The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-08
Rule 225, Now in Practice, Condemned
and the President Asked TO Re-
Establish Rule 164.
WIDOWS NOT PAID ENOUGH
RAISING OF THE LIMIT To $3.50 A
YEAR RECOMMENDED.
Committee OF Five Appointed to seek
ReIief-Naval veterans-Warships
IlIumfnated-Ex-Pri

PHILADELPHIA. Sept. THE thirty
third National Encampment Of the Grand
Army of the Republic came to an end
tonight. The election OF COMMANDMENTS
chief. which. 1t was supposed. would be
settled only after a warm contest, was con-
Quoted and carried out In the most peace
able manner imaginable. Colonel Albert ID.
Shaw. of WATERFOWL. N. Y, was unani-
mously elected 10 the highest Office OF the
organization after Judge Leo Rassieur, or
st. Louis, had declined to be a candidate.
Early In the campaign there were three
candidates. w. C.sJohnson. of Cincinnati.
who was acting commander-in-chief, was
first mentioned and the names OF Colonel
Shaw and Judge Rassieur later became
prominent. Johnson's boom was ended yes
terday with his election to the office for the
unexpired term OF the late Commander Sex
ton, lasting two days. This rendered him
ineligible to candidacy for another term.
and with the election of Colonel Shaw he
becomes a past commander-in-chief. The
friends Of Colonel Shaw and Judge Rassieur
claimed the victory until the Missouri vet
eran at to-day's session of the encampment
withdrew from the contest in favor OF his
New York opponent.
Aside from the selection Of a commander
in-chief the pension question received the
major portion of attention. Resolutions
were adopted that Rule Us. now in prac-
tice, was a hardship in that 1t required
proof of identity and injuries. which many
OLD soldiers could not furnish, and ask
ing that the President re-establish Rule
l64, which Is not so stringent In its
requirements. The resolutions also de-
plored the practice In the Pension Bureau
which bars widows who have an income
OF $50 year and asks that the limitations
be increased to $3.50 a year. Pursuant TO
the resolutions a committee OF Ave was
appointed to seek relief from the admins
trative officers and, failing there, TO ask
Congress to amend the law In favor Of the
veterans.
Chicago secured the next encampment and
1t is expected that Judge Rassieur viii then
be elected commander-in-chief.
The features to-day. aside from the meet
ing Of the encampment, were the ilumina-
ton OF the North Atlantic squadron and the
campfire of the Union ex-prisoners or
war, both OF which took place tonight.
The lighting up OF the feet drew large
crowds to both the Pennsylvania and New
Jersey shores Of the Delaware river. The
ships were literally covered with electric
lights and presented q magnificent picture.
The big searchlghts on the vessels were
also in operation. making the illumination
more effective. The cruiser Detroit re-
ceived considerable attention from the
crowds by reason Of the order sending her
to Venezuela TO protect American interests
there.
The Academy OF Music was crowded to
the doors tonight by q. A r. men and their
friends 10 take part in the ex-prisoners'
campfire. Addresses were made by Gov
ernor Stone of Pennsylvania, Mayor Ash
bridge of this city, Ex-Governor Robert L.
Pattison, Lieutenant Colonel James K. Bar
nett OF the Tenth Pennsylvania Regiment.
General John c. Black OF Illinois, United
States Senator Penrose and number Of
others. There were numerous reunions
held and the illumination of the Avenue OF
Fame" and the fireworks display at Camp
James A. Sexton was continued tonight.