust
and we ask the president that the order be alb
rogatcd and the minimum income debarring
x.es.. pensions be |. we'd not less than s2nl
annum In this connection we desire to inform
the president that very early In his adminls-
fration II was announced by high Official in
the pension ONCE that the widows limit would
dc raised to 1900. but 1t never materialized.
Resolved, That ask for the re-establish-
ing Of order 1854. which was enforced under the
Harrison regime This order, in simple terms.
took cognizance In rating mans pension of
all the disabilities he suffered under 1t was
abrogated by the last administration. and it
was held that TO be entitled TO the lowest rate
OF 10 per month comrade must have one dis
ability which Is rated at that amount If he
has three disabilities rated at "a each he gets
no pension at all. This Ubiquitous rule is
maintained up to this hour. and we submit it
Is not SUCH treatment as we had right to ex-
peet from Comrade William Mckinley.
The report was adopted.
The encampment eulogized President
Mckinley and Secretary Alger in the
following resolutions:
Resolved That from knowledge formed Of
our experience soldiers during four years of
active service we recognize the unfaltering
energy and patriotic devotion with which as
secretary OF war. Gen Alger has borne the
weisaty responsibility and performed the inn
portant duties suddenly imposed by the recent
war with Spain, creating and maintaining so
large an army under such unfavorabe condi-
lions the deeds of which not only shed luster
on the American soldiers. but also challenges
rbe admiration Of the world.
Resolved, That the Grand Army OF the Re-
public has watched with pride and satisfaction
the wise, conservative, unselfsh. patriotic and
statesmanlike manner in which our honored
comrade. William Mckinley as president of
the United States has met every demand
which the recent trouble with Spain imposed
upon our country; that his wisdom and pru-
dence in his endeavors to preserve peace with
honor as well as the vigor and patriotic order
with which our army and navy were equipped
for the conflict, when the war became immi-
nent have won our hearty and unreseryed ap-
proyal and commentator; and, rejoicing In
the glorious termination of the conflict in
which our country has been engaged, we here
by express our gratitude, not only to our dis
finguished comrade the president but also to
the officers and men in the land and naval
forces for their heroic conduct and sublime
achievements for humanity and the glory OF
our flag and country.
The application by the Ladies' Re-
lief corps for permission to amend
their constitution so as to enable
them to use relief funds for the benefit
Of soldiers of the Spanish American
war was acted upon favorably by the
cncampment.
The proposition to make eligible to
membership in the Grand Army SOL
dicrs who have served in the war with
Spain was laid on the table.
The Cortea Authorizes Peace.