Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1904-05-18

seventh Annual Encampment of the
Department of Connecticut:
How rapidly have the twelve
months passed since you honored me
with the exalted office Of commander
Of this department Of the Grand Army
of the Republic. I need not tell you
with what pleasure 1 entered upon my
duties, and the real enjoyment have
experienced in my official and personal
association with officers and com
rades.
The year has perhaps been an un
eyentful one as far ais this depart
ment is concerned, except that we are
compelled to record a long list Of cas-
ualties among our comrades, as the
increasing mounds in Cemeteries
which we annually strew with fow-
ers will best attest
The last encampment directed that
a committee of FIVE be appointed to
hear all parties interested in securing
some proper provision for the care Of
disabled and needy comrades and
their wives. Such committee was abz
pointed and upon reasonable notice
have held public hearings at New Ha-
ven, Hartford, and the Soldiers home
at Noroton, and have given much
time and consideration to this n1eri-
torious subject. The results Of their
Investigations, with such recommends
tions as Stheir united Judgment may
determine, will be presented for yOnr
consideration. Let us enter upon q
consideration OF this subject, upon
which i am well aware there Is
wide difference of views, ana at the
same time a universal desire to ac-
complish most coInmendable end
with determination to so consolidate
the sentiment Of this department that
we may present a united voice in
whatever future request may be pre-
sented for action by the gneral assenl=
bly,. / am convinced that the liberal
spirit in which the necessities OF 0ni.
comrades have been met in the past
are but IAN indication of what we may
expect of the future, as unlocked aud
possibly unthought of conditions de-
svelop
+ The most recent rules adopted bE
the pension department. with the aps
proval of the president will, 4 feel cor
tain, materially aid and Facilitate the
securing Of such aid from the general
government as age as well as disabilr
ity deserve. | only regret that SUCH
Interpretation by the executiye should
by anyone be open to CRITICS SIN IL the
law is uncertain, let proper legislative
authority confirm the patriotic action
of. the president NV attention has
been called to the large number nf
private pension bills that are presents
ed to and passed at each session o1
congress. It.is my firm belief that
legislation of this character ought to
be discouraged, and that the time
spent in examination of such claims
and securing their passage could much
better be utilized by congress in se~
curing general legislation which would
Dlace every disabled veteran on a COM
mon ground OF relief, and give TO The
pension department some margin OF
authority to afford relief on lines of
usual congressional action. 1t is not
every veteran, however deserving his
claim may be, If not strictly within
the lines of legal construction, that
possesses the time, means or influence
ito secure congressional action What
lis needed in these days Of increasing
age and disability is prompt and
speedy action.
Il ueSIre mere TO cdil 40 JGuE AlttSit~
tion. and also my successor, to an as-
tablished custom of Merriam post, No
s. attended on the anniversary Of
the firing on Fort Sumter, April -, the
annual rolf call of the post, could not
attempt to describe the. interest ana
enthusiasm created as members pres
ent and absent responded with voice
and pen, until every name on the roll
was accounted for. believe this eps-
tom, or one of similar characteF
could be profitably introduced into ev-
cry post.
The report OF Adjutant General
John III. Thatcher showed that 4,212
members were in good standing De-
cember 81. During the year fhe loss
by death, etc, was 461.
The members of the Soldiers home
committee reported that they found
the inmates happy and contented and
that everything was in excellent order
at the home. es ~ *