The National tribune., 1884-07-17
THE GRAND ARMY.
It Has Now $4,000 Members The
National Encampment.

We hope TO be able to print, ia our next issue,
the address of our retiring Commander-in-
Chief, Gen. r. b. Beath, as also digest of the
reports of the National officers, showing the
exact condition and strength of the Order at
the close of the administrative year, June 80,
1854. On March 81, 1854, the Order numbered
2S3,193 membars, as compared with las, 1872 at
the same date in 1858, showing a gain during
that period of SS26I. The total, however, in
Guided the last quarter of Commander-in-Chief
Van DerToort's administration and deducting
the gain for that quarter we have y CPS as the
total gain under Gen. Beath's administration
up TO March J. Reports are now being received
at National Headquarters FOR the June land
last quarter, and it is believed that they viii
show an additional gain Of 10000 members,
bringing up the total for the year to the neigh
borilood of 10000, and making the aggregate
strength Of the Order throughout the various
Departments nearly, il not quite, $4,000. This
is a splendid showing and evidence that Gen.
Bcath has steadily pursued the work, so well
begun by bis immediate predecessors. of build
ing mp the Grand Army and infusing ii with
fresh VigOr.
The failure Of certain railroads to contribute
10 the expenses attending the meeting OF the
National Encampment at Minneapolis has COM
PEELED our comrades in that city to appeal to
their fcilow-cilizens for the necessary means TO
cledi;sbly entertain the forty or fifty thousand
veterans who are expected 10 be present during
the Encanpment. Accordingly, on the 9th
inst general mass meeting of the citizens
was held ut the Minneapolis Chamber of Com
mcFce, and arrangements were made for sys-
tematic canvass of the business houses of the
city for subscriptions, and money viii doubtless
be forthcoming in time TO meet all demands
upon the local committee. Hon. w. ID. Wash
burn, of Minneapolis, who was III this city at
the time, telegrapaed at once his willingness
10 contribute handsomely TO the fund
leading Minneapolis merchant, who was
present al the meeting, stated that the citizens
had not been aware OF the necessities of the
general committee until now, bat he had no
doubt that ali the money required would be
forthcoming. Other gentlemen expressed the
same opinion, and Mr.. Barden, leading mer-
chant, closed a stirring speech with the decla-
ration: " Let Us know what you need, gentle
men, and it viii be raised without regard to
the amount"
Committees have been appointed to erect
arches aud look after street decorations, and
arrangements have been made TO open regis
try of al private residences and rooms, aside
from hotels, where accommodations can be had
Our latest reports from Minneapolis indicate
that notwithstanding the unforeseen obstacles
with which the Grand Army Executive Com
mlttee has had 10 contend the hospitality ex-
tended by Minneapolis TO our ex-soldiers will
be worthy Of the reputation of that great and
thriving Toung city of the Northwest.
THE Incorporation BILL.
Mention has already been made in TEE Ma
11oSAL TRIBUNE Of the introduction in the
Senate. on june -, by Senator Mitchell PA J.
OF bill l.. 23t7l 10 incorporate the National
Encampment of the Grand Army. The late
hour at which it was offered preclIded the
possibility Of its passage during the session of
become law at the next session. The enact
ing clause is as follows:
BE " enacted BIZ the Senate and House Of Pcpre-
scntd1iCcs Of fs United Saes Of america an Congress
assensbed That Robert b. Bes.th. of Pennsylvania
William Warner OF Missouri: Walter III Hotnes
OF California; John NJ Eandersiice. of Pennsyl-
wanna; John Taylor of Pennsylvania: l. NJ Fos-
ter q New York; Charles A. Sautmyer, Of Ohio;
William Aanoever- Of Iowa; Thomas j. Stewart,
Of Pennsylvania; Il. A Niclels or Arkansas; J. c.
Tucker. OF California; Byron i. Carr of Colorado
W II Pierrepout. of Connecticut; W. II. Purnel
q Delaware; Smith ~. Atkins. OF Illinois; T. 6
Robertson. of Indiana; Henry Fry Of Iowa; John
A Martin. o. Kansas; T. Eiisrooc I1vesay OF Ken
1ncky; Charles A. Coofnls OF Maine. George n
AreArper, q Mary land: Henry b. Pierce Of sIassa-
cb1setts; William H. Miller. Of Michigan; William
Thomas. OF Minnesota; j :. sierrett Of Missouri
Nee Hampshire; a II. Way, OF New jersey; T.
y Collier. OF New Mexico; A II. Sphere OF New
1Es.ks Carl N Bancroft. OF Ohio; Samuel Harper
n- Pennsylvania; Gilbert M. Hustled of Washing
Ron. II c.; Thomas W. Manchester of Rhode
4rlssl5 Nsrren Gibbs, Of Vermont C. w Burr
81 9irgi1ia; J. Davidson, Of Wisconsin. and ali
persons WHO Ezsy be associated with them and
Sheer successOrs hereby created g body corslo-
rGle IA law esd deed by the style and title of tue
National Encarpnient II the Grand Army Of The
Republic and by that name shall have perpetual
success1un, and shall be able TO receive purchase
boid aild dispose OF properly may and e sued
prosecute and defend, in al courts of law and
equity within the United States. and may have q
comnsOn seal.
Section 2 simply quotes from Article III of
the Rules and Regulations the objects to be
accomplished by the order. The remaining
sections are as follows:
SEC g. That 10 promote and establish the purposes
OF ~ organization the National EIscampnaesst Of the
Sf-lnd Army of the Republic sail have power TO
hnffDr1ze end organize Departments Of the Grand
Army Of the Republic IN the several States and
Territories Of the United States and local Posts Of
tle organization IN such States and Territories
where ne Department shall have been created:
6no such Departments shall haze power under the
hDieS enc ke@ulat of the National Encanlr,-
mentu TO create and organize local Posts within
their respective jurisdictions which shall be inn
nned.afeiy subordinate 10 the Department SO Great
fng them.
SEC. e. That the National Encamprnent shall
also have power. from time TO time to make all
needfui Rules and Regulations. not inconsistent
with The Constitution and laws OF the United
States Tor The government of its affairs and for the
control 81 Departments Posts and membership OF
the Organization, and may require obedience
thcre1o nDoeTtsuch penalties and for1estures rs IL
naay lawfully prescribe.