The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-14
THE BOSTON REUNION.
Grand Army Has Nearly Half
Million Members.
THE NEW PENSION LAW GOOD.
Gen. AIger's Addrcss--Interstats Com
merce Commissioner yeasey Chosen
Communicated Chief.

BosToN. Aug. 13.-The convention of the
Twenty-fourth National Encampment of
the G. A. r. came to order in the Music
hall at II O'Clock. Prayer was offered by
Past Chief Chaplain |. n. Foster. Com.
mander-in- Chief Aiger then delivered the
annual address.
He congratulated his hearers on celebrat-
ing the twenty-tifth anniversary of
the end of the rebellion in
the historic city known as the
Cradle of Liberty" and delivered war m
words of welcome to General Sherman. He
reported the condition of the organic alton
as excellent. The total membership borne
on the rolls was 458. 230. against 427, 1881
year ago. Afser referring TO the disap-
pointment in the ranks that congress had
not passed the service pension bill, the
speaker continued:
Much apprehension exists, think, concern
ing the durability bill passed June ~ 1890. By
a careful reading of this law and the official ex-
PLANTATION OF it, it will be seen that no matter
what a mar.'s financial condition may be, if he
be physically disabled from performing
manual labor, he is entitled TO
pension, the conditions being, first, physical
disability, not necessarily con traced in the SER
vice, and second, proof of such disability may
be made upon a Certificate from his physician
and without the testimony OF his former COM
rades. Should any member of this
encampment today receive permanent
injury no the result Of his own vicious habits,
he would be entitled to a pension. Let as be
just to our lawmakers, even though they have
not given all we asked. No country on the earth
is or ever has been nearly SO generous to its SOL
diery as ours.
Concerning the Grant monument,
General Alger said:
An ordinary plain vault on the banks of the
Hudson marks the resting place OF our great
chieftain. This is not creditable either TO US or
TO the nation. There should be erected at the
capital of this government, dedicaied to the
memory Of this great man, memor ial building
such as will be credit to the whole people, not
shaft, not statue, but monumental struc-
lure such as has not been built in
this or any other country, to which
every citizen within the domains of this
great land can refer with just pride.
/ recommend that committee OF five be ap-
pointed by this encampment whose duties shall
be in accordance with the foregoing, and en-
pioyed to solicit sid from the general govern
ment and individuals.
The address was received with frequent
expressions OF approval.
The reports OF AID jutant General George
II. Hopkins, of Detroit, and Quartermaster
General John Taylor, of Philadelphia, were
presented. They were OF routine charac-
ter.
Inspector General Griffiths reported the
order growing numerically strong and
working earnestly and harmonlously in
furthering the grand objects for which it
was organized. He presented q table
showing that the number OF posts in the
Grand Army June 80, 1890, was 1888: num-
Der OF comrapes in good standing in posts
inspected to June 80. 35l, 244; number of
posts inspected, 500; number of posts not
inspected, 1857; total expended for charity,
1882. 500: amount remaining in relief fund,
$475. $50.
Surgeon-General Porter recommends
that inspectors be required to examine Off
and general matters pertaining to the
organization.
The care of destitute and needy COM
rades, the pension law report says, should
harmonic with the natural history of all
disability contracted while the victim is in
the service of the United States and the
line of duty, and which is not the result of
his own vicious habits.
At the afternoon session officers were
elected. the principal positions going to the
East in pursuance, as it's claimed by some,
of the plan to give the encampment to the
West three successive years, Detroit in
1891, Topeka in 1892 and Chicago in 1898.
The roll was called and the representatives
OF each state had an opportunity to
name their nominee for commander
in-chief. California presented Colonel
Smeddburg. retired officer of the regular
army. Connecticut nominated Colonel
Wheelock G. Veasey; Maine seconded the
nomination. Indiana and Ohio supported
Genera. Alvin P. Hovey. Montana sup
ported Smeddburg, while Minnesota.
Idaho and Iowa expressed preference for
Colonel Veasey. New York, Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island. Tennessee, Texas and Yer
mont supported Colonel Veasey. Utah.
Virginia and Alaska wanted Colonel
Smeddburg, and Illinois was the last state
to respond for Colonel veasey. As the
roil-call ended Colonel Smeddburg and
General Hovey Withdrew their names,
This was greeted with great applause. and
by unanimous vote Colonel Veasev was
declared elected communicating chief.
Colonel Veasey accepted the honor in
brief speech.
Next in order was the selection of candi.
date for senior accommodated
and II being considered that the Office. ont
OF courtesy, belonged to Massachusetts. the
matter was left with the delegates from
THAT state. The name of Richard +. Tobin
was presented as the unanimous choice.
George T. Cramer of Balti more. was un.
animously elected junior vic e-commander.
The remainder of the officers will he
elected tomorrow.
General Aeer temporarily urrenderea
the chair to Hon. Warner Miller. who in a
few brief remarks moved that the next en-.
campment be held ct Detroit. The motion
prevailed by unanimous vote. Among
the members of the COMMITTEES on resoIr,-
tons are r. II. Warfeld, of Holdsbor
Col; A. S. Center, shoshone. Idaho. r r
fi>ke, heiena, Mon.; o. F. Summers. Port
land, Ore., and Colonel Will l.. yischer of
fairhayen, Wash. Adjourned till to.mor-
row.
Coionel Wheeiock G. Veasy, one of the inter
state comm ssloners, who was today elected
lnenIer-ln,ehief OF the G. A. f., is native
OF new Ram rshire, snd has Just passed his so,h
year. de was graduated from Dartmonth col.
iege with honors, ana is one of the present
board OF trustees He wss also graduated fror, fine
AiSany law school, aud taking up his residence
at Rutland. VT, was admitted TO the bar of Yer.
mont liz 1850. Upon the breaking ont of The war
ne eniis'ed as private. and in 1Sso became
eo.onei oil the Sixteenth Vermont regiment. He
s win great distinction through the war
ana won credit for his gallant 6ghtine
III many fields. Upon the mastering
our OF ais regiment, Judge veasey returned TO
me practice OF his profession. being associated
AZ business while with Proctor now secretary
Oh ~af. lie was for ten years Judge of the SUI
pleihe court OF Vermont, and resigned tina, DO