The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-13
ENCAMPMENT PROCEEDINGS.
COmmander-in-Chie Rassieur Con-
dennis Pension Office Methods.

demns Pension Office Methods.
CLEVELAND, o., Sept. 12.-The ma
tionaI convention of the G.. A. r. opened
this morning at the Euclid-avenue Opera
House with 4 large attendance. Intense
interest was manifested by the delegates
in the report of the committee on pensions,
and it was generally believed the conven-
ton would take some very radical action
bearing on that subject.
General Sickles offered q resolution at
the opening OF the proceedings of the con-
vention, rendering TO the President affec-
Tomato congratulations on his rapid con-
valescence. for which all civilized nations
pray. Comrade Thistlewood, of Illinois,
offered as an amendment a series of reso-
lutions calling for law, furnishing at
tacks upon the chief executive as trea-
son. The amendment was not seconded,
and General Sickles's resolution was
adopted by a rising vote The message was
ordered telegraphed to the President.
The committee on credentials reported
that the roll prepared by the adjutant gen.
eral was correct and should be adopted.
The roll showed q total voting strength of
1,340, including delegates, department COM
manders and past department commanders.
commandments Leo Rassleur de-
voted a large part OF the annual address
to the matter of pensions. Without any
effort he said, Ion the part of the or
ganization or It's officers to give the pension
problem any undue prominence, that sub
ject has overshadowed all others and mas
called for more attention and thought IN
the past year than all other questions which
concern uS.''e He criticised the administra-
ton of the Pension Bureau, and demanded
the fhOneSt and fair administration OF the
laws which are already on the statute
books. Continuing. he said If an Of
dcer's lawlessness, recdessness and bold
NOS 70, lorfr~ fG a n
him to override and ignore a plain and I'M
nistakable- order, indicating the line of his
duty under the law coming from his SUI
perior officer, the secretary of the interior,
what can the poor and helpless old soldier
expect at his hands, when he is claiming to
exercise his discretion under that law? The
exercising of HIS discretion cannot possibly
result in anything else in most of the cases
than a positive denial of the benefits pre-
scribed by the Jaw" $50
). THE G. a. r. BILL
After adverting to the Importance Of
judicial assistance in the administration Of
the Pension Bureau and answering objec-
tons to the c. A r. bill, having this OBJ
ject in view, the eommander-in-chief added:
1--WE cannot conceive that the measure of
duty to those who saved this country Will
be belttled while this country has hun
dreds of millions of dollars to engage in a
humanitarian way in the interests Of the
downtrodden of other countries"
He referred regretfully to the failure OF
the veterans preference bill to receive ia
vorable consideration by Congress, and
urged further efforts to secure its passage.
Another ground for disappointment, he
said, was the failure to pass one Of the
three bllls for a soldiers home in South
Dakota, idaho and Oklahoma.
As TO military and patriotic instruction
In the public schools, he deplored the
clllsion of noncommissioned officers in the
Nvhfch rqGSp1 Congress- sDrhA
of the country, he said, ARE the fruitful
fields where patriotism can be so planted
and cultivated that nothing can destroy or
eradicate ii. Hence every effort in this
direction should be continued with re-
newed efforts and patriotic exercises made
obligatory in the public schools by law
wherever such is necessarily the case and
it is at all practicable.
The report OF the adjutant general, f. NJ.
Sterrett, showed that the total membership
June 30. 1901. was Pos, 507, in 1907 posts. The
gains during the last year were 30.0lS and
the losses 37176-by death, S.166 and by sus-
pension. 1922. The number dropped from
the rolls, having been previously suspend
ed, was 7722. The number on the rolls
June 80. 1901. including $3.50 suspended.
The States in which there are over 1000
members are as follows: California and
2l17. Connecticut, 1857: Illinois. 22.lS5. In
diana, 1883; Iowa. 12.S1S; Kansas 1851;
Kentucky. 2.5SS Maine, SAL; Maryland,
252S; Massachusetts, 1907. Michigan, "a
braska, 5653; New Hampshire. 1891; New
Jersey, 5,S73; New York, 30l43; Ohio, 25.ll1;
Pennsylvania, Is. 565: Vermont. 3.56S: Wash
fngton and Alaska, 2.5o1; Wisconsin. $3.50.
The amount expended for relief during the
year was $ll932
MEMORIAL FUND.
Referring 10 the Southern memorial fund
the adjutant general said:
The Importance OF aiding our comrades
of the Southern States and their successors
IN the important object lesson I'm placing
the flag Of the Union on the graves OF our
fallen. lying in the national and other
cemeteries OF that section on Memorial day
each day for all time 10 come. urges us to
adopt the best method toward securing
that end"
The report Of August Drahmes. chaplain
ln-chief, showed that ,. 497 posts observed
Memorial day services: %. 200 OF the com
rades participating, as did 2.O54 WOman's
Relief Corps. with 1900 members The
number OF cemeteries visited was 10 CSC.
and the number of graves decorated 3l2 So.
The public schools participating was 3605
ard the number OF pupils 81. 2S6 other