Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-08-05
THE VISITING VETERANS.
OPENING DAY OF THE ANNUAL
ENCANPMENT.
of the Order Satisfactory
How the Visitors are Being En-
ertained-ComingE Events.

How the Visitors are Being En-
Coming Events.
.srEcIAI BY TELEGRAPH TO THE REcoED-uNIoS. j
SAN FRANcIsco. August 4th.-The Ma
tional Encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic opened at Odd Fellows Hall
this forenoon, and has been in progress
most of the day. The hall was thronged
to its utmost capacity with delegates and
members of the organization. The pro-
ceediDgs OF the Order, at its business meet
ings, being private, visitors were unable to
gain admittance. Delegates only were ad-
mitted at first, and after they were properly
seated their comrades were allowed to en-
ter the galleries. The Oregon delegation
had many visitors at its rooms near by,
where an attractive exhibit was made of
the products of that State.
APPEARANCE OF THE HALL.
The ladies of Lyon Relief Corps, No 6,
had succeeded in decorating the hall in a
tasteful manner, the stage being profusely
ornamented with flowers and growing
vines. On the stage, near the Commander
in-Chief, was a stand, with beautiful al
bum, the latter containing photograph of
every Post Commander in New York, from
the inception of the Order up to the present
time. 1t was gift from the New York to
the California Department. On one side of
the stage was displayed the elegant woven
banner which attracted so much attention
in the procession of the preceding day.
Altogether the general effect of the decora-
tions and arrangement of the hall was ex-
cellent.
OPENING OF THE ENCAMPMENT.
Proceedings were commenced with Com
mander-in- Chief Burdette in the chair, by
whom the assemblage was called to order.
PRAYER was delivered by Rev. l.. II. Stew
art, Chaplain-in-C Chief. Some difficulty
was found in proceeding with the roll-csll,
owing to the fact that many inaccuracies
appeared in the list Of names. For this
reason the entire forenoon was consumed
without any business of importance hav-
ing been accomplished.
REPORT OF THE coNMANDER-IN-cHIEF.
The reading of the annual report of Com
mander-in- Chief Burdette was the first
business in order. lie dwelt upon the fact
that the Grand Army had journeyed, upon
its peaceful mission, " from the manor
house of the pilgrim State to the further
shore OF the country, and hear with glad
ness the music Of waves which sing our
anthem where yesterday the starry flag was
but strange device. 1t has been the lot
of the Grand Army 10 compass the land it
helped to save. Our feet, whist yet shod
with the lightnings of war; knew by toll
some march the highways and byways of
the South our peaceful progress nad led by
pleasant paths to the Eastern shore, to the
northern border, through the loyal center
to the mountain slope, and now at length
beside the peaceful seas having seen of
all its greatness, whilst yet our strength
remains, with united voice we salute again
our dear country, and bless the God of the
fathers that it was his good pleasure 10
privilege us to stand in the battle for its
unity and 10 preserve so many of us to be
partakers of its glories.
POSTS AND MEMBERSHIP
The report recites that on the 31st day of
March, 1885, there were IS departments,
5,026 posts and 9,69f members. On
March 81, 1856, the official returns showed
IS departments, 5,765 posts, and member
ship in good standing of 295, ,337. This is a
net gain during the year of 739 posts and
25 ,643 comrades. Distinguishing between
those actually suspended for non-payment
of dues, and the aggregate membership of
posts noted as suspended for failure TO send
in their reports las the system of returns
now enables to be done), and counting as
in good standing in delinquent posts the
so appearing by their last return,
gives a membership, on March 31st last, of
800. .0S7.
The number of comrades remaining
members of the Grand Army of the Re-
public is 326, ,499. During the year "a. l46
were dropped or suspended. The
causes leading, to this unwelcome state of
facts are various. Some who do not find
their selfish schemes realized drop out,
others grow careless or indifferent, and
others again with advancing age or in poor
financial circumstances do not report for
active duty.
FINANCES.
The account current of the Quarter
master General shows the balance of cash
on hand June 80, 1886. S23 1854 90. On
June 80, 1885, it was S12,006 46, so that the
net receipts for the year were $11,S57 SO.
The presence of this surplus fund raises
charges be cut off or limited, and what
shall be done with present and future ac-
cumul atoms to insure their safety and get
some interest return The Commander-in-
Chief suggests the reduction of the price
of the membership badge to 50 cents, and
the investment of the surplus
in United States bonds.
RELIEF FOR MEMBERS.
In the annual report of the Adiutant-
General, accompanying, it is shown that
the sum expended during the year for
charitable purposes was SIG, ,259 81, but the
report of the InspectorGeneral shows an
under this head, for the same
period, by but 4 GIG Posts out of the 5,765
now in existence, of $205, ,673 80, and as
in the relief fund $301,-
OH 76. The Commander-in-C Chief refers to
these figures, both for congratulation and
congratulation that our great
principles of fraternity and charity still
have exemplification, and complaint that
the proper officers of many of the Posts fail
TO make due record and report on this head.
Except in one instance, the Commander
in-Chief saw nothing in the condition of the
departments which required special re-
mark. This was in New York, where GER
tain alleged delinquencies occurring in the
Department of New York were made the
subject of newspaper surmise. Under the
circumstances it was deemed judicious to
order a special inspection of the department
records, which was thoroughly and con-
scientiously done.
THE RELIEF CORPS.
Referring to the Woman's Relief Corps,
the Commander-in-C Chief says it has already
become the recognized auxiliary of the
Grand Army of the Republic. On the
Ist of last March there were S2S corps,
with 30,72S members. The charitable ex-
penditures for the three-quarters of the
past year were $4,000.
PENSIONS.
The Committee on Pensions reports the
whole number of persons upon the pension
rolls from 1861 to June 3, 1886, to be 561,-
sSl, and the amount paid TO these persons
during that period is $3.50, $4,000 Is. The
United States Government has been so
great in her generous justice on the sub
ject OF pensions that it is but due to ac-
knowledge it.