Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1888 — G A. R. MATTERS. [ARTICLE]

G A. R. MATTERS.

Arijuta ■' (■« i-r llt oiez Trib jg io Orii in ze ■ >»nftocr at.it: .SoXalera. Adjutant General Koontz is fathering the movement in this Hi ate, rays the Indianapolis, N-ws similar to the one said to be inaug irated in Illinois by General Palmer, looking to a withdrawal of all Democratic !-o'itierß from the G. A. R., and tiie formation pf a distinctive association. the membership limited entirely to the Democracy. General Koontz is credited with saying that he is tired Pf paying dues to a nonpolitical organization .only in name, and for this reason 1m proposes to stand goilfathTr ftcnrocratTir that • there will he no question of its - -€Kneral Palmer is disgruntled- in Illinois, because he was defeated by a private soldier in his race lor Governor, and General Koontz has retired in this State because there was more of the G. A. R. voting Tor Hovey than TdfMatem. Theeharge

which these gentlemen make against the Q. A. R. is so manifestly unjust that it is not beHeved that the attempt to form a distinctive Democratic Grand Army organization wilt - meet with much encouragement, alth ugh General Koontz is also credited with making the absurd boast that after the Democratic element shall have been eliminated from the present G. A. R., there will be precious little left of the original organization. The G. A. R. in. this and other States are inoving-for the adoption of a different uniform than the one now worn, which is too much like the suits of Pullman car porters and servants in other classes of business. It is also proposed to secure legislation, to make it a misdemeanor for any one to wear the badge or uniform not entitled thereto, and this will do away with a good many impostqrs, now ranging the country.