The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-07
FIRST BUSINESS MEETING.
Commander Johnson's Address and
Reports of Officers

Commander Johnson's Address and
Reports of Officers.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept 6-The real bust
ness Of the Grand Army gathering began
to-day with the assembling of the National
Encampment In the Grand Opera House, one
OF the most spacious structures in the city.
The delegates met in executive session at
IL O'Clock a. m. A large amount OF business
was on hand. The encampment is made up
OF 34 delegates from the various States and
Territories. los department officers. 1l3 ma
tional officers and post commanders-in-
chief and $50 post district commanders, the
total voting strength being 1.252.
The opening address was made by Senior
Vice Commander-in-chef w. c. Johnson.
II begins with a memorial tribute to Com
mander-in-chief James A. Sexton, Past
Chaplain-in-chief Rev. Thomas C. Warner
and George X. Mallory, a member OF the
National Council Of Administration, all Of
whom died during the year. With regard
TO the Sons of Veterans. he says:
"Commanders-in-chief in the past have
embodied in their reports many encouraging
words for this organization. II has now
successfully passed through the difficulties
incident to young organizations and fairly
settled down upon a more solid basis, with
more substantial and reliable membership.
Having gone safely through the formation
crisis and tested well its basis, methods and
principles, IL is in most excellent shape for
healthy. prosperous growth. Its object Is
a noble one. Into whose hands could we
more safely place the sacred trust OF carry
ing forward those great principles of patri-
otism. loyalty, love of country and her hall
lowed Institutions (Which We fought for and
cherish so dearly, than into the hands and
keeping Of our sons and daughters? As a
help TO our order I'm its declining years they
are devoted and TT cir assistance invalua ble
Ii seems clear TO me that we should foster
and encourage close relations with this
splendid young organization.
Il canpot commend too highly the efficient
work and invaluable assistance rendered to
our order by that magnificent auxiliary or
ganization, the Women's Relief Corps
When We fully comprehend the full scope
or the usefulness and charitable work per-
formed by this loyal, devoted, self-sacri.fic-
ing band of noble women in their varied
nelds OF labor, and what has been and is
being accomplished through their patriotic
Efforts. We can but express our gratitude
and appreciation In highest needs of praise.
WORK OF THE WOMEN.
In every charitable and patriotic work
OF our order we ever find the Women's Re-
lief Corps to the front with willing hearts
and hands. from the establishment of SOL
ciers' homes down to the relief OF the dis
tressed old veteran and his family, no mat
ter how obscure. i am impressed with the
fact that hundreds Of G.. A. r. posts would
not to-day be In existence but for the unit
ing labors of the relief corps. Upon Memo
rial day they are always present, and lend
helring hand by liberal contributions and
otherwise.
During the past year the national treas
urer of the w. r. c., Mrs. Bagley. for
warded to our national headquarters the
munihcent sum OF $l,02S.56 as a contribution
from the w. r. G. to the Southern Memorial
day fund. Besides this great charitable
work, they are teachers of patriotism and
loyalty to flag and country OF the highest
order, as demonstrated by their splendid
work In our public schools. Truly, the
women's Relief Corps abounds in good
and the infirmities of advanced age creep
upon our membership, and the need OF as
sistance grows more pressing, the more
will the services of the W. r. c. be appre-
ciated and the brighter will their match
less deeds appear upon the imperisha BILE
pages of our history.
Il herewith give a statement taken from
the report of the national secretary for the
present year:
Number OF members June 80. $780,. al $50
Number OF corpS...-........ 5,l0o
Amount OF money expended Tor re-
lief present year. sol ~ IL
Estimated value of relief, present
wear ,,;rncd over 20 most: 911
Expended for Memorial day. 1900. OSO0.20
Expended for Memorial day In o.s :.
southern department i.:::.-.-.-.- d'e e5s % %
Making a total of over $4,000 expended
for the year. and making a grand total ex-
pended for relief since its organization to
June 30. 1899 of Sl,013. 99l.1.
another organization OF excellent devoted
women who have aided materially in the
charitable work of our order Is that OF the
Tad no y
places rendered valuable services and de-
serve our sincere thanks.
PENSIONS.
THE question of pensions. always one OF
vital interest to a large percentage of the
membership OF our order. presents itself to
this encampment with perhaps a deeper
Significance thar ever before. The far
reaching dissatisfaction and disaffection as
20 the administration of this important de-
partment of the government had. during the
past year, found expression through reso-
lutions adopted by many posts. reunions
and state encampments. most bitterly con-
demning the present administration of the
Pension Office.
I'm view of the prevailing discomfort that
reached me from so many. parts OF the
country and the gravity OF the situation
presented gave the question much consid-
GRAFTON. and after a correspondence with
cidcd that II would be wise to have the
pension committee of the G.. A. X. meet in
Washington for the purpose OF securing in
formation, a3certainsng, as far as possible,
the grounds of the complaints contained IN
the hundreds OF letters filed with the COM
mittee and such other knowledge as could
thus be secured that would enable the COM
mittee TO prepare and present to this en-
Campment a complete report, based upon
facts and conditions they found them TO
exist. Accordingly. / directed Comrade X.
+. Brown (chairman) 10 call meeting Of
the pension committee; 10 convene at
Washington on July IL, IL and Is. the results
OF which meeting will be presented in the
report TO the encampment of the commit
tee. 1 desire to state. in commentator Of
the splendid. untiring, efficient services rem
dered by your pension committee. that they
have conscientfously. faithfully and judfci-
ously performed their duties. and am sure,
after the encampment has listened 10 the
report OF the committee IL will he we'll adj
vised upon this most important question
and prepared 10 act intelligently and wisely
In the matter.
THE old soldiers ask only that there be
fair dealing and n just and fair construc-
ton OF the laws. as Intended by those who
enacted them. and upon this basis there
should be no question. no Interpretation or
construction OF the laws that deprives them
OF tho benefits thus provided. The amount
paid for pensions Is large, but not beyond
the ability OF thc government To pay, nor
does u outreach the obligation or gratitude
o. tho American people To those whom il Is
paid i cannot believe that the good, loyal
people or this country are anxious for
reduction In the pension list and the amount
paid out for pensions that they would In
sist upon !ts being done I'm manner that
would be unjust or Unfair TO its defenders.
The question OF tho veteran I'm the public
service Is one that directly appeals to the
membership OF our order. How best TO Sc