Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-30
Grand Army Convention Labors
from Morning Until Night
Listening to Reports from Officers
and Committees.
Veterans Formally Welcomed to CHICAGO by
Mayor Harrison.

who Were not burdened with the re-
sponsibilities attending the position OF
delegate to the convention of tho
| Grand Army it was day for anything
and everything but business. From
morning until night the convention lab
ored at its work in Studebaker hall,
listening to numerous reports from Of
ficers and committees, while the vast
majority of the old soldiers went to
the parks, took boat rides upon the
lake and those who had not seen blood
enough in their younger days, accept
ed an invitation from the packers to
visit the stock yards, where they be-
held more slaughter than had taken
place at the Bloody angle" at Spott-
sylVania and in the Bloody lane" at
Antietam combined.
The conventional open. at 1890
o'clock. and from the start business
was pushed with energy. The opening
session was entirely Of a social char
acter and was open 70 the public. The
afternoon meeting was OF an execu-
tive character.
The meeting was reopened with prayer
by Chaplain Granin. The audience rose
and remained standing during the
prayer.
Mayor Harrison then formally wei
coined the soldiers to Chicago His ad-
dress was happily received Command
er-in-Chief Shaw replied, expressing
the thanks Of the army for the hospital
ty shown them.
As General Shaw resumed his seat. j.
NJ. Longnecker. commander Of the de-
partment of Illinois, rose to greet the
visiting veterans in behalf Of the sol
diers of Illinois. tie made speech
which evoked much applause Gen.
Louis Wagner, who responded for the
members of the army was no less felic-
itous in his reply. expressing the graft
tude Of his comrades 10 the men of Hi
nois. This closed the meeting of the
morning Gen. Wagner. Commander
Longnccker. Mayor Harrison and Gen.
Shaw then held an Informal reception
The convention reAssembled, at z
O'Clock in the afternoon, ana this time
there We're no prcliminaries. The action
was opened at once by Cen Shaw. who
read his annual report.
Following the address of Gen. Shaw
came long list Of reports submitted
by the minor officials and the various
committees Of the organization. The
reports read We're of executive com
mittee, council of administration, Ad-
Jutant General Stewart. Quartermasteg
Gen. Atkins, Surg. Gen. Baker Chap
lain-in-Chief Grimm Judge Advocate
Gen. Torrance. Senior Vice Command
er-in-Chief Minton, Custodian Hol-
colinb and Inspector Gen. Cummings
The committee on legislation for Vet
Grams on public service. regretfully
but necessarily reported progress.
AS the result Of war, two obligations
We're incurred. One was financial. 1t
required money, principal and inter
est 10 liquidate this. And the promise
TO pay was well kept. The other was
a sacrifice, to be cancelled by graft
tude, not in eloquent words. but acts.
To care for him who has borne the bat
tie. the widows and orphans of the
fallen, and to suitably recognize those
who survived. How? Pensions TO
those who deserved them a reasonable
preference in the public service to
those who We're worthy and sought
needed employment. This in justice.
In mourning this obligation of sacri-
flee a national debt was created.
None more sacred. In settling it polit-
zeal considerations have no rightful
share. Such sacrifices was above all
politics. Gratitude is ever a para
mount issue.
Looking over the debates Of the Con-
crosses, there can be found many kind
words spoken for the soldier and sailor
but absolutely nothing in the way Of
statutory law insuring to those who en-
tered the military or naval services in
tunes OF war. serving until the end OF
lnelr terms OF enlistment or the close of
hostllitieS. being honorably discharged-a
reasonable preference in the public ser
wee in times OF peace. Pensions, yes.
VIII any American urge that any mea gre
pittance as pension doled out compen-
safes loss of manhood? The manhood
hat was ready TO sacrifice life itself. vol
intary, in battle. in order that the repub-
i cmight survive?
And in the inherent desire to earn bread
oy labor. Perish the thought. We will
not believe il.
Instead Of public office being public
rust, 1t Is too frequently regarded as a |
private snap"
An honorable discharge from the mill |
airy or naval service-as a recommended |
non when applying for employment to |
public officials, ought by them to be re- |
'pected. In some departments, however |
n recent years, the badge or button OF |
he Grand Army of the Republic. notably |
H.. n. "
lot alone regarded with disfavor By some |
II the little bosses there, but makes him
who wears il the subject of ridicule and |
lot seldom of insulting language And |
BESIDES this. though preferred to appoint
nent, veterans are the first discharged
md usually in such way that they can
lot hope to get back.
While such conduct has not the an
'roval of Hon. John ID. Long. secretary
II the navy, who has many times when |
ppealed TO- shown in various WAYS his
esard for the just claims of veterans of
var. the statute affecting employment at
lavy yards and the system in vogue OF
ma king the petty boss sole Judge. ilry
md executor, concerning the merits of
h. men when reductions of force are
made necessary for any cause. permits
I. Some Of the bosses hate the veteran
Who is a Grand Army man. The fact
hat no statutory law protects worthy
-eterans enables discrimination ana
wrong. many times due to preiuIice |
lone-being done to them.
During the year the chairman Of your
has many times had occasion
o go to VIM Mckinley. President of the
United States In the interest Of com
aides who needed help or protection and
ever in vain.
When the convention met, in the after
Oon, The fifst thing taken up was the re-
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