Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-18

being paid out, and said thai but for the valOr
of the men of the Grand Army of the Republic
there would now be no treasury from which to
pay these pensions. The Grand Army, he said,
demanded that those who fought for the Union
and who we're now unable to care for them
selves should be taken care of, no matter how
the pension list was increased. The general
then gave humorous account Of the manner
in which the deeds of individual soldiers had
been exaggerated by the historians of the war,
but he advised those who had received more
credit than was due them to take it, as it was
likely to do them more good than harm He
closed his address by urging his hearers to use
every effort to relieve suffering comrades, and
by payinga glowing tribute to the ladies who
devoted themselves to the alienation of suffer
ing during the war.
ANNUAL ADDRESS OF COMMANDER oDELL.
Commander Odell followed with the annual
address, which showed year of great success
in this section. Speaking of the enthusiastic
reception which the command received at the
Inauguration. he said: Whenever we have
made parade during the year we have re-
ceived marked and courteous attention. show
ing that our efforts in the past in saving the
republic, as well as our efforts now as an or
ganization of the Grand Army of the Republic
in caring for our comrades and their widows
and orphans, are appreciated by the people of
this great nation We helped to save"
APPOINTMENT OF Ex-soLDIERs TO OFFICE,
Continuing. Mr.. Odell referred to the ap-
pointment Of ex-soldiers to Office and said:
1.-The law gives the preference for appoint
ment to the honorably discharged ex-Union
soldier Of the war of the rebellion. This law
should be enforced when the comrade is found
competent and worthy. During the year we
have found that the appointing powers--the
chiefs of divisions, heads of departments, the
chief executive of the nation-have given the
preference to this class, i.e., the honorably
discharged ex-Union soldiers and their widows
and orphans. In making appointments the
law has been generally observed. / have no
complaints to make. but on the other hand will
give praise and credit and say that the prom
ises and pledges made by the party now in
power have been measurably carried out In
justification Of this position l respectfully re-
fer you to the report Of the department en-
ployment committee submitted / desire to
add that the appeals and suggestions of our
officers and committees have met with the
greatest consideration by the powers that be-
preference, In many cases, being given in our
reception; this in marked contrast with former
cation in this department, as well as through
out the land. trust these relations and condi-
tons will be maintained"
WARNING AGAINST INTEMPERANCE.
The commander then made an eloquent talk
on the prevalence of intemperance among the
comrades. Discharges from the public service
are frequently reported due solely to this
cause. Comrades must take warning More
than score have been separated from the
service OF the government charged with this
misconduct. The plea set up that this habit
was contracted while in the army and charge
able to the service is not true. served at the
front for three years and know that the disci-
pline OF the army would not permit this
breach. nor were the opportunities of sufficient
frequency to acquire the habit The excuse is
not good"
The report of the assistant adjutant general
shows present membership of 2977 a net
gain OF 494 during tine year. Lincoln post leads
the van IN the increase.
THE BANQUET AT wIILARDs
After the exercises at the hall the entire party
adjourned to Wizards, where everything was
prepared for their reception and an elaborate
banquet was served. Flowers in fragrant
masses set OFF the dazzling linen and sparkling
ware IN the large dining room. Speeches were
made by Department Commander Odell, Gen.
Alger, Senator Hawley, Secretary Proctor.
Representative Boutelle, Representative E. p
Allen, Gen. Thomas j. Henderson Indian Com
missioner Morgan, Representative Cutcheon
zen 5. 5. Burdette, Representative Hender-
son.
The committee on entertainment consisted
OF Gen. Raum. John McElroy, Arthur Hem
bricks, NJ. L. Anderson and A. F. Dinsmorc.
WHO WERE PRESENT
At the banquet table the following were
seated Gen. Russell A. Alger, commander-in
chief; Major George II. Hopkins of Detroit,
adjutant general Of the national encampment:
Junior Vice Commander in Chief Loyett of New
Jersey, John p. Church. member of the ma
tionai council of administration for the depart
ment OF the Potomac; Gen. Z. w. Whitaker
Dan A. Grosvenor. Arthur Hendricks, III. G.
Teeter, John L. Vinal, W. w. Eldridge. John
McElroy, l.. ID. Cutler. Joseph W. Deneaue and
George E. Lemon, aids to the commander -in-
chief; Capt. James Edgar. assistant inspector
general; Edgar Allen of Richmond. Va; Past
Junior Vice Commander Goodrich of Florida.
Department Commander Wheeler Of Maryland
Past Commander-in-C Chief g. s. Burdette of this
city, Past Department Commanders Harrison
Dingman. Il. L. Hawkes., Chas. p. Lincoln
deputy commissioner of pensions; Vim. Gibson,
y. NJ. Brooks, j. W. Burke and Geo. H. Car
son. Aud the following officers and post
commanders OF the department Of the Po-
tomac: W. 5. Odell. department commander;
Z. ii. Ingram, assistant adjutant general; ]. n.
flpes, senior vice commander; s. L. Faunce,
junior vice commander; ii. A. Robbins, medi-
cal director; Charles Matthews. assistant quar-
| termaster general; j. W. Butcher, inspector;
James Z. McCabe. mastering officer; Post Com,
manders-A. 3. Taber Rawlins post No 1; Geo.
Mackey, Nit Carson post, No. z; NJ T. Ander-
son, Lincoln post, No. 5; @. T. Graham Nor
ton post, No 4; W. NJ. Potter Meade post, No.
D; n u. Adams, Reynolds post No. &: E. ].
Fenton, Garfield post. No. I'D. +. McGowan.
! burnside post. No. s: A. i. Dinsmore. Farraput
post, No. 10; r. ]. Beall, Stone post. No. n. I'd
l.. johnson, Post No. II; A. b. Frisbie. Post No.
Is; senators hawiey Pierce and Henderson;
Representatives Belknap, Bliss, Cutcheon'
Houk, Hill, Kerr, Lansing. Laws, Allen. Morev
| Morse, Osborne, Post, Spooner Townsand
Vandever and Perkins, Assistant Secretary
Batcheller, Commissioner Of Customs HOLIDAY
Indian Commissioners Morgan, Pension COM
missioner Raum, First Assistant Postmaster
General Garrison, Capt A. A Thomas, w. R
| Austen, publisher OF the Grand Army Direc-