The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-06-24
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Annual Meeting of the National En-
campnent at INDIANAPOLIS.


campment at Indianapolis.
The annual meeting of the National
Encampment Grand Army of the Re-
public began at Indianapolis on the 18th
of June with very satisfactory attend
ance. The encampment was called to
order by Gen. Lewis Wagner, Com
mander-in- Chief, amid great enthusiasm.
The street along the line Of march and
the theater were handsomely decorated,
and the reception which the delegates
received was cordial in the extreme.
The entire day was occupied with rou-
tine work. The annual report of the
COMMANDMENT Chief proved lengthy
and substantial document. All the de-
partments are In efficient condition with
the exception of Kansas and Missouri,
and consolidated returns show Nebraska
and Minnesota lead the van with in
creases respectively of TIA and 156 per
cent. Wisconsin shows 100, Michigan
81, Ohio 70, the larger departments
of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey,
New Hampshire and Illinois showing
gains varying from 81 to So per cent.
On Dec. 81, 1880, there were 976 posts
with over go, 900 members, gain of $40
posts and over $4,000 members in one
year. ...
4 A resolution passed indorsing the eff
fort of Clara Barton to have the Govern
ment sanction and adopt the principles
for the amelioration of the wounded
formulated by the Geneva Convention
and adopted by treaty by nearly all the
civilized nations of the earth. Further,
that the benefcent purposes of the con-
vention commend themselves with pc
culiar force to the remnants Of the Grand
Army, and that its purposes meet with
hearty approval.
A resolution passed directing the APP
pointment of a committee to consider the
subject of delays in the settlement of
pension claims, and to confer with the
head of the Pension Bureau with view
of procuring such Legislation as will re-
lieve the pressure upon the departments.
AS an argument for the passage of this
resolution, it was stated that no less
than IS, 900 claims have been pending
for five years, and 10000 for ten years.
Comrade Bodle, of Washington, was
chosen Chairman of the committee.
A series of resolutions were adopted,
commencing the local organization Of
women in the several departments for
the furtherance of charitable and other
work under the auspices of the separate
posts. The resolutions also urge the
creation of a Women's National Relief
Association, under the title Auxiliary
to the Grand Army of the Republic. by
special Endorsement of the national en-
campment, G. A. R., June 15, 1891"
In the evening a grand reception was
accorded the visiting delegates by the
local posts. Welcoming addresses were
delivered by Gov. Porter and the Mayor
of the city, with responses by Com
mander-in- Chief Wagner, and there were
spirited addresses from Senator Har-
rison, Corporal Tanner, of Brooklyn.
Post Commander William Earnshaw, of
Ohio, and others. These speeches were
interspersed with music by home talent.
During the evening gold badge of the
order, set in diamonds, was presented
on behalf of the encampment to ex-Com-
mander Earnshaw.
The second and last days session was
devoted to business. The meetings
were held with closed doors, and the
proceedings were not made public.
The following officers were elected to
serve for the ensuing year: Comman-
der-in- Chief, George s. Merrill, of Mas
sachusetts: Senior Vice Commander-in-
Chief, Charles L. Young, of Ohio
Junior Vice Commander-in-C Chief, g. Y.
r. Pond, of Michigan; Council of Adj
ministration, FL. T. Blanchard, Of
Maine, J. M. Patterson of New Hamp-
shire, E. J. Ormsby of Vermont, Siias A.
Barton of Massachusetts, H NJ. Durfee
of Connecticut, w. H. Bright of New
York, r. F. Potter of Pennsylvania, D.
A. Peloubet of New Jersey, w. Y Swi-
gen of Delaware, Charles n. Richard
son of Maryland, S. S. Burdette of Po-
tomac, Fl. B. Nichols of Virginia, w.
H. Baldwin of Ohio, w. FL. Armstrong
of Indiana, John Stephens of Illinois,
A. w. Guthrie of Iowa, J. E. Brown Of
Nebraska, J. G. Carpenter of Kansas,
o. A. Jones of Michigan, Fl. B. Har-
shaw of Wisconsin, J. A. Coulter Of
Montana, Hiram Moore of California,
Il. 81. Goddard of Rhode Island Chap
lain-in- Chief, Joseph F. Lowering, Of
Massachusetts Surgeon-in-C Chief, Chas.
Styer, NJ D., of Pennsylvania.
In the evening campfire entertain
ment was given, with which the reunion