The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-01-08
THE GRAND ARMY.
The New Year Opens Briskly---NewS
From the Departments.
HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN.
TOLEDO. O.. Jan. 3. 1855.

TOLEDO, o., Jan. 3, 1885.
The new year has opened brightly, with
everything moving briskly at Headquarters
New Years day was given up largely TO social
festivities, winding up with reception in the
evening, given at Headquarters By the Ma
tional officers OF the Womau's Relief Corps.
COMMANDMENT Chief Kountz, Adj 't-Gen. Al
corn, and many friends of the Relief Corps in
and out of Grand Army circles were present,
AMI delightful social evening was passed.
Monday evening Commander Kountz and
staff visit Wiley Post, at Bowling Green, o.,
and Thursday evening next go to Bellevue, to
be present on each occasion at the installation
of officers followed by q special reception. The
COMMUNICATIVE Chief leaves on Saturday, the
1lth, for his Eastern trip, and will be at WASH
ington on the 18th Of January to be present at
the conference of the Grand Army Pension
Committee, when additional measures will be
taken to secure the passage of the Mexican
Pension bill and its amendments. The follow
ing order has just been issued:
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBIIC,
TOLEDO, o., Jan. ., 1885,
General Orders No. IL
The Commander-in-Chi deems il his duty to
urge upon comrades the necessity of taking active
measures induce Congress to pass at Its present
session the Mexican Pension Bill with Amend
mcnts, now pending in the Eouse of Representa-
uvcs.
While this bin does not meet all the just demands
of the soldiers of the late war, ii Is nevertheless an
advanced step IN that direction embracing as IL
docs most Of the recommendations of the National
Pension Committee of the Grand Army of the Re-
public and it is undoubtedly the best that can he
obtained at this session. its passage will bring in
calcuiabe relief TO thousands oflong suffering COM
rades and the widows and orphans of those who
have passed beg ond mortal aid. The Senate passed
this bill at its last session, and II now only awaits
the favorable action Of the House of Representa-
tives, and the approval Of the President, to become
law.
II is confidently believed that a united express
sion by the comrades OF the Grand Army of the Re-
public, together with the tens of thousands of cti-
pens who favor this bill, made at once to the House
bf REPRESENTATIVES will secure the passage of this
much needed Pension legislation before the close
OF the present session.
1t is urged that comrades in every locality I'M
mcdia.ely make organized effort 10 obtain this
expression; and If is suggested that each Post di-
vide tie territory within its jurisdiction into dis
trictS that can he canvaSsed IN few days and the
work ofobaining signatures petitions be assigned
to such comrades friends as will give imnIedi-
ate and active attention to the work. By such
means, within a few weeks at farthest million of
names may be presented to the House asking for
the passage of this bill and there is little doubt
that such request will he needed. Blank petitions
have already been sent to all Posts. Should more
be needed, they can be had upon application to the
Chairman OF the Pension Committee, Grand Army
of the Republic, No. l405 Street, n. W. Washing
ton, ID: C., to whom all petitions should he for
warded when completed.
But few weeks remain of the present session.
Whatever is possible TO do, should be done at once.
Our comrades who need relief need it n0sC. A
year, even a few months may be too tate for
many VINO are Already weary Win long waiting
&nd patient suffering.
BY command OF JOHN s. koUNrZ.
WV AIcoRN. Commander-in-C Chief
Acknowledgement.
DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA.
The Department of Florida which has been
at standstill owing to the fact that Comrade
f. M. Wicker of Key West, left the State for
his former residence Iockport, NY has been
reorganiZed by the election of Senior Vice Com
mander F. S. Wilmarth, of Jacksonville as De-
partment Commander. This was done at a
recent meeting of the Council of Administra-
tisn. Comrade G. III. Norton was at the same
time elected Senior Vice Commander, and COM
rade w. w. Hunt Junior Vice Commander.
Department Commander Wilmarth has ap-
pointed Comrade Sam W. Fox, of Jacksonville,
Assistant Adjutant- General. A meeting of the
Encampment will be called for the third Tues
day in April. Comrade Wilmarth means bus
mess and the Department viii soon take its
stand among the perfected organizations of the
GAR.
XENIA ORPHANS HOME.
Department Commander Lloyd, of Cincin-
matt, and Senior Vice Commander Brown of
GAINESVILLE, visited the Soldiers Orphans Home
at Xenia, and distributed the presents to the
happy orphans TO the number of 600 or more.
CHARTER DYE LOST.
The Departments of New Mexico, Utah,
Washington Territory, Tennessee, Georgia and
Florida have not yet received their Department
charters, owing TO the fact that the charter dye
has been lost. We learned from the Adjutant-
General that engrossed charters will shortly be
issued TO all of these.