Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-09-21
THE G. A. r. ENCAMpMENT.
An ENJOYABLE Time at Columbus. Ohio


In the soldiers parade AT Columbus, Ohio,
on the llth inst, Michigan was headed by
FarQuhar post of Detroit, in which Gen.
Alger marched on foot, much 20 the delight
Of the boys. A pleasant feature Of the pa
rade was company OF 100 children from
the Ohio soldiers and ilOrs orphans
home ~ Xenia who came IN "A special train.
Gen. Sherman put in an appearance early
in the day, and was loudly checred. Mrs.
Logan, Mrs Alger and Mrs. Foraker came
next and the crowds again expressed de
light. Last Of all Judge Thurman came
also, aud he, too, found favor with the be-
holders. As the posts filed past, Gen. Alger,
Gen. Fairchild, Gov. Foraker, Commander
in-Chief kea, ex President Hayes and Gov.
Thayer OF Nebraska, mounted the review
ing stand.
The special features Of the parade caused
great amusement: Garden truck and chick
ems that reminded one OF Sherman
Bummers," an immense brass canteen car
red by half dozen men and "A stuffed ca
gle. The Garfield post of Mentor carried
an excellent likeness Of President Garfield.
When the Sheridan battalion OF Somerset,
o., marched by the stand there was tuInul-
tuOus cheering, as was also the case on the
appearance OF John A. Logan post and L.
-. Grant post. One post from baltimore,
o., had a beautiful cannon made entirely
of buckeyes. The eK prisoners ~ the war
and Andrews raiders were favorites with
the crowds and kept oil the time RESPOND
ing 10 applause. The naval squadron set
of day fireworks
The veterans passed by their old leaders
on the reviewing stand and Cheered ana
saluted the wife Of their gallant Black
Jack" Wisconsin men had "a badger which
was carried just behind Gov. Rusk as he
marched on foot with his comrades
Michigan was headed by Farquhar post OF
Detroit III which Gen Alger marched on
foot. The Sons Of Veterans, nearly all in
uniform and many carrying arms, received
continued applause.
Gov. Forakers speech was one Of his
usual efforts. He spoke of the surplus IA
the United States treasury as result Of
the saving Of the country and expressed
his desire 10 use il up in paving il 10 those.
who earned II during the war. He ex-
pressed his contempt for those who had
hired substitutes, and when the audience
yelled, Hit him again he said he was
not hitting anyone but as the representa-
tive of the people Of Ohio he must talk
plain, and whether il hurt anyone WAS not
his business
The national encampment proper began
on the morning of the 18th inst, the recep-
tons camp fires and parade Of the previous
day being preliminary 10 the actual work
OF the encampment. The Grand Army Of
the Republic, the Women's Relief Corps
the ladies' Of the G.. a. r., the Army OF
West Virginia, Naval Veterans, Sheridans
division and other divisions, brigade and
regimental associations met in various
parts OF the city, bat the encampments
were strictly secret
In his annual address Commander-in-
Chief Rea SAYS "On March 81. 1857, the
mem bership Of our order in good standing
was 32O, 1875 on March 81, 1888, il was 3o4
2lb, making net gain OF 80, 30. The re
ports for the quarter ending Juno 30 show
"A gain by muster OF 1892, and total mem
bership in good standing of :Sil .:sj2, with "A
loss from delinquent reports OF d ts3 all OF
whom II may be assumed are in good stand
ing In their respective posts. Omitting The
loss from delinquent reports, the net gain
during the last quarter was II, ip9. The
reports show that on June 30 there were
3S5, 245 comrades borne on the rolls, 10
which may safely be added sufficient
number out on transfer cards 20 swell the
grand total 10 400. 800"
After speaking at some length Of the
future growth Of the order. denouncing
the use of the Grand Army badge for polit-
ical effect, he endorsed the legislation pro-
posed by the last encampment, which fail
ed TO pass congress. and expressed bis de
sire for further action in the same line.
During the year I 4;l3 comrades died, being
an increase OF l,09S over the previous year
and death rate Of over ~ a day. During
the past year the repOrts show that there
was expended in charity the sum Of s2l5-
1913. This, Of course, does not include
the many thousands of dollars which have
been gwen by members privately in aid OF
less fortunate comrades. He spoke touch
ingly of the death Of Gen. Phil Sheridan.
He calls especial attention 20 the Womans'
Relief Corps. the Sons Of Veterans and the
army and navy survivors division, and the
regard future generations will have for
them and their WORK.