The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-07
PENSIONS REPORT.
Veterans Will Protest Against Abuses
Chicago Next Meeting Place.

Veterans Will Protest Against Abuses
Chicago Next Meeting Place.
Philadelphia, Sept 6.-The real bust
ness of the Grand Army gathering be-
gan today with the assembling of the
national encampment in the Grand
commander-ln-chief is an important
question which will be decided by the
delegates.
1t is expected that William Johnson
Of Cincinnati, acting commander-in-
chief Will be elected to fill the unex-
pired term 9f two days. This will rem
der him ineligible to candidacy for the
full term and he will be given the title
Of past commander-in-chi
The contest for the commandership
is between Col. Albert D. Shaw of New
York and Judge Leo Ressieur of Mis-
souri,.
The surgeon general, Albert S.
Pierce, reported that during the past
IS months, 11,0s3 deaths had occurred
in the G. A. r. There were, the report
stated, 1872 deserving sick and MANNED
soldiers not receiving pensions.
In government and state homes for
soldiers and sailors there were 6431 in
mates and "a old sailors and old SOL
diers in almshouses.
In his report, Daniel r. Lucas, chap
lain-in- chief, stated that there were
1922 soldiers graves unmarked. He re-
commended that as the government fur
nished headstones the neglected graves
should receive attention.
During the recess the Pennsylvania
delegation met in caucus and voted
unanimously to support Shaw for the
office of commander in chief. They also
decided to present no candidates for
office to the convention. This action was
taken for the purpose of breaking up
the practice of conceding TO the state
in which the encampment is held the
office of senior vice con- mander-in-chief.
Immediately after his election. Com
mander-in-chief Johnson was the re-
cipienI of a diamond badge, the gift of
his chief of staff, Col. w. L. Strath and
aides
The first business after recess was the
selection of a place for the next en-
campment, and Chicago was chosen by
exclamation. The report of the COM
mfttee On pensions was then read, and
a motion was made to refer it to the
committee on resolutions. This ere
dIcQ MUCH QlSCuSSlOU, IldHy u6l6SdlES
favoring the immediate adoption of a
resolution covering the evils mentioned
in the report. After a lengthy debate the
report was referred back to the COM
mittee on pensions with instructions
that a resolution embody the recon-
mendations. The report will be printed
tonight and distributed among the
delegates. Until then, it will be with
held from publication.
The complaint of the veterans, as
contained in the pension committees
report, is that the law governing the
granting of pensions Is misconstrued by
the pension examiner.
The greatest secrecy is being main
tanned in regard to the report of the
committee on pensions. 1t is known,
however, that the report begins with
an exhaustive review of the history of
pension legislation and the causes
leading UP to the present pension sys-
TEN and methods. It declares that no
class of persons bears more cheerfully
the burden of supporting worthy per-
sons than the veterans. Comrades in
encampments, 1t says, are not here to
criticise, but to discharge patriotic
duty to the country in discussing the
pension question.
The national encampment, the report
continues. has never appealed to the
country in vain, and instead of using
invectives, are appealing for men who
are all marching down the slope"
The report then cites the conditions
when in 1890 congress passed the act to
provide relief for disabled veterans and
their widows and orphans, not condi-
toned upon evidence that they were
disabled while in the service. This act
was intended to meet the needs of vet
era'na who in advancing vaara could not
furnish evidence that they were suf-
fering from the effects of army life.
It was claimed. that the original con-
struction of this law was abrogated in
1888 by most unjust and arbitrary rul
ings Of the pension commissioner in
placing the buden of proof upon ap-
plicants for pensions that they were
not suffering from disabilities
consequent upon their own vicious
habits, apd in holding that widows of
veterans who applied for pensions were
not eligible if they had an income ag-
sregating So per month.
The committee has asked the limit
debarring widows from pensions shall
be placed at not less than $3.50 a year,
and that the obnoxious ruling requiH.
ing that evidence be furnished so as to
place the basis Of pension claims
where 1t was in 1890. The Grand Army
OF the Republic, the report continues,
repudiates with emphasis the charge
that the pension roll is inflated by
fraudulent claims, and challenges any
who so believe to produce evidence.
The grand masters address was
adopted. The treasurer's report showed
that $10,33s.64 had been paid out. The
valuation of the orders property is
$54,292.72. The balance in the fund is
$685. .04.
The officers elected for the ensuing
year were: Walden Banks of Boston,
district grand master; James B. Ellis
of Boston, deputy district grand mast
err; VIM. H. Robinson Of Boston, dis
trict grand secretary; Abram Chandler
Of Lynn, district grand secretary; Geo.
A. Busby Of Worcester, district grand
director. 1t was decided to meet next
year in Worcester on the first Wednes-