The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-07
THE G.. A. R. AND PENSIONS.
COMulEUER JOHNSON EXPLAINS THE
1TTITI IN or 7HE TETERANS.


PHILADELPHIA. Sept cit was . busy day
for the members OF the Grand Army OF the
Republic and the associations affiliated with IL.
1t was decided that the next annual encamp-
ment shall uc held in Chicago. The action Of
the convention in tho morning showed that
there is little doubt Of the election OF Gen.
A bert d. shaw. of Now York. as Commander
!n-Chicf The convention opened its sessions
mt II o'clock in the Grand Opera House. Act
ing Commander Chief W. Z. johnson pre-
sided. Prayer for the continued prosperity Of
the country was made by tho ChaplaD-in-
Chief tho Rev. Daniel Lucas. OF Rockford. Ill
The question of selecting q Commander-in-
Chief was the first that was taken up. Delegate
Walker OF Indiana offered a resolution which
declared that here was avacancy in the Office Of
COMMANDMENTS Chief and moved that the con-
ypntion proceed to fill 1t at once. The resolu"
ZION passed. but there was discussion M to the
best method OF carrying out its provision. 1t
WINS finally decided to vote by reclamation and.
by vote that was unanimous. Acting Com
mender W. c. johnson was elected.
During the discussion the Acting Comman-
der surrendered the chair TO Junior Vice Com
n.nder Ross of Wilmington. Del. At the
announcement of his election he again took
the chair and from that time guided the DELHI
erations Of the assembly His first official act
was to announce the selection OF the Junior
Vice. Commander to be Senior Nice-Com-
mander. The newly elected officers were at
once invested with their rank. the ceremony
being performed by Past Commander Gen.
Louis Wagner.
In referring to the discomfort caused by the
way in which Com missioner OF Pensions
Ivans has been administering the duties of his
office. the report of Commander Johnson said
that a Com mittee on Pensions had been APP
pointed aud that they had gone to Washington
md had investigated the subject very thor
onChly THE old soldiers" said he. only ask
that there be fair dealing. and just and
fair construction OF the laws as intended by
those who enacted them. Upon this basis
there should be no question. NO Interpretation
or construction of the laws to deprive them OF
the benefits thus provided.
The amount paid for pensions Ia large. but
not beyond the ability Of the Government to
nay. nor does it outreach the obligation OF
gratitude of the American people to those to
whom it l. paid. / cannot believe that the
good loyal people Of this country are so an1-
ions for a reduction in the pension list
and the amount paid out for pensions.
that they wouli insist uron its being done in
an amer that would he unjust or unfair to its
defenders. The question Of tin Veterans place
In the public service is one that directly APP
rrals to the membership of our order. How
promotion and retention in the public service
favorable to those who did service during the
war for tho Union. and were honorahly dis
charged. is matter of deep concern to our COM
radcshp there being no National laws favor
able at present to such preterment.
Much thought and study has been given to
this important question. Suitable measures
Lave been prepared and presentedto Congress.
hut without success. Through the efforts of
Comrade Kay, Department Commander OF
New York. and Comrade Walter Thorn.
President OF the BROOKLYN War Veterans
ard Sons Association. President McKin-
lev. on July L.. 1899. issued an eXecu-
tive order to Cabinet officers. which nro-
tec's the veterans holding service in the civil
tervice positions exempted from classification
by his order OF May ~. 1890. There is no law
by which veterans are preferred for appoint
ments, except such as were discharged
from service for disability. sickness or
unds incurred in the line OF duty.
therefore deem it proper to
recommend that Senate bill No. 3256. or a
similar measure. he presented to the Fifty
syth Congress. and through the proper chan
nrI IT'S passage secured if. possible. and to this
end would recommend that committee Of
I've comrades be appointed by the incoming
COMMANDMENT Chief"
Tho report in referring to the Spanish
w., fuy n a
Nn'e' 's"" w. .,'I' M. a,i,,s
W." ~ p l''' =, ha ,iaoad on tha n,,IIic
h"-9 ~ y, w. ~ ,,id ~, thora had
,',,,i, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. uith ner,har. .,
,h'. God Arrov now rnsidont in porto Rico
,,,,t, ,ar.r,a -, th. es.ohlisbmapt of q A 2
wan w. .''e .'a.ir, - ronon,
Iuo,S - .,'a, ,Io inoon,ino Cou,n,a,dar-in-
49, LiS o,,tt,,,,a ,his ,r,rrasnonIanoa
M .,nt - tha ,d,,,ant-C.nar,, saiI tbot
I,I .yn 300 ,hara we q COZ nosts with
va 'u" t M -, oaz ~, ,nd durina m. xsor
III, 'ii'eI o"'p =, ..osnI 49,, 1891
enu."s ~ Tha ,a.h baI,n,s an h.rd
iot ,e'e 80 i'''''' -"' 0'7'
Inc convention o' N"'a' 'e'eruns was at
tended by ABOUT Eoo members near Aulh'ra,
Commanding J. f. II. foss made MS annual
report. Among the th'hes III |, was 'h's oiH d.
the men OF the "rahu army VINO nave souRh'
to belittle the work OF the navy uurins inc " ar
Of the hebeliloh
", VI.