The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-30
on Legislation for Veter-
ans i'm the 'PubIic Service Sc
we're i'm Its Structures.
PARTISAN SCHOOL HISTORIES
THOSE IN USE IN SOUTHERN STATES
Condemned.
Report of tae Committee ON Pensions
Field Hospital Corps Busy-Nine-
ty-Two Persons Cared For.

CHICAGO, Aug. 29.-This was, Cor the G.
n r., as an organiza ton. strictly day of
business. For those members who were not
bGrdened with the responsibilities attend
irg the position of a delegate to the con-
vention of the Grand Army. IL was day
for anything and everything but business
From morning until night the convention
labored at its work in Studebaker Hall,
listening 10 numerous reports from Of
fioers and committees, while the vast
majority of the old soldiers went 10 the
parks, took boat rides upon the lake. and
those who had not seen blood enough In
their younger days accepted an invitation
from the packers to visit the stockyards,
where they beheld more slaughter than
had taken place at the bloody angle" at
Spottsylvania and in the bloody lane" ar
Antietam combined.
The convention opened ar 10:3o. and from
the start business was pushed with enorgy.
The opening session was entirely of So
cial character and was open TO the pub
lie Mayor Harrison. in brief address, for
mally welcomed the soldiers TO Chicago.
Commander-in-chief Shaw replied. express
ing the thanks of the army for the hospi-
tality shown them. ]. NJ. Longenecker,
commander of the Department of Illinois.
then greeted the veterans In behalf of the
soldiers of Illinois. Gen. Louis Wagner re-
sponded for the members of the army, ex-
pressing the gratitude of his comrades TO
the men of Illinois. This ended the public
exercises.
Commander-in-chief Shaw then read his
annual address. Most OF ii was of little
public interest. consisting very largely OK
what he has done or attempted to do. The
pension legislation he claims 10 be the re-
suit of two addresses of his own. In refer
ence to that legislation. he said:
''It is a source of great qualification TO be
able 20 state that the amendments 10 the
pension law of 1890 proposed by your ad-
ministration were unanimously passed by
the Congress and that every speech made
was in their favor. And il is believed that
with a liberal and just execution OF present
pension laws, little further in way OF PEN
sion legislation will be necessary TO secure
for the great majority OF the dependent
saviors of the Nation the fulfillment OF the
pledged faith of the people in behalf OF
those who periled their all in the morning
of their lives for liberty and Union The
report of the pension committee viii give
full details of its work. and your special
and close consideration is drawn 10 this i'm
pOrtant review OF the year eIortS along
pension lines. In view OF the high char
acter and prominence OF the members Of
this committee your commander-in-chief
has left this branch Of the work OF tho
Grand Army 10 be mainly presented BIZ
them to the encampment-
PENSION COURT OF APPEALS.
The commander-in-chief urged the es-
tablishment Of pension court of appeals.
On this subject he said:
'-The fact that different rules and diff
ferent interpretations OF the same laws
have been established in the execution OF
pension legislation. makes IL clearly appar-
ent that a pension court of appeals should
be provided. so as 10 insure tho fair and
impartial judicial settlement of all dis
puted claims for pensions. I'm competent
court specially authorized TO deal with such
cases. Your administration brought this
subject 10 the attention OF the President OF
the United States, and submitted bin for
his consideration 10 carry into effect the
recommendations made 10 hlm. as detailed
In letter accompanying the same II was
afterwards decided 10 present the bill 10
Congress. and IL was introduced In both ths
Senate and the House Of Representatives
in the closing days OF the last session. too
late 10 be acted upon. This proposed bill
provides what is believed to be ample ways
and means for promptly and satisfactorily
adjudicating the more than 49, appeal
cases now pending and in a way just 10 ap-
picants and 10 the government. The fun
details OF this measure we're submitted TO
Congress when the bill introduced.
and TO this interesting data reference -
made for an intelligent understanding of
this most important proposed legislation.
In view OF the conceded justice and need
OF this measure by leading jurists Of the
country. comrades are urgently requested
TO do ali In thir power 20 secure its early
passage by Congress.
''The time has come for promptly dis
posing OF all appeal cases In the PEN
sion Office before a judicial tribunal worthy
OF the veterans who saved this Republic
TO full freedom IN the COS From a careful
consideration Of the whole subject your
commander-in-chief feels that the early
passage OF this pension court OF appeals
bill would relieve public men from a vast
amount Of letter writing and secure prompt
Justice 10 all applicants for a pension. and
place the Pension Department on a basis
OF legal adjudication of pension cases. al
once generally satisfactory and commando
ingly just 10 all interests concerned. Gen.
erous pension laws are one thing, and
their proper and legal execution Is quite
another matter-as the action or tie Pen-
sion Office furnishes abundant prof dur
ing the pilst few years.
What fs needed, beyond doubt. is a pen
sion court OF appeals 20 provide fnterpre-
tafions OF the law in a competent court
with high judicial functions. 80 that there
shall hereafter be no grounds for charx-
ing that political consideration OF party
policy. or the personal idiosyncracies Of
pension officials pervert the true purpose