St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-21

1c" noutAS OI lHe year 1867 WHICH IL Was
possible to report the per cent gained was in
creased to IS. The posts had increased from
976, in December, 1850, to 1 1913, in March,
| 1882, gain of 597, while the mem hership
was reported, March 81, 1882, at SO, 1874, a
gain of 29, $50 for the year. AT this encamp-
ment Paul Vandervoort, of Nebraska, was
elected commander-in-chief and appointed
F. E. Brown Adjutant General
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL ENcAMPMENT.
The last annual eneampment met in Den
yer, Col, in June 1888. The growth of the
order was larger than for many proceeding
years. The Adlutant General reported Dec.
81, 1882, that there were 131, 800 members
as against s5,S56 for the corresponding date
of the year before, showing gain of 46,034
members or 81 per cent. of the whole num-
Der. The posts in the mean time had in
creased from 1879 to 1852. Up TO March 81,
1888 the organization had q membership of
| AS. 932 as against SO, 934 for the correspond
ing date Of the year before, a gain of SIS, 766
members, or 81 per cent. of the whole num-
Der. The posts had increased from 1851 in
March, 1892. to 2514 in the same month in
1888. The number OF deaths in the organ i
cation for the year ending March 81, 1888,
was reported at 1,1SS. At this meeting
Robert B. Beath, of Philadelphia, was elected
commander-ln-chief. It was also decided to
hold the next annual encampment at Min
neapolis, Minnesota, in July, 1884.
OBJECTS ON TIE ASSOCIATION.
In the rules and regulations issued by the
National encampment the g. A. r. an
nounces the following as the objects of the
association:
1. To preserve and strengthen those
kind and fraternal feelings which bind to-
gether the soldiers, sailors and marines who
united to suppress the late rebellion, and to
perpetuate the memory and history of the
dead.
2. To assist such former comrades in
arms as need help and protection, and to
extend needful aid to the widows and Or
phans OF those who have fallen
3. To maintain true allegiance to the
United States of America, based upon a par
amount respect for, ann fidelity to the ma
| tional constitution and laws, to discounte-
nance whatever tends to weaken loyalty, in
cites to instruction, treason or rebellion, or
in any manner impair the efficiency and
permaneney of our free institutions. and to
encourage the spread OF universal liberty,
equal rights and liberty to all men.
NoN-PARTIsAN.
The G. A. r. is non-partisan in its charac-
ter. No political questions of any kind are
allowed to be discussed, and no nominations
are allowed to be made for any office. This
is one Of the laws of the order, and is eouched
in the following emphatic language:
mo officer or eomrade of the Grand Army
Of the Republic shall in any manner use this
organization for partisan purposes, and no
discussion Of partisan questions shall be per-
mftted at any meeting Of the Grand Army Of
the Republic, and no nomination for politi-
cal offices shall be made"
REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR.
In the past year this order has increased
in membership nearly 100, 900, and it now
numbers nearly $50, 900 members, and is
growing rapidly. There was expended for
relief S106, 957, and ), 422 persons were re-
Heved. Much progress has been made in es-
tablishing soldiers homes, memorial halls,
soldiers monuments, and much interest is
taken in Memorial day. The soldiers homes
established by the government are under
control of this order.
A PENSION CoMNITTEE.
A pension committee Is kept in Washing
ton TO present the claims of its members
who are deserving of pension, and to look
after the interests of the G.. A R. Such a
committee was made necessary by the fraud
ulent pension agents at Washington, and it
has materially assisted the people by fire.
quently exposing the latter.
i.r OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
The women who were loyal in 1861 suffered
many hardships TO assist the soldiers, and
since the war have organized 'sWomens'
Relief Corps Ladies' Loyal League and
auxiliary societies, which are doing noble
work to assist in caring for sick members
and those dependent upon them.
A society called the Sons of Veterans
has also been organized, and is becoming
very popular. It is composed of the sons Of
union soldiers, and is intended to accom-
plish the same ends as the G. A R.