Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-08-22

patriots in later days have been in
spired to perform heroic deeds by tn
example OF these patriots who first de
clared that this land should be free an,
have tried to emulate their example
on scores of fields that have tested tn,
courage OF these generations, those WHIT
are gathered here to-day will answer
The condition of the organization
l am happy to report, is with few ex
ceptions excellent. The official reports
presented June So 1890, gave tn,
number of comrades in good and regu
lar standing us 427, 9S1. The tota
membership borne on the rolls is 25S,
$50.
In speaking of pensions General AL
ger said that mo matter what u man.
financial condition might be, if he il
physically disabled from performing
manual labor, he is entitled to pen.
sion. He then said: 'Let us be just
to our lawmakers even though they
have not given us all we asked. Nc
country on earth is, or ever has beer
nearly so generous to its soldiers as
ours
General Alger then referred briefly
to the subject of the care of the Grant
cottage at Mount McGregor and to the
progress OF the movements for monu-
ments to Generals Logan Hancock and
Sheridan, and said in regard to the
Grant monument: IAN 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 this nation. There should
be erected at the capital of this gov
eminent, dedicated to the memory of
this great man, Il memorial building
such as will be a credit to the whole
people. Not shaft not statue but
monumental structure such as has
not been builded in this or any other
country; one to which every citizen
within tho domains of this great land
can refer with just pride.
IL recommend that a committee of
five be appointed by this encampment
empowered to solicit aid from the GEN
eral government and from individuals. :"
N closing Mr.. Alger paid warm
tribute to the memory of John f. Har-
tranft fifth commander-in chief of the
order.
The address was received with fire.
quent expressions of approval.
The reports of Adjutant General
Hopkins and Quartermaster General
Taylor were then presented.
Inspector General Griffith reported
the order growing numerically stronger
and working earnestly and harmoni-
ously in furthering the grand objects
for which it was organized. He pre-
sented table showing that the num-
Der of posts in the Grand Army June
80, 1890, was 6,92S; number of COM
rades in good standing in the posts in
spected to June 80, 35l, PA; number
of posts inspected, 800; number of
posts not inspected. l, 051; total amount
expended for charity, 1925, $50; amount
remaining in relief fund. $475, $50.
The report of Surgeon General Por-
ter recommends that inspectors be re-
quired to examine post officers as to
their knowledge of department and
general matters pertaining to the
organization and the care of destitute
and needy comrades. Pension laws, -
the report says, ''shouid harmonic
with the natural history of all disabil-
ity contracted while the victim was in
the service of the United States and
in the line of duty and which is not
the result of his own vicious habits -
At the afternoon session the roll was
called, and the representative of each
state had an opportunity TO name their
choice for commander-in-chief Cali
fornia presented Colonel Smedberg, II
retired officer of the regular army.
Connecticut nominated Col. Wheelock
G. Neasey, and Maine seconded the
nomination. Indiana and Ohio gave
their support to General Alvin p.
Hovey. Montana supported Smedberg,
and Minnesota, Idaho and Iowa ex-
pressed their preference for Colonel
Veasey. New York, Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and
Vermont supported Colonel Veasey.
Utah, Virginia and Alaska wanted
Colonel Smedberg, and Illinois was the
last state to respond for Colonel Veasey.
AS the roll call ended Colonel Smed-
berg and General Hovey withdrew their
names. This action was greeted with
great applause and by unanimous
vote Colonel Veasey was declared
elected as commander-in-chief. Colo
mel Veasey accepted the honor in
brief speech.
Next in order was the selection of
candidate for senior vice commander
in chief, and it being considered that
the office out of courtesy belonged to
Massachusetts, the matter was left
with the delegates from that state.
The name of Richard f. Tobin was pre-
ssnted as the unanimous choice.
George p. Cramer Of Baltimore was
unanimously elected junior vice COM
mander. The rem>-nder. OF the Off
GERS will be elected tomorrow.
General Alger temporarily surren-
dered the chair to Hon Warren Miller
who in a few brief remarks moved that
the next encampment be held at De-
troit. The motion prevailed by
unanimous vote.
Adjourned till tomorrow.