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

Ac" AiousHs VI tuc year 1909 WacH III was
possible to report the per cent gained was in
creased to 40. The posts had increased from
976, in December,- 1SS0, to 1,57S, in March,
1882, gain of 597, while the membership
was. reported, March 81, 1889, at SO, 934, a
gain OF 29, $50 for the year. At this encamp-
ment Paul Vanderyoort, OF Nebraska, was
elected ommander-in-chief and appointed
T. E. Brown Adjutant General.
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL ENcAMPMRNT.
The last annual encampment met In Dem
yer, Col, in june 1888. The growth of the
order was larger than for many preceding
years. The Adjutant General reported Dec.
81, 1882, that there were I31, 800 members
as against s., $50 for the corresponding date
of the year before, showing gain of As, 0S4
members or 81 per cent. of the whole num-
Der. The posts in the mean time had in
creased from 1879 to 1882. Up to March 81,
1888 the organization had membership of
1883 as against SO, 934 for the correspond
ing date Of the year before, a gain of 55, 166
members, or 60 per cent. of the whole num-
Der. The posts had increased from 1851 in
March, 1882, to 1874 in the same month in
1888. The number OF deaths in the organi-
cation for the year ending March 81, 1888,
was reported at 1,1SS. At this meeting
| Robert B. Beath, of Philadelphia, was elected
eommander-ln-chief. 1t was also decided to
hold the next annual encampment at Min
neapolis, Minnesota, in july, 1854
OBJECTS on THE 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 par
amount respect for, and 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
permanency 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 bipartisan 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 couched
in the following emphatic apguage:
s'No officer or comrade Of the Grand Army
of the Republic shall in any manner use this
organization for partisan purposes, and ne
discussion Of partisan questions shall be per-
mitted 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 mem bership nearly 100, ZOO, and it now
numbers nearly ESQ., 900 members, and Is
growing rapidly. There was expended for
relief s1O6, 957, and 8, 422 persons were re-
lieved. Much progress has been made in es-
tabllshing 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 COMMITTEE.
A ension com ittee 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.
auentiy exposing the latter.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
The women who were loyal in 1851 suffered
many hardships to assist the soldiers, and
since the war have organized ''Womens'
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. 1t is com posed of the sons of
union soldiers, and is intended to accom-
plish the same ends as the G.. A. R.