The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-25
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Portland Crowded with Visitors-The Annual
Address of Commander Kountze.
CLOTHING STORE.

PORTLAND, Me-, June 24-the streets are
crowded to-day again with 100, 600 visitors.
Everywhere the uniform of the Grand Army is
conspicuous. At the great encampment the
veterans have settled down into comfortable
camp life. Good order and good nature prevail
everywhere.
The secret executive session of the national
encamppent began at IL o'clock this morning
in the City Hail. with full attendance of dele
gates. After calling the encampment to order,
the commander-in chief proceeded to deliver his
annual address. He said that four years ago
there was membership of nearly 10000; on
March 80, 1885, thirty eight departments re-
ported 5,026 posts and 269, ,694 members, while
the report of the adjutant- general shows the
membership to be 287, 637. The number Of
81, 292, reported by the adjutant. general as sus
pended during the year, is due in great
of post officers. Our finances" the
commander in chief continued, "are
in excellent condition. We have on hand a cash
balance of $15124 The question having been
raised as TO whether the late comrade, Dr. b.
F. Stevenson, of Sprin gfed Ills, was really
the first mover in the organization Of the Grand
Army of the Republic, it is deemed but simple
justice to his memory as We'll as to his family
and comrades. to state that all authentic records
confer upon him that very great honor. During
81, 600 badges, at profit of Sc, $50. / heartily
indorse the organization known as the Veterans
Rights Union, the object of which is to secure
to our comrades their rights and privileges under
the Revised Statutes of the United States. The
union urges it rightfully may and ought,
that. when the other qualifications are equal, the
soldier should be preferred because he was a
soldier.
Il am opposed to the perpetuation of the
Grand Army, believing the mission of our great
comradeship will have been fulfilled when the
last comrade has joined the final muster-out
Knowing that there is nothing IN the Grand
Army Of the Republic inconsistent with the
most exacting personal duty. the strictest
religion, deem it for the interest of the order to
appoint special committee to lay its nature and
workings before the proper Catholic authorities
of the United States, that they might know our
organization has nothing to conceal, and that
our purposes are commended by all who
understand them The committee reported
having fulfilled its mission, that assurances had
been given by Archbishops Ryan and Gibson
that nothing could be found in the aims of the
Grand Army to prevent any good Cathollc from
becoming member
The commander-in chief deprecated taking
any part IL politics organization. and Erg-
emily advocated the Mexican pension bill and a
bill to grant disabled soldiers pension from the
date of disability. He also urged that Decora-
ton Day be not desecrated by devotion 10 recrea-
ton and pleasure The Womans Relief Corps
now has twenty two permanent and three provls-
ional departments, with subordinate corps IN
nearly all the States where the Grand Army
exists
Resolutions of sympathy with General Grant
were adopted by unanimous rising vote. he
marks were made by several comrades eulog1stlc
Of the sick soldier at Mount McGregor, after
which the usual committees were appointed, ana
various reports presented.
The formal session of the Womans' National
Relief Corps was opened with speeches by Past
Grand Commander Paul Vandeyort, of Nebras-
ka and Past Grand Chaplain Foster. of New
York. Mrs Logan was introduced to the assemo-
ly, and in a few words thanked the delegates for
the manner in which they greeted her. The
report of the President for the year was then
read. After adjournment Mrs. General Logan
held a reception
The members of the Grand Army of the Re-
public spent the day in sightseeing attending
elam-bakes, etc. some in the city and some
going out by rail After routine session of the
national encampment, General Logan was
loudly called for, and appeared He made str
wing speech, giving glowing description OF the
Srand Army of the Republic, its workings, and
Ine benefits of it.
AT the afternoon session the question of
place for holding the next annual encampment
came up. Comrade Holmes of Cali
OF the comrades of the Golden state
TO hold it in San Francisco. he
guaranteed that $4,000 would be subscribed
tnere, for the entertainment of the veterans;
alLOru also u1dUo su clOquOho "PPS"..
N behalf of CALIFORNIA A letter from General
sheridan was then read, strongly indorsing San
francisco.
: Department Commander Hall, of Maine, and
Lnhan Of New Hampshire, also advocated the
aty of the Golden Gate
Comrade Norris. of Nashville extended an
invitation to the encampment to hold the next
reunion there
An invitation from Texas was also presented
After an extended debate ballot was taken,
winch resulted: San Francisco 269; Nashville,
40 The vote in favor of San Francisco was
!hen made unanimous, and the encampment ad-
5o9rned until 10 o'clock tomorrow.
IL is stated that at the secret session, OF the
national eneampment, to-day. Commander Lor-
ing: of Massachusetts,. offered resolution
which was referred to committee,
providing that the G. A. r. organization
iavors giving pension of $9
month to every soldier now living
VINO took part in the war Of the KeoeIlon,
whether disabled or not; that all legislation on
Inc subject of pensions shall be Cancelled, and
mat the 300. 900 applications for pensions now
W he shall be withdrawn.
The johnson Case Given to the Jury.