The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-09-04

few minutes Then the big cloud Of smok o
smothered the enthusiasm and shut off
the view No one knew where the vessels
were or what they were doing. The burn
ing Of the big three-masted vessel was not
an impressive spectacle. 1t was anchored
so far out that it looked about the size Of
a beer k-g. The blowing up of the other
vessel was also dreary fizzle. 1t was
anchored off Grand Haven and when Ii
blew up there was only a splitter, tiny
cloud of smoke, and report like the
crackle in telephone The crowd, how
ever, was grand one, and a larger one
has probably never before been seated in
the West. 1t was very orderly multi
tude and no casualties are reported.
On the United States ship Fessan-
den a premature discharge of one of the
cannons injured two men. Charles Matte
scheck and John Schultz, sailors, were
wounded about the body and head. Both
are at the Emergency hospital, and
Schultz may not recover. Two gunners
on the mortar boats were also injured by
the explosion Of a mortar. Their wounds
are in the legs and they will recover.
They were also taken TO the Emergency
hospital
A little row was caused in the encamp-
ment proceedings over the proposition to
indorse the Ladies of the Grand Army of
the Republic" The opposition declared
that the Grand Army wants no more
auxiliary organizations and said the
Ladies' of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic'' ought TO join the Woman's Relief
corps if they want TO help the old soldiers
and the order. Finally the resolution was
amended TO read: IBID the Woman's Re-
let corps godspeed in its work. "
The project to indorse the administra-
ton of the pension bureau by Corporal
Tanner povoked the next fight, and for
long time the encampment wrangled over
the wording of the resolution. Mr.. Per-
kins of Kansas introduced resolution
heartily thanking the administration OF
President Harrison for the honor il had
conferred on the Grand Army in appoint
ing Corporal Tanner as pension commits
sioner, and heartily indorsng his conduct
of the bureau, because it was cree ed
for tho benefit of the soldiers
and sail ors of the late war,
and denounsing the bitter and malig-
nant" criticism of the press upon his Off
cial conduct. Gen. Barnum OF New York
offered n substitute to the effect that not
withstanding the assaults of an unfriendly
press the encampment declared its belief
in the integrity of Tanner and its approval
of his efforts to do all for the soldiers and
sailors that the law will allow.
AT the afternoon session Barnum's sub
stitute was redrafted 20 read as follows:
"That we thank President Harrison for
the appointment of our comrade, James
Tanner, as commissioner. of pensions, and
that notwithstanding the assault made on
him, we declare our complete confidence
in his integrity and our approval of his
endeavors 10 do all that can be done under
the laws for the veterans of the war; and,
in injection with him, we ask full in
vestIgaton of his administration of the
affans of the pension bureau "
Ii was n opted under suspension of the
rules unanimously amid great cheering.
The next important measure broughtup
was in relation TO the pension OF widows.
A resolution was introduced declaring that
the pensIon law should be so changed that
the widows Of Union soldiers might marry
again snd not forfeit their pensions. The
resolution was cheersd by portion of the
assemblage only. Thomas Of Illinois was
opposed to il and Corporal Tanner warmly
supported the bill A heated debate en-
sued between Tanner and Thomas OF llli-
nois. and Thomas used very strong
language against the corporal vote
was finally taken and the resolution was
aid on the table by big majority. This
vas i'm accordance with the recommended
tion of the committee on resolutions. The
oesertion clause was discussed at length,
lst no action was taken.