The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-10
Holxe Smiths HIniquitOus Rules" Not
What They Had a Right to Ex-
pect from the President.
PENSION OFFICE RIDICULED
FOR RED TAPE THAT LET'S WORTHY
PENSIONERS DIE IN WANT.
No Offense Meant Toward COmrade
Mckinley, and Both He and AIger
Enthusiastically IndOrsed.

CINCINNATI. O., Sept. s.-The work of
| the thirty-second annual encampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic was hap
rily concluded late in the afternoon to-day.
There was a small number comparatively,
in attendance in the morning, but later the
numbers were increased, and the desire to
complete the work and turn to other du-
| ties was so great that every one connected
with the business of the encampment felt
inclined to hurry, and for this reason, per-
haps, the expected discussion on the reso-
| lutions fl ON the pension committee did not
occur. The rule in almost every instance
| was to adopt reports as presented, and in
this way the pension report went through
without objection, although it was modi-
| fed later to take away any impression that
might have arisen that President McKin-
| ley was under censure. The discussions
| showed remarkable spirit, hurry earnest
ness and an unusual gift of oratory. But
above all there was a disposition to take
no radical undignifed action Com
mander-in-chef Goblin. with his rulings,
commanded the fullest respect of the en-
campment. He was prompt, intelligent and
firm in enforcing the rules and in conduct
! ing the business
While the encampment was concluded in
| the afternoon, so that the new national
| board of administration could meet with
Commander -in-chief Sexton for routine
initial work, the national convention of the
three organizations of ladies continued not
only all day, but until late tonight. They
had much more fighting over the officers
than the ex-soldiers. Their afternoon and
evening sessions were devoted to the con-
test over the division of the honors, and in
those contests Illinois carried off almost
everything. The Department of Illinois
cured the commander-in-chiefla last evening;
also, the president of the Womans Relief
Corps. To-day that State secured the presi-
dent of the Ladies of the G.. A. r., as we'll
as the vice president of the Daughters of
Veterans and one of the three members of
it's national council, and also the secreta-
ries and counselor of the Womans Relief
Corps.
The resolutions on pensions caused much
discussion and agitation. In referring to
the policy of Commissioner Evans, there
appeared the following closing sentence,
which referred indirectly to the President:
This iniquitous rule is maintained up to
this hour, and we submit if it is not such
treatment were wont never to ex-
pect from Comrade Mckinley
TANNER TO THE RESCUE.
When it was evident that the motion to
expunge this sentence would prevail, Cor
poral Tanner made a motion to amend as
follows: but we believe when the Presi-
dent is relieved from the pressing duties of
the war with Spain he will give his atten-
ton to this matter, and that it will be met
right"
This seemed to satisfy the veterans, and
the report, which contained severe ar
| 49,
nient, was adopted. The report of the COM
mittee on pensions is as follows:
your committee to whom was referred
the resolutions relating to the pension ques-
ton report that it has considered all reso-
lutions respecting the subject matter and
recommend the adoption of the following:
Resolved, That it is the judgment of this
encampment that in the administration of
the pension laws a generous and patriotic
construction should govern and the law be
administered in the spirit of justice and
fairness in which they were enacted.
Resolved, That any effort to prevent the
honest applicant for a pension from succeed
ing by any subterfuge. rule or forced con-
struction of the laws which will work injus-
tice to the applicant is TO be condemned by
all honorable men.
Resolved, That in view of the repeated
complaints of the unfair construction of the
pension law and of the making and enforce
ment Of rules which are in violation of the
law and inimical to the interest of appli-
cants impels this encampment to call on
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 liberality
Resolved, That all rules which tend to
hinder and embarrass the allowance of hon
est pension claims should be repealed, and
we ask the President that he use his au-
thority to cause those whose duty it is to
execute the laws to so perform their duty
as to do justice to the soldiers and admin
lister the law not to obstruct the prose-
cution of pensions by technical require
ments not within the province of law, and
which are only calculated to hinder and OBJ
struct in the effort to obtain lawful pen
sions.
Your committee will call attention to the
fact that two years ago the country was
stirred to its depths by complaints of the
injustice of the then administration of the
Pension Bureau. These complaints were so
specific and distinct that they furnished the
basis of political efforts. They were the
subject Of emphatic utterances by the Ma
tional Encampment Beyond doubt the po-
Iitical campaign of 1896 was largely infiu-
enced by the hope Of ameliorating the harsh
conditions then obtained in the Pension
Bureau.
HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED.
I've submit that this expected ameliora-
tion has not taken place: that in no SUBJ
stantiai instance has one of those harsh
rules been abrogated. but every one of