The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-31
An Effort to BE Made to Induce Con-
gress TO Establish n Pension
Court of Appeals.
DENVER NEXT MEETING PLACE
CONGRATULATIONS FORWARDED To
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY.
CabIegrams Also Sent to Generals
tion as to Auxiliaries

CHICAGO, Aug so.-The delegates to the
G. A r. encampment to-day elected the
following officers:
Commander-in-Chief = LEO RASSIEuRs
st. Louis.
Senior Vice Commander-E. c. MILL
KEN, Portland, Me.
Junior Vice Commander-FRANK SEA-
MON, Knoxville, Tenn.
Surgeon General-JOHN A. WILKINS
Delta, o.
Chaplain-in-Chief - REV. A DRAHMSs
San Quentin, Cal
With the selection of officers and the
choice Of Denver for the National Encamp-
ment of 1901 the thirty-fourth National En-
campment OF the G.. A r. practically came
to q close to-day. The programme. as
mapped out by the reception committee, in
cludes two more days before the veterans
are supposed TO return TO their homes
Nothing in the way OF business remains To
be transacted, the next two days being
occupied entirely in excursions. patriotic
concerts in the parks, and other affairs OF
a social character.
The convention was called to order
promptly at o'clock by Commander-in-
chief Shaw. The committee appointed to
consider the annual report Of the command
er-in-chief, approved OF IL. with the ex-
ception of his recommendation OF an effort
10 secure the change of the date OF Mem
orial day from May 30 to the last Sunday in
May The report was adopted and the dele
gates took up the vexed question of pen
sions. over the report or this committee
and over various amendments and substi-
tutes, which members had prepared 10
pated, but the report. as submitted by the
committee, was adopted without amend
ment and practically without debate. The
main feature OF the somewhat lengthy re-
port was a petition to Congress TO pass a
bill providing for court OF appeals TO
act Immediately on the thousands Of PEN
sion applications now pending and I'm which
the court OF appeals shall have final juris-
diction. Later in the day pension matters
were again brought before the delegates
by the report of the committee on resolu-
tions on the subject of service pensions.
Over this question the committee was di-
yided and majority and minority reports
were presented. The majority report.
which was adopted after a somewhat
lengthy discussion, recommended that tho
tee on pensions. thus practically burying
it until the next annual meeting. The
minority report. presented by Past Com
mander Hurst, of Ohio. recommended the
passage by the encampment of a resolu-
ton favoring service pensions based on
length of service.
CHOSEN BY ACCLAMATIoN.
Pension matters being disposed of. the
election OF officers was taken up and IN an
eloquent speech Maj. William Warner, OF
Kansas City, placed Major Rassieur, OF ST.
Louis, in nomination for the position OF
commander-in-chief. Judge Advocate Gen
eral Eli Terrence made a brief seconding
speech. There We're no other nominations
and motion TO suspend the rules and de-
clare Major Rassieur elected by acclama-
tion was carried amid much applause. The
new commander-in-chief was escorted Il
the platform amid hearty cheers from his
comrades and returned his thanks for the
honor, which he accepted in brief speech
After thanking his comrades for the honor
he said:
while have no disposition to take your
time for the purpose OF outlining the work
which is TO be done during the next year.
IL does seem 10 me proper thar i should
say TO you that all the ability which
possess shall be devoted TO the work OF this
grand organization, I'm order that IL may
have an honest ard reliable administration
so that every comrade may be heard I'm
reference TO any and every subject ttat
he deems Of Importance 10 the nationN
organization. / appreciate that in that way,
the best work can be performed. / also ap-
preciate that In that way justice Is 10 be
done TO the humblest member OF our order
| appreciate that this election confers upon
me an honor second TO none that can be
given in this country. IL comes fr>En an
organization that represents those who
served this country In its greatest peril.
IL represents those who were willing to
sacrifice everything they had In this world
In order that this Nation might live and
shown the wonderful results that followed
from the sacrifices made by those who have
passed away. l believe that We are sffli
upon the threshold OF a. great destiny be-
fore US. However great the future may
be all will be owed TO the old soldiers who
fought that the country might be preserved
one and indivisible. IL viii be my duty 20
have that fact brought home or every
proper occasion, and. as long as have the
voice 10 prevent its being lost sight OF. that
voice shall urge upon our people the beauty
OF being just and generous TO those who
did so much for this country"
The other officers were also elected BY
acclsmstion. Delegates from the various
woS - snizations affiliated with the
Iiil - q