The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-14
Account of the WOman's Relief Corps
Work for the Poor and Destitute.
ACamp-Fire Where Stirring Songsand Speech
es Revived the ArdOr of Patriotic Sentiment
Addresses of Gen. Warner and Others.
MEN WHO WORE THE BLUE.

Comrades of the Army Of the Sixties Meet
I'm Their Annual Encampment.
The annual encampment of the Indiana
Department of the Grand Army of the Re-
public opened yesterday morning. A per-
feet spring day greeted the 1900 OF more of
the gray-haired veterans who wore the
blue. Early in the forenoon the uniform of
the Grand Army was conspicuous on all of
the principal streets, and as trains from diff
ferent partso the State came in the throng
increased, until the hotels and various
places of rendezvous were crowded with
the delegates and visitors to the encamp-
ment. Every county is represent
ed, and many of them by their
most prominent citizens. In honor
of the visitors many business men decor
ated their stores, and gave to the city
semi-holiday appearance. The veterans, as
they arrived, were welcomed at the New
Denison House by the members of the local
posts who, at 10 o'clock, acting as an escort
for the delegates, led a parade along the
principal streets. The column was headed
by the Anderson Corps Band and COM
manded by COmrade Joseph r. Forbes.
, The line of march extended from the New
Denison along Market, Illinois, Washing
ton and Delaware streets to Tomlinson
Hall, the place of meeting. In front of the
hall the escort formed in open or
der while the delegates and visitors
fled through into the hall. Large crowds
heartily greeted the veterans along the
line of march. The hall presented beau
tiful picture. decorated. as it was, with the
national colors and insignia of the order.
$ho 70
thus recalling the times when the comrades
were together, tenting on the old camp
ground.
The proceedings of the forenoon were
nearly all routine in character. Depart
ment Commander A. ID. VanosdoI was
given a cordial wei come as he appeared
upon the stage to call the encampment to
order. He delivered brief address, saying
that twenty-three years had come and gone
since the first campfire of this patriotic or
der was Endled. Time has thinned our
ranks" said he, mbht not dimmed the
lustre OF that brilliant record made by
those grand armies of 1875, of which we
are but the remnant. The past year has
been a prosperous one for the Grand Army.
we meet under suspicious circumstances.
Harmony prevails throughout this depart
Inent. The fraternal ties of comradeship
have grown stronger during the past year.
Suspensions and death have taken from us
many comrades since our last an.
the Grand Army was never bet
ter than at present. All attempts
to disrupt the Grand Army of
the Republic for partisan purposes have
proven futile in this department.. RecOg-
nizing that the rules and regulations gov
erning this order are broad enough for
every comrade to stand thereon, who pos
sesses an honorable discharge from the
Union armies, and upon whom no stain of
treason rests, regardless of his political
views or religious preferences. we denOunce
every effort to convert the Grand Army of
the Republic into partisan political or
ganiZation destructive of the grand
purposes and objects for which the order
was instituted. Notwithstanding liberal
appropriations have been made the finan-
cial condition of the department. is crafty
ing. The Women's Relief Corps has
rendered invaluable service to the desti-
tute and distressed, and gratifying gains
have been made by it."
Continuing, the commander Endorsed the
'SOns of Veterans" and spoke In high
praise of the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans
Home at Knightstown. The institution,
an honor to the State, was managed
in way that was highly satisfactory to
work of the soldiers monument commit
tee. and hoped for the day when an honor
able discharge would become the veterans
pension certificate. He suggested that the
zion extended thanks TO all the officers and
committees of the order for the many
Ourtesies shown him.
Following the address the annual reports
4 the officers of the order were read. The
epOrt of Assistant Acknowledgement /. n.
Walker showed that there are 4S9 posts in
he State, with a membership of &c, 722.
he number Is increasing at a surprising
ate, considering the fact that the number
persons eligible to membership is con-
lnually decreasing. Since the last en-
ampment 2.551 new members have been
lustered in, and that number taken with
editions from other States and reinstate-
.ents, had increased the roll of names
$50. During the year 500 veterans had
<ed and $685. 40 was expended for relief
742 members and their fam
I'D also been relieved during the year.
lie report further showed that there re-
mined in the relief fund s., 291.69, while
th amount of post funds and property, in
ysrly receipts of the department. from all
s0rces were S7,342.1S..
assistant Quartermaster Whitsett's re-
pot showed that the cash on hands on
Mach z, 1889. was S2.05O12, with total as
set amounting to S5.747.5s. 1t was further
stated by that officer that, In response to
thtgeneral order requesting contributions
fothe entertainments of children at the
Sohiers' and Sailors, Orphans Home on
Christmas, S150.17 had been received from
fory-three posts and one relief corps. Among
the other reports presented were those
from Senior Vice-commander Sexton.
JUROR Vice-commander Mcdonald, Medi-
cal Director Tucker, Judge Advocate Will
iims, Department Inspector Fits, and
others. All exhibited a satisfactory condi
ton in their respective departments. After
the regular reports had been received a
lengthy ore was presented from the presi-
dent of the Woman's Relief Corps the
same as that read at the meeting of that
organization. Lit was received and a COM
lnittee headed by Chaplain Lozier was ap-
pointed to wait upon the corps and tender
the thanks of the department for the good
work accomplished.
The attendance was much larger in the
afternoon, but routine business continued
to occupy the attention of the encampment.
The visiting committee to the Soldiers and
Sailors Orphans Home presented de-
tailed account of what had been done there
during the year. and commended Comrade
Boyd for what he, as a Senator, had accom-
plished for the Home. tribute was also
paid TO Captain Harris, the retiring trustee,
and TO Mrs Sarah 4. Pittman, who, the
committee found, had done much toward
perfecting the work of the institution.
The reports of the committees to
whom the reports of officers had
been referred at the morning session
were received and concurred in. and the
report of the council of administration
was adopted unanimously. The council
made some changes in the manner of gov
eminent during the year which they think
VIII be found advantageous.
Gen. VIM. Warner, national commander
u A ~ m "A