The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-07


iosc, issued an executive order TO the Cab
met officers which protects the veterans
hoiding places In the civil service positions
exempted from classifications by his order
of May %. 1889. There is no law by which
veterans are preferred for appointments
except such az were discharged from serv'
Ice, or disability, sickness or wounds IN
CURED In the line OF duty. j, therefore
9 zee II proper to recommend that Senate
bill No. 1885,. or similar measure. be pre-.
sented to the Fffty-sixth Congress and
through the proper channel its passage sc.
cured. IL possible, and to this end 1 would
recommend that committee OF five com
rades be appointed by the incoming com
marder-in-cLief."
On the subject of the Spanish-Americar
war Colonel johnson says. in part:
The Spanish-American war, though short
In it's duration, has wrought some almost
marvellous changes and accomplished some
farreaching magnificent results in which the
survivors of the Grand Army of the Re-
public have especial reason for rejoicing
and satisfaction and, / might say, congrat-
ulation. The cementing Of the ties of ma.
tonal fraternity, the open recognition OF
the fact that We are one nation, with one
nag. ana are strong united people is es,
peci a gIastfying Il has demonstrates n6;nI
sailor stands to-day, as ever, for intelli.
gence. pluck. bravery. valor. patriotism and
endurance pre-eminent, tina. our resources
are varied and immense and can be quick
ly utilized.
The success attending the earnest ef-
forts of our comradeship in the introduc-
our public schools is a matter of much graf
ihcation. 1t cannot be questioned but that
the proper education along patriotic lines,
instilling into the minds of the youth OF
atty, love OF country and flag is one OF
the safeguards of our Nation and OF the
of our country as well as the perpetuity OF
the cherished institutions OF our land. II
ennobles and prepares for the higher duties
and obligations and the proper exercise OF
n l.
zenship.
Having learned that there were a num-
Der OF members of the Grand Army OF the
Republic. as well as those eligible to mem
bership. located in Porto Rico, Cuba and
the Philippine islands, anti with a belief
that the instituting of Grand Army of the
terially aid i'm the dissemination OF patriotic
sentiments and instiling into the minds OF
their citizens American ideas of love OF
country and flag. / began a correspondence
some three months ago with members of our
order residing at different points on these
islands. and while nothing definite has as
encouragement. and I would recommend
that the incoming commander-in-chiefc con-
tinue the effort, believing there will he
ultimate success and much good accom-
plished as a result.
c. A r. MEMBERSHIP.
Reading of reports followed Mr.. Johnsons
address. The report of Thomas ]. Steward.
adjutant general, showed that the total
membership of the Grand Army of the Re-
public in good standing June 80. 1898, was
7.2l3 posts. with membership of 305GO3; on
Dec. 81, 1895. 7.17s posts, with a membership
of 29s,747, and on June 80, 1893, 6,sO5 posts.
with membership of 2s7.ss1. Expended in
relief during the year. s16O. s55.64. The re-
port continues: 1.-The year 1880 was the
high-water mark in membership (40e, 49,
"a
crease, and IL is not likely that any year
in the future will show gain over losses,
although enough comrades and shipmates
OF the army and navy or the CIVIL war
period yet remain to make such a thing
possible. Each year shows an increasing
death rate among the membership. Surely
ing into the shadows. How important.
therefore, that with each recurring year
we apply TO the administration of the af-
fairs of the order the most practical and
business-like principles and methods. One
year ago j reported a decrease OF S346.33 In
per capita tax receivedd as compared with
the previous year, and said then the de-
crease would be greater in amount each
year. This year there is decrease OF $43l. Al
from last year; In two years NII.H. The
decrease in the sale Of supplies s.. from .rs the
The adjutant general includes in his re-
port comparative table OF receipts and
expenditures from 1850 to 1893. inclusive.
showing a gradual decrease In both these
items. The table gives the number of rep
resentatives in the encampment from the
States and Territories at ga, New York
leading with thirty-six delegates. There
will be 6S2 past commanders entitled to a
seat in the assemblage and Ill national
officers and past commanders-in-chief.
The adjutant general reviews his recon-
mendation that committee or nve revise
the blank forms of the organization.
The report of Judge Advocate General Eli
Torrance. of Minneapolis, deals with num-
Der of cases that were submitted TO him
for decision the most important one being
the deadlock following the death or Com
mander-in-chief James ~ Sexton. With
regard to this case the judge advocate says:
For the first time in the history of our
order the comma nder-in-c died while
In office and by reason thereof perplexing
questions of important import were pre-
sented to me for solution. and their care
full consideration led me 10 the only con-
clusion / could conscientiously reach. with
out resorting to what is known as judicial
legislation. II il is deemed advisable that
the vice commanders should succeed in
order of seniority 20 the office OF COM
mander-in-chief the rules and regulations
can easily be amended and apt words used
declaring that they shall so succeed In the
event of his death, resignation or removal.
FINANCES OF THE SOCIETY.
The report of Quartermaster General
Fred W. Sphinx. of Chicago, shows the fol-
lowing financial condition of the organiza-
ton:
Received from Charles Burrows. Q. NJ. G..
Oct. Z, 1898:
General fund III, i@.Zs
Southern memorial fund ............. 1858;
farr01