Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-06
VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR
The Tenth Annual Reunion.
OPENING SCENES OF THE MEETING TO-DAY.

The tenth annual reunion OF the National Associ-
alton OF Mexican Veterans begun at noon to-day al
Abner's hall. All the morning the hail, which was
gaily decorated with flags and flowers, was
thronged with gray-haired veterans, bedecked with
badges, who. as they came, registered their names
with the secretary, Mr.. A. NJ. kenaday New ar
rivals were reported constantly. The Scott Legion
OF Philadelphia, 81 strong, commanded by Col A.
ID. Reynolds, marched into the hall little before
noon, and created quite stir. The members Of the
legion wore McLlelland caps, with the name OF
"Scott Legion" inscribed or the front. They were
attlred in citizens clothes, Of dark color
ads,s Msn white na gloves and wore badges and
the Old tirst New York regiment marched
with their old battle flags. This delegation was
Mickle, Francis W. Seagrist, Matthew Conln, Col
James E. kerrigan, and Lieut.. Henry c. Gaines
one OF their number, John $. Gardner, Who is very
Old. came with them from New York. but was sick
ana unable to march to the hall The collection OF
llags brought by these gentlemen from New York
are quite noteworthy. One was presented to the
regiment by Gen Scott, on behalf or the ladies OF
the city OF Mexico; another was testimonial from
the common council OF New York, and another
from the citizens OF New York. A tattered old
morning by W. A. Brown, OF Arkansas, who be-
longed TO the 12th infantry and carried this flag,
WIN tne victorious troops, into the city OF Mexico
CALLED TO ORDER.
A little after noon Gen j. W. Denver president
of the association, called the assembly to order
There were seated on the platform at the time
Gen. Emery, Gen. RosecranS. Gen. Albert Pike.
COL Walker, Capt: r 7: Merrick. Capt A. B. Pear
Sn1 s2ns OF Missouri; cen Mahon Manson OF Missour
gent, OF Pennsylvania and Others.
Mr. MERRICK'S ADDRESS OF WELCOME
President Denver introduced Capt. Richard T.
Merllck, who delivered an eloquent address OF well
come TO the capital OF the nation In the name OF the
local association and OF the citizens OF Washing
ton. The officers of the great republic whose
boundaries these veterans had extended, and whose
glory they had enhanced, he said. loired I'm this
welcome Referring to the fact that during the late
war, with Its vast operations, the Mexican war
seemed for time to pass out OF the memory OF
man. He observed that when history was written,
In the calm future, the Mexican war would boom
up alongside of or beyond the latewar The late war
was a warto preserve what the veterans had won
ne described the vast territorial domain added the
country by the Mexican veterans. and paid most
glowing tribute to the achievements OF the soldiers
AS long rs the American banner 1oated. he said it
would float as monument to the memory OF the
actieVelnents or the soldiers OF the Mexican war;
W nat mad not been done In the way sOf Justice In
the past he assured would be done In the future
de DID them, In conclusion, thrice welcome to the
capital which their pi riotism and arms had SO en-
rlched When Mr.. Merrick concluded he was
greeted with three rousing cheers.
RESPONSE OF GEN. DENVER.
Gen. Denver responded to the address OF welcome,
referring briefly and pathetcally to the facts that
He spoke at some length, reviewing the causes and
the results o. the Mexican war.
REMARKS OF GEN. RosECRANs.
Gen. RosecranS was loudly called for and was in
tfOduced by Cen Manson, the vice president OF the
association. After stating that he was not re-
nowned as speech-maker Gen. Rosecrans said he
would turn his attention to providing pensions for
Mexican veterans. He referred. to the condition OF
affairs at the last Congress, when the crowded con-
clifton OF business at the Pension Office and an evi
HtS1noliHaff0n fn rp..lfn
itures, contributed to sentiment unfav-
cradle to the claims of the Mexican
was rapidly approaching when the obstacles in the
way would be cut away. He referred to the rapid
progress OF the Pension cffce business, and said
that he thought very generous disposition pre-
vailed among members OF Congress towards the
Mexican veterans.
When Gen. Rosecrans finished there were calls
Tor Gen Pike; but President Denver checked them.
saying that opportunity would be offered hereafter
to listen to speeches
The secretary then called the roll each one rising
IN ms pace when his name was called. When the
name OF prominent officer or some one who had
distinguished himself by bravery was called the as
seInDly applauded.
The convention then proceeded to regular busi-
ness, ffst hearing the reports OF officers and APP
pointing committees on resolutions and organ1za-
The Republican National Convention.
SELECTING THE TIME OF MEETING
Ihe hrst step In the presidential campaign OF
next year will be taken on Wednesday next. when
the republican executive committee meet In this
city TO select the time and place for holding the
national republican convention to nominate candi-
dates for President and Vice President. It is the
general impression that the convention will be held
In the east, inasmuch as the nominations for the
past eight years have been made in western cities
Chicago, however, it is intimated, Will put In a
claim to have 1t held there on the ground of the
superior hotel accommodations and a capacious
hall In which hold the ASf for tho,
hall IS concerned, it was almost the unanimous
opinion OF the delegates to the last convention that
too large hall was an objection. as IL placed at
times, the control Of the convention In the hands
OF the galleries. fact which Will be remembered
by all who recall the exciting contest in the last
republican convention. Philadelphia, it is under
stood, Will make an appeal to have the convention
held there and delegation Will be here on Tues
day to urge the selection OF that CITY, The national
convention which nominated Grant and wilson
was the last one held there. There is also some
talk OF Boston being named, but it is known that a
east of New York. Baltimore. which years ago
used to be known as the convention city," has
neen n spoken @ Of Cincinnati WILL OF course, put in
in anything, politically speaking.
Public Printer Rounds Report.
REFORMS CARRIED INTO EFFECT AT THE GOVERN
MENT PRINTING OFFICE-OPERATIONS DURING THE
LAST FISCAL YEAR.
The annual report of the Public Printer Mr.. s. P.
Rounds, for the last fiscal year, has Just been
prlnte0 In pamphlet, whose typographical ap-
pearance attests the excellence OF the work exc
cuted at the Government Printing ONCE Mr..
Rounds says that when he entered upon the dis
charge OF the duties of his Office he found the Office
embarrassed by large deficiency, empty ware
houses, and much OF the machinery In use OF Old
and discarded patterns and badly worn, which
caused great delay and needless expense in the ex-
ecution OF work. To the important work OF reor-
ganiz1ng the various departments OF the Office he
has given his best Efforts He refers to the method
adopted OF having written contracts with parties
awarded lithographing and engraving work. and
says the expenditure for such work during the wear
was reduced nearly 100000 Reference is made
also to new systems adopted in the paper and the
pay departments OF the Office. The new system of
dividing the employees into sections and designating
certain regular pay days works admirably, avoids
which, in the payment of from 2,lOO to $500
people, is an important consideration The
shorter hours OF service and better paw
than prevails in outside offices, together with
due care In selection and appointments
the Public Printer believes has resulted In making
the force now employed In the Government Print
ing ONCE Of such skill and efficiency as was never
world. Mention is made OF the sanitary improve
mentS in the building and the abolition OF the
"drying" room at saving OF $4,000 to $4,000 per
annum. The fiscal year closed without any def
cheney, but with an uneXpended balance In the
Treasury. Attention Is called to the need OF sub
Stttut1ng new and improved presses for old-faSh-
Toned and wOrn-Out presses now In use in the office
f0rce-pump and fire escapes Introduced during
the year and the drilling OF the employees, so as to
avoid confusion or panic In case OF fire For the
first time in the history of the Office. Mr. Rounds