Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-08
Elected COMMANDMENT Chief
Of the Grand Army.
Hon. }. 0. Shaw Of Bath, Lieut.. Conn.,
mander Of Naval Veterans.
Grand Army Takes Important Step for ReouIa.
tion Of Pensions.

Army Of the Republic, Judge Leo
Ressieur of st. Louis, Mo, withdrew
his name as candidate for the office
Of COMMUNICATIVE Judge Res
sieur, in speech that aroused I'M
bounded enthusiasm among the dele
gates, declined to oppose Col. Albert
ID. Shaw of Watertown. \. Y. and re-
quested that the vote of the encamp-
ment be given to Col. Shaw.
Judge Ressieur was cheered to the
echo and cries Of "Ressieur for 1900
We're heard in all parts Of the Grand
opera house. The encampment elect
ed COL. Shaw by reclamation.
Irving Robbins Of indianapolis, was
elected senior vice commander-in-chief
and NJ. Minton Of Louisville, Ky, was
chosen junior vice commander VIM.
II. Baker of Lynn. Mass. was elected
surgeon general Jacob l.. Grimm of
Maryland. was elected chaplain-in-
chief.
The report OF the pension committee
which was, yesterday, recommitted
with instructions To the committee Of
laws was again represented. The re-
port was accompanied by resolutions
drafted by the committee and the en-
campment at once adopted them unan-
imously. They We're as follows:
We respectfully direct attention to
Section All of the Revised Statutes of
the United States. which reads as fol-
lows: The commissioner oc pensions
shall perform. under the direction of
the secretary Of the interior, such du-
ties in the execution Of pension ana
bounty laws as may be prescribed by
the President
Resolved. That this cacampment re-
specially represents to the President its
earnest conviction tina. rule 225 now in
practical effect il the adjudication ~
claims for pension. under section ? Of the
act Of June 2. $50. III the pension bureau.
works grave injustice to worthy ex-
soldiers ana OK sailors. and VIC express
the hope that YOU will find It consistent
with your duties rs an executive officer
to abrogate this rule and rc-esta5l!sh the
principle as defined IN rule 1871. Under
the operation of rule 1Gi. formulated and
put into effect soon after the passage Of
this act, unquestionably responsive -
public sentiment and based upon sound
legal propositions in a word, the simple
expression Of the letter and spirit Of the
law. 100000 names were added to the pen
sion roll of the republic and to which no
objection was heard for years after rs
PRONUNCIATION.
Resolved. That this encampment re-
spectfully represents that the practice in
the pension bureau in barring widow
claimants who have an income of $50 a
year is not warranted BY the terms Of
the law. and We warmly endorse the
recommendation Of the commissioners of
pensions 70 successive secretaries Of the
interior that the limitation be increased
to $3.50 year.
Resolved. That the commander in chief
appoint Il committee of five comrades 70
present to the President a certified copy
Of the action OF this national encamp-
ment, with an expression Of our earnes.
desire for justice only TO our disabled
comrades and the widows and orphans
and our dead under the letter and spir..
of the law.
Resolved. That this committee is here
by authorized and directed in the event
that it is determined that relief may not
be accorded by the administrative officers
of the government. TO present to Con-
gress n request for the amendment OF the
law in such form as to make certain the
true intent of the statute as we believe
it can be construed as herein presented.
The report was signed by r. b. Brown
J. w. Burst. John Palmer and Charles
Clark Adams. The committee as sug-
gested in the report was appointed con
sisting Of the four signers Of the report
together with Gen. Daniel l.. Sickles of
New York. The committee on resolutions
ma do .nri- aY,l ,,,;,,
ity report.
The important point embodied in the re
ports was that referring to the examina
ton of the soldiers widows who applied
for pensions. The majority report stated
that the widows were asked if their lives
had been virtuous after the death of their
husbands The report suggested that such
questions be condemned. The minority
report sal. that if questions Of that ma
ture were asked this method of examina
ton should be condemned by the Grand
Army of the Republic.
Delegate Benicile went to the telephone
and asked Pension Commissioner Evans
if it was a fact that this question was
asked. Mr.. Evans replied that where
charges were made against applicants
they were required to answer questions
feid tlnS 10 the charges Otherwise no
questions of the nature mentioned were |
put to the applicant.
Corporal Tanner was one of the major |
ity of the committee. He made an ad |
dress scoring the practice alleged to have |
been adopted by the pension bureau |
After much heated discussion the reports |
were referred to the committee on pen !
sions. Later in the afternoon, a motion |
was made to return to the South flags |
captured during the war. This was killed. |
as was also n motion to admit Sons of |
Veterans as members of the Grand Army |
of the Republic. Shortly before the ad |
journment Adiutant General Thomas J. !
Stewart of Pennsylvania, was reappointed |
The newly elected officers We're in
stalled. Gen. Louis Wagner of this city, |
past commander in chief. conducting the |
ceremonies. after which the encampment !
sine die.
The illumination of the North At
CONTINUED on page p