The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-15
DALZELL HAS A SCHEME.
Wants The G. A. R. TO Be Purely a
Political Machine.
THERE is STRONG OPPOSITION TO IT..
Matter viii Probably Be Brought Up at
the Coming Encampment, Though
II May Be Prevented.
Especial To Tho Pnst.N


Washington July 14.-"Prlyate'' Dalzells
plan for organizing a political party within
the ranks Of the Grand Army and the sol.
diers of the more recent wars. Is causing
no end Of discussion among the 7eterans
aud promises to precipitate a lively contest
when the Grand Army encampment meets
IN Washington In October. The discussion
mas already reached the stage where II is
certain mat II can not be kept out of
the question for consideration NY the en-
campment no matter how anxious some ~
the leading members of that Organization
may he to prevent 1t. Public ouicials of
Ihe Grand Army of the Republic and the
press are being Hooded with letters from
members OF the different organizations Of
Veterans taking sides In the controversy.
mere is apparently no half way ground n
me discussion. one element Is strongly
urging the political activity of the old
soldier and the other is equally as inslsteut
that the Organization be kent free from par.
uclpation IN politics. Letters are being sent
10 the dlnereut Grand Army OF the Republic
posts throughout the country urging he In.
ulVlduai members to take a stand for or
against the proposed innovation.
Major w. II. Mills. one OF the leading
members of the Union Veterans Union. has
published a letter In which be calls atten,
ton TO the political work Of the order TO
which he belongs.
He SAYS There are senators ana rep.
resentatiYes In congress who owe their
positions to the order II is not a BETRAYAL
Of confidence to state that Colonel Hender.
son would nor have been speaker OF the
house of representatives II 1t had not been
for the efforts OF the Union veterans" He
calls attention 10 the fact that there are
more than 1,OpI.OoO veterans of the civil
war on the pension rolls and SAYS that
these, with the sons and near relatives of
soldiers II well organized could not only
change the political complexion Of congress,
but determine any presidential contest
Major Mills and other veterans are
strongly opposed 10 The Dalzen plan Of a
new organization. They believe that Ii
womb lead to n disruption OF the Grand
Army of the Republic II any effort were
made to induce that organization to act
ms unit for any candidate of any political
party. They claim that party ties are
usually stronger than fraternal ana that
nothing but IN could come from the plan
offered by Dalsell
Private" Dalzei and his supporters In.
slst that the veterans have always Ind to
fight for their rights and that their perfect
organization MS political force would com
pei the representatives. Of all political
parties to recognize them In the nomination
Of officers and the distribution of places
ms wei as to Influence legislation for the
benefit of the veterans
Some Of tho leading officers Of the Grand
Army Of tho renVhlic are m king nm effort
to have the individual posts throughout
the country declare against the effort TO
inject political questions into the coming
encampment. believing that the organiza
tlon would he considerably damaged IL the
attempc TO use Il for political purposes re-
ceiYes any considerable encouragement.