The National tribune., 1889-09-26
PRISONERS OF WAR.
Meeting at Milwaukee OF the 18th Annual COnven-
tion OF the National Association Officers Elected.

49, 1889.
Thomas Fl. Mckee, President, called the
Convention to order, and requested Rev. J. $.
Ferguson, of Missouri, to invoke the Divine
blessing.
The report of the Secretary and Treasurer
was read, and showed reasonable progress in
the affairs of the association during the past
year. He reports that there are now in exist
ence about 81 different Union Ex-PrisoneTs
organizations, though all of them have not yet
connected themselves with the National As
ISOLATION. He says in this report: "A majority
of these associations are located in small towns
cities, and are necessarily limited in their
membership, but they appear to make up in
zeal what they lack in numbers, as, with
scarcely an exception. they appear to be enthu-
siastc in all good work for the benefit of their
comrades. Without doubt many more local
associations could be organized and brought
into the fold of the National Association if the
proper persons could be reached by circulars
and other matter giving them the necessary
information. This could be greatly facilitated
if comrades in all directions would give TO the
Secretary the names of those who would be
likely to take interest in the matter. The list
ofindividual members has been increased until
they number about 300 on the rolls ofthe associa-
ton. Owing To the fact that eX prisoners are so
much scattered in ali parts of the country, this
is, in my opinion the most practical way to in
crease the membership of this association, and
instead of being confined to a few hundred upon
its rolls, should number many thousands.
Without this method it is impractical for those
living in remote places to have official connec-
tiOn with any ex- prisoner organization, or re-
ceive any benefits therefrOm."
There was received from all sources during
the year $55z.47, and disbursed for expenses
and salary of Secretary and Treasurer S4S6.Jo
leaving in the treasury a balance Of SI0049.
This report was referred to Ezra II. Ripple,
of Pennsylvania, aud S. NJ. Long, Of New Jer-
sey. rs an Auditing Committee.
On motion Of o. X. McNary, a Committee on
Pension Legislation was appointed, consisting
of f. III. Williams, of Indiana; F. A. Cleveland,
of Illinois, and J. s. Ferguson, of Missouri.
A Committee on Resolutions composed OF
Charles f. Sheriff, David G. Nesbit and Geo.
w. Simpson, was appointed.
On motion Of o. r. MeNary, committee of
three was appointed to report an amendment
to the Constitution giving representation to in
dividual members in the Conventions Of the
National Association. o. r. MeNary, J. +. Hol-
Tiger and Louis Benecke committee.
After remarks by many members Of good
cheer for Union ex-prisoners, the Convention
adjourned to meet at Lincoln Hall, corner OF
Grand avenue and Sixth street, at P. m.
EVENING SESSION.
The President called the Convention to order,
and asked for reports Of committees.
The Committee on Representation in the Ma
tional Convention to Individual Members re-
ported the following amendment to See. ], Arti-
Gle 2, Chap. 2: " Individual members, who are
not within the bounds Of any State having
local associations, shall be entitled to one dele
gate and one alternate for every 50 members in
good standing. such delegate and alternate to
be appointed and furnished with credentials
by the President of the National Association"
After much debate this report was indef-
nitely postponed.
The Committee on Treasurer's Accounts re-
ported as follows: Your Auditing Committee
TO whom was referred the examination of the
books of the Treasurer for the past year. would
respectfully report that they have examined
the same, and find them to be in accord with
the report of the Treasurer as made to this as
ISOLATION" Adopted.
The Committee on Resolutions reported:
Resolved That the resolution adopted at the meet
ing of the National Association at Chicago in 1887
locating the headquarters OF the National Associa-
ton at Washington City, ID. O., be stricken out.
Adopted.
Whereas II has been suggested TO this Conven-
ton, the part OF comrades living in the State of
Georgia, that the hand which AndersOnvlIe
Stock AIDE located, and was the scene Of so much
suffering and distress TO many thousands Of our llv-
ing and dead comrades, be converted into public
park. in which should be erected a monument 10
their memory; Therefore be 10
ReSotred That the subject be referred to n COM
miItee of three, To inquire into the matter and
report TO the next annual convention.
Committee: John McElroy. of Washington,
ID. C.; Ezra II. Ripple, of Scranton, Pa, and
l.. Il. GessneT, of Ohio
The following amendment to the constitu-
ton, extending Article 3 Chap. ]. as TO the OBJ
iects of the National Association, was adopted:
''To correct false statements concerning rebel
prisons, in order that historical justice may be
done ourselves and the subject"
Also, an amendment 10 Sec 6, Article 8,
Chap. ., further defining the duties of the
| Historian. was adopted. as follows: " It shall
also be his duty to collect and preserve au-
| thentic material facts in relation to rebel
| prisoners aud prison life and exchange Of
| prisoners including copies OF all orders issued
| by officers or authorities on beth sides, with a
| view To publishing q correct history
| The Committee ON Pension Legislation, not
| having completed its labsTs, were directed to
submit their work to the regular Pension Com
| mittee of the Association, who viii complete
| the same. and forward it to the President of
the National Association. to DO by him prOmul-
| gated for the information Of ex-priSOners.
| Ii was then ordered that the Association pro-
! coed TO the election Of officers for the ensuing
! year.
Louis Berrecke, OF Missouri, moved that the
| present officers be reelected.
| The President thereupon positively declin-
| ing n reelection, the following nominations
| were made for the Office of President:
| L. III. Williams. OF Indianapolis. Ind; Geo.
| W. Grant. of Minneapolis Mimi; j. NJ. Foster,
| of Hartford. Conn.
| Messrs. s. NJ. Long of New Jersey, and Lewis
| Maish, of Minnesota were appointed tellers.
Upon announcing the result of the first bal
| lot, it being found that neither candidate had
| a majority of all the votes cast, Mt Foster de-
| clined further candidacy. aud upon the second
ballot +. Ii. Williams having received a ma
| jority of the votes east, he was declared elected,
| which, upon motion of George W. Grant, was
I made unanimous.
John NJ. Kline of Washington, d. C., was
elected Vice President; Rev. John S. Ferguson,
of Missouri, Chaplain, and .. Il. McNary, OF
| Kansas, Historian.
SM. Long, Ezra II. Ripple. Thomas Fl. Nc
Kee and Norman l.. Hope were elected Execu-
tive Committee.
Vice-Presidents for the several States were
elected as follows: California, G. I. Hull; Col
orado. james Leonard; Connecticut, Norman
l.. Hope; District of Columbia, l.. A. Little
field; illinois, f. A. Cleveland; Indiana, /. ".
Walker; Iowa, Milton T. Russell Kansas, An
drew NJ Callahan Kentucky, Samuel Mckee;
Maryland, WIN. A. Noel; Massachusetts,, Chas.
G.. Davis; Michigan James L. Hale; Mime
sota George W. Grant; Maine, Elton W. Ware
Missouri, w. III. Morse; Nebraska, b. b. Adj
drews; New Hampshire. ]. J. Dillon Ohio, Da-
Vid G. Nesbit; Pennsylvania, Charles +. SHEER
riff; West Virginia, Thomas Reed Wisconsin,
L. r. Stillman; Vermont. ii. c. II. Lewis.
Committee on Pensions, ]. NJ. Foster, Con-
necticut; George w. Grant, Minnesota, and +.
A. Cleveland, Illinois.
A vote of thanks was rendered the outgoing
officers