The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-26
CONEY OPENS WAR
Takes Steps to Revoke Charter
of Gage Post.
Charges the G. A. X. Lodge With
InsubOrdination.
REFUSES TO TALK.
Says Action Concerns Only the
Organization.
Members Say That They Are
Ready for Battle.

Charges of insubordination. incom-
petence and general undesira bility
nave been made by Department Com
mander P H. Coney of Topeka against
e. g. Gage post No. 4s5 of Topeka,
and meeting OF the council of admin
istration has been called by Com
mander Coney to meet in Topeka
Thursday. December 27, and hear the
charges.
The members of the post say that
Commander Coney is trying to revoke
the charter of Gage post becouse of
the fact that Ed C. Moore is a mem
Der Of tnat post, and Moore is the
man whom Commander Coney court
martialed recently, and, according to
reports. has decided to expel from the
organization. Gage post has appoint
ed a committee consisting of L s.
Elder. J. H. Debow. w. j. Whittekind
and John o. Brintnal for the purpose
Of fighting the charges before the
council of administration tomorrow
1t is the duty OF the department
commander to revoke the charter of
a post whenever in his judgment, and
the judgment of the council of admin
iStratiCn. the continuation of that post
is not for the good of the order. De
partment Commander Coney is said to
have come to the conclusion that Gage
post has outlived its usefulness.
When asked this morning to make a
statement concerning the charges !
against Gage post. he said:
"All that matter concerns only the |
Grand Army of the Republic. The
public has no interest in the matter |
and / don't care to discuss these
things"
one of Commander Couey's right |
hand men said this morning: This |
post Of the G.. A. r. was organized by /
2
satisfied and disgruntled, and wanted /
to have a little post of their own |
where there would be offices enough I
to go around. The members are lot +
Of disturbers and agitators, and they /
don't run the business of their post
as they should. The rules for--the I
OF the post are plain and /
simple, bur they always go around the /
longest way to obey those rules and /
regulations.
''The record of some of the men in
he post is far from creditable. One
II the chief movers in the organiza-
ion appears in the records under the
mead of drafted or substitute list
ind did not get into the service at all
Until after the war ended. Another en-
listed after the war. was promoted to
sergeancy and then reduced to the
-anks. and later mustered OUT
The last inspection Of the Gage post
showed it to be in fairy good condi-
ion. according to information given
,ut at G. A. r. headquarters.
A member of G.. G. Gage post said
oday: "Coney will find that he has
tarted something he can't stop. The
cage post members will fight this ef-
ort to revoke It's charter. and fight 1t
lard. We believe we are entitled to
our organiza tion."
The G. G. Gage post is the smallest
md youngest post in Topeka. It has
My about 25 members, and was
hartered February 2S, 1901. It
neets in the hall at 123 East Sixth
treet Most of the members are for
ner members OF either Lincoln post
r Topeka post. The story told of
he organization is that a certain man
n Topeka post had held the office of ,
enior vice commander. and wanted to
e promoted to the office of comman-
er of the post. but the members
jumped" him. and selected another
lan, instead OF following the usual {
ule of promotion. This made the :
IAN sore it is said, and he withdrew
rom Topeka post. He at first figured t
n joining Lincoln post but later 7
athered about him 2 number OF other t
Id soldiers dissatisfied with both ex- c
sting posts and these men organized [
new post OF their own, calling 1t a
: 6. Gage post +
some claim that tho Gage post is b
omposed largely Of Populists and :
,emocrats. who are not looked upon a
18th favor by the Republican mem
ers Of the Grand Army. They claim !
lat politics is entering into the ac-
on of department commander in try
* to revoke the charter