The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-07
SHAW ELECTED.
Unanimously Chosen Command
er-in-chief of q. A. II.
Missouri Candid ate Retires
From the Race.
INDIANAPOLIS III A n.
Irving Robbins Made Senior
Vice Commander.
NJ. Minton of Louisville Given
the Junior Grade.
INDIANAPOLIS MAN

Philadelphia, Sept AT today's
session of the national encampment OF
the Grand Army of the Republic Judge
Leo Ressieur of st. Louis withdrew as
candidate for commander-in-chief
and Col. Albert D. Shaw of Watertown,
N Y, was elected to that office by ac-
clamation.
Albert Duane Shaw was born in the
town of Lynn, Jefferson county, N. Y,
December q, 1S41. He graduated from
ST. Lawrence university In 1867. While
a student at Union academy, Belleville,
N Y. in May, 1861, he enlisted in the
35th New York volunteers. He served
as a private and non n-commissioned o1h-
Ger until 1868, then as recruiting oflcef-
He was a member of the New York
assembly in 1866; consul at Toronto
1S7S-S6; colonel 36th regiment National
Guard 1S67-8 He was a delegate to the
G. A. r. encampment in 1886 ana de-
partment commander in 1878
Judge RaSSieur in speech tnaI
aroused unbOunded enthusiasm among
the delegates declined to oppose Col;
Shaw, and requested that the vote OF
the encampment be given to his op-
ponent AS he took his seat after with
drawing from the contest he was cheer-
ed to the echo and cries of 'Rassleur
for 1900" We're heard in all parts of the
Grand Opera House.
The encampment was called to order
at 10 O'Clock by COmmander-in-Chief
-
the delegates proceeded to nominate
candidates for the various Offices
After Col. Shaw's election the dele
gates proceeded to make nominations
of senior vice commander and the
name of Irving Robbins of Indiana was
presented. At this point the business
of the encampment was Interrupted by
the arrival of delegations representing
the Woman's Relief Corps, Army
Nurses and Sons of Veterans and
brief reception was held.
1t was expected that after the visit
ing delegations had left the pension
question would be taken up Instead,
however, the delegates proceeded to the
election of the remaining officers.
Irving Robbins of Indianapolis was
elected senior vice chief
and NJ. MintOn of Louisville, Ky, was
chosen junior vice commander Viii
liam H. Baker, of Lynn, Mass, was
elected surgeon general.
Jacob L. Grimm of Maryland was
elected chaplain-in-ch chief.
REPORT ON PENSIONS.
The report of the pensions committee
which was yesterday recommitted with
instructions to the committee to en-
body therein the desires of the encamp-
again presented. The report was ac-
cOmpanied by resolutions drafted by
the committee and the encampment at
once adopted them unanimously They
We're as follows:
Your committee on pensions respect
fully presents this supplemental report
pursuant to the instructions of the en-
campment:
I'VE respectfully direct attention to
section All of the revised statutes of
the United States which reads as fol-
lows: The commissioner of pensions
shall perform under the direction of the
secretary of the interior such duties in
the execution of pension and bounty
laws as may be prescribed by the pres
ident.
Resolved, That this encampment re-
spectfully represents to the president
its earnest conviction that rule 225. now
in practical effect in the adjudication
of claims for pensions under section =,
of the act of June p, 1890, in the pen
sion bureau, works grave injustice to
worthy eX-sOldiers and eX-saiIors. and
we express the hope that you will find
it consistent with your duties as an ex-
ecutive officer to abrOgate this rule and
re-establish the principle as defined in
rule 164. Under the operation of rule
164, formulated and put into effect soon
after the passage of this act, unques-
tionably responsive to public sentiment
and based upon sound legal PROPOSE
tions, in a word, the simple expression