The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-18
Commander Dodge,s Address.

The address of Department Commander
Dodge, which will be read tomorrow. con-
tains several matters of general interest
He will begin with deserved recognition
of the more than generous hospitality of the
people of Columbus and of the patriotism
and worth of the people of Bartholomew
county. Speaking of his year as the head
of the department, the commander will say:
"A large part of my time and all of nv
ABILITY have been given to the service of the
organization in the position to which l was
then elevated by your generous confidence.
Having visited nearly every county in the
State in the interest of our order the OPEN
handed welcome which has been extended
TO me as the official head of our great or
ganlzation, both by veteran and citizen, has
confirmed me in the belief that the ex-sol-
dler is ever person of grateful remenl-
brance on behalf of this people While our
membership is constantly decreasing nv viz
tue OF necessity yet it has been the good
fortune of this department during the year
than in former years. During the past four
monthS-a period not included in our mem
Dershlp report-there has been a marked re-
XlVal IN Grand Army work and interest in
the noble principles of our order. Owing
to the large number Of posts in this depart
ment, II has been impossible for your COM
mander to visit but a small portion of them
at their regular meetings, but the comrades
nave ever been ready and willing to assem-
Die. Doth at special post meetings and camp
hires either daytime or evening, and in
many instances in the forenoon, and extend
to your commander soldiers true well
come. These visits have proven source
of unalloyed pleasure to the department
officers, and no doubt will bring strength to
the membership of our noble order during
the coming year. Your commander has made
q special effort TO continue the battalion
ana district organizations of the eX-soldiers
OF our state so efficiently inaugurated by his
worthy predecessor, and would respectfully
commend the same to the administration
that shall follow, as tending to materially
strengthen the Grand Army Of the Republic
BY reason of the grand awakening in Grand
Army circles which has taken place in the
year just closed. the outlook for the coming
year is most encouraging"
Commander Dodge will call attention to
the fact that the expenses of the depart
during any recent year Among other mat
ters to which allusion is made is what he
will say in regard to membership. This will
include an interesting account of the or
ganization of a post at Notre Dame Uni
versity, composed of professors and others
at that institution who saw service. He will
reprove the apathy manifested in the pay
ment of dues all along the line. The COM
mander will urge the Grand Army. to en-
In that connection much praise is bestowed
upon the women for their efforts in keep
Ing up the observance Of the day:
While Commander Dodge will pay the
highest tribute to the Womans Relief
Corps, he is silent regarding the rival or
ganiZation which does not let an opportunity
recognition. During the past year the ex-
penditures of the Woman's Relief Corps
istrations of the local corps to the distressed
are not TO be counted in dollars. Command
er Dodge will congratulate the Sons of Vet
Grams on changing their time of meeting
so to be with the Grand Army He calls
upon the Grand Army to encourage and CO.
operate with the Sons of Veterans and trust
them.
Commander Dodge will refer to the school
history as topic OF vital Importance
while the duty of patriotic teaching in the
public schools will be eoquently urged. He
will commend the management of the In
diana Soldiers and Sailors Orphans
Home and the good work of Professor Ora
ham and wife.
AS TO PENSIONS
Commander Dodge will have something to
say regarding pensions which is so signifi-
cant that the entire text of his remarks is
given, as follows:
Upon this subject much has been said
and written, and yet its discussion in a
calm. intelligent and unimpassioned manner
will ever be fruitful of good results In
many instances, and in some administra-
tons Of the Pension Office, the ex-soldiers
their widows and orphans. have been sub
ject TO shameful treatment The laws en-
acted by a generous hearted PEE pie have
been purpOsely construed in sucti a manner
as TO bring the greatest hardship to those
whom their bounties We're intended to bene-
fit. 1t must be admitted that in many par
and yet, upon the whole. the intent Is to be
just and honorable. Recent iegislation
through the efforts of one OF Indiana's