The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-09-13
THE G. A. R. ENGAMPMHNI'
The Business Session Begun at
Columbus Yesterday.
THE REPORTS OF OFFICERS
Show the Organization is in Splendid
Condition Financially and 9th
erwlse-A Great Increase
in Membership.

Y .CoLuMBUs, ONO, Sept. 18th
= National Encampment proper be
! gan this morning. The receptions, cam
l fires and parade OF yesterday being pre-
. liminary to the actual work of the en-
campmcnt. The Grand Army OF tn
Republic, the womens' Relief Corps
, the Ladies of the Grand Army OF tn
Republic, the Army Of West Virginia
Sheridan's division and other divisions
brigades and regimental associations
met in various pats Of the city, but thu
encampments were strictly secret, nom
but members being admitted.
CoMMANDER-IN-cHlEF REA's ADDRESS.
In the course of his annual address
Commander-in.C Chief Rea says:
On March 81, 1887, the total member
ship OF our order in good standing was
320,936; on March 81, 1888, it was 354, ,29G
making net gain OF comrades in good
standing during the year embraced with
in those dates OF $3.50, an excess oi
1861 over the net gain OF the previous
year. II is due 10 my distinguished
predecessor to say that more than half
the net gain OF the last official year was
made during the first half OF the year,
which was included within his term OF
Office. The reports for the quarter end
ing June 30 show gain by muster OF
1889 aud total membership in good
standing OF 3Gl 1862, with loss from de-
linquent reports OF G,GGS, all OF whom it
may he assumed are in good standing in
their respective posts. Omitting the
loss from delinquent reports, the net
gain during the last quarter was II, 100.
The reports show that on June 80, there
were 395,245 comrades on the roll, to
which may safely be added sufficient
number OF transfer cards to swell the
grand total to 100000.
After speaking at some length OF the
future OF the order and denounCing the
use OF the Grand Army badges for politi-
cai effect, he endorsed the legislation
proposed by the last Encampment wi hich
failed TO pass in Congress, and expressed
his desire for further action in the same
line. During the year 4,4SS comrades
died, being an increase OF ,227 over the
previous year, and death rate OF over
twelve day.
He continues: "Duringthe.past year,
the reports show that there was expen-
ded in charity the sum OF S2ld,9I5 10.
This, OF course, does not include the
many thousanda Of dollars which have
been given by members privately in aid
Of less fortunate comrades"
lie spoke touchingly OF the death OF
General Sheridan. He calls especial at
tentioni to the Women's Relief Corps,
the Sons OF Veterans and Army and
Navy Survivors piviRlon, and Of the
regard future generations will have for
them and their work.
The other National officers also sub
mitted their reports at the morning
session.
Adiutant General Daniel Fish, of
Minneapolis, read his report, the main
item in which are contained in the re-
port Of the Commander in Chief.
The report OF Comrade w. G. Veasey,
Judge Advocate General, was then
made. 1t opens with u reference to the
proposition OF the lRte j. W. Drexel, a
lifelong friend OF General Grant, togive
the
MOUNT M'dREGoR COTTAGE,
where General Grant died, to the Grand
Army. This matter wSs conferred to
him by the Commander in Chief and in
order TO close the matter legally he drew
up bill Incorporating the "Mt. McGre.
gor Memorial Association" which
named ]. W. Drexel, John P. Rea, G.
Treaiwell and John Kellog, as incorpo-
rators. The hill was passed by the New
York Legislature, but Governor Hills
signature was withheld on account Of
the death OF Mr.. Drexel. Comrade Yea
soy assures the encampmept that the
Drexel heirs wish to carry out the pur-
poses Of the bequest. He reports the
conditions of the bill which provides,
among other things, for u perpetual
board OF control and submits tho matter
as it now stands.
Comrade John Taylor, Of Philadei-
phia, Qusrtermaster General, then
mada his report for the year ending
August 81, 1888. His financial state.
ment shows that the cash balance on
hand August 81, 1887, was Sl2,G0l 8s,
and the teceipts:tor the year $S7,57T l3.
The expenditures were S35, 1853 n, leav-
ing q halanOe on hand August 81, 1888,
of $l4,225 "a. The total assets are S37,,
$40 95, and there are no liabilities, The
contributions to the Grant monument
fund are now $9,42S 40 81, ,l4Q l9 hay-
ing been received since the last report.
The expenditures previously reported
were $i03 0h, this leaving n balance
to the credit OF the fund Of 50, ,235 "a.
Milwaukee, Wis, was chosen as the
place for holding the next encampment.
Considerable business was transacted
butt was OF q routine character.
THE ARMY OF WEST VIRGINIA,
In the evening camp fires were kept
brightly burning all oyer town, the old
Vets joining with their comrades in
recalling old times. The Army of West
Virginia had big time in the big tent,
and 5000 people or more were present
to, participate. General II, B. Hayes
presided. General George Crook was
introduced and after tremendous
round Of cheers excused himself. Cor
poral Tanner was introduced by eX-
President Hayes. His pathetic stories
OF army life brought tears TO the eyes Of
hisaudience. Thomas =. Swapp, Of West
Virginia, who had worn the gray, was
next introduced and received q
royal Welcome but some one
started a call for Foraker and he stopped
speaking. Governor Foraker, OF Ohio,
was called on, and expressed his regret
that Col. Swami had not Gnished his
speech, and the audience called that
gentlemRR out once more. He gave an
eloauentresponse, ayowing updying love
for The old flag Of the Union and ex.
plainiug what he considered the cause Of
the war,
Almost the Last of His Kind.