Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-25
TO xSrEsrA1x THE vErERANs.
The Prssident Rscommends N Appropria
ti0n by Congrsss.

taon by Congrsss.
TIE NHssAoR SENT TO coxoRKss-fnH NATIONAL
INTEREST IN TIE KNcAMPMKNT-LErrERs FHeA
THE COMMISSIONERS AND TIE crrrzENs' CON-
AIrTRH IN CHARGE OF TIE ENCANPNENT.
The Speaker laid before the House today q
message from the President Transmitting a
communication from the District Commission
ers submitting an appeal presented to them by
the citizens executive committee for An ap-
preparation from the joint revenues OF the DIS
trict Of 800, 600 for the entertainment OF the
Grand Army encampment 1T
The Presidents message says: "The event IL
one of national interest. and the attendance OF
surviving Union soldiers will probably be
larger than at any encampment that has ever
been held. The parade Of the survivors OF our
great armies on Pennsylvania avenue viii BRING
wildly back those joyful and momentous days
when the great armies Of the east ana west
marched through the streets Of Washing
ton in high parade, and we're received py
our citizens with joyful acclaim. 1t seems 70
me that it will be highly appropriate for Con-
gress suitably to aid in making this demonstra-
ton impressive and in extending to those SOL
diers whose lives e benefcent Providence mas
prolonged an opportunity to see in the security
and peaceful development and prosperity
which now 30 happily prevail at the national
capital the fruits of their sacrifice and vaior.
THE COMMISSIONERS LETTER.
The letter from the Commissioners to tho
President is dated February 26 and is as fol-
fows
"The Commissioners have the honor to trans
nit herewith the form of a bill preparedby the
citizens executive committee OF washington,
having in charge the reception and entertain
ment of the Grand Army Of the Republic, the
encampment of which is to be held In this city
in September next, with letter signed by the
chairman Of the generaland Legislative COM
mittees.
1.-The bill asks for s10O, 900 to be expended out
OF the joint revenues of the District. but as ex-
planned by the letter accompanying the biii.
S25.OOO of the private fund raised by the clti-
zens to be first expended.
1.-The occasion will probably be one OF the
grandest in the history OF the annual gather
ings Of the eational veterans. and the prepara-
ton for their comfort should be on corre-
spending scale.
1.-THE Commissioners respectfully recommend
the proposed bill to your favorable considera.
ton and subsequent transmission to Congress.
THE LETTER FROM THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE.
The other letters accompanying the message
is dated February IS and signed by Mr.. John
Joy Edison. chairman of the executive commit
the committee on legislation.
1t il addressed to the Commissioners and is az
follows
Gentlemen: In accordance with instructions
from the citizens executive committee OF
Washington, having in charge the reception
and entertainment of the twenty-sixth ma
tional encampment of the Grand Army
of the Republic, which is to BE-
held in this city in September next.
we transmit herewith a bill which has been
4 L. Al
that you send 1t to the President with such
recommendation az you may see fit to make in
the premises, and that the President be asked
to submit the matter to Congress.
The twentythird, wenty-fourth and twenty
fifth national encampments of the Grand Army
of the Republic were held at Milwaukee, Bos-
ton and Detroit, respectively, in the years 1889.
1890 and 1891. The expenses attending the
entertainment OF those who went to those en-
campments were provided for in the following
manner:
At Milwaukee by an appropriation made by
the municipal authorities in the sum of $50. 900;
at Boston by an appropriation made by
the state Of Massachusetts of $50, 600,
by an appropriation of $4,000 made
by the city of Boston and by contributions
by the citizens of Boston of $l3OOO-in all
$SSOU0; and at Detroit by an appropriation
made by the municipal authorities amounting
to $50. eco, and by contributions of SAG, 600 by
the citizens-in all $4,000.
Careful inquiry has been made in those cities
as to the number of persons no attended the
encampments, including not only the old
soldiers themselves, but the members of their
families and others who went with them. II
has been found that the attendance at Milwau.
kee in 1883 was about $50. 600, at Boston in
1890 about 200, 900 and at Detroit in 1891 abou;
$50. 900.
1t is Of course impossible at this date to est.
mate otherwise than approximately the num-
Der Of persons who will come to Washington in
September next TO attend the twenty sixth
national encampment. but from the infor-
nation obtained from the officers of the
Grand Army of the Republic. as we'll as directl,
from many of the posts throughout the
country and from q variety of other
sources the committee is ef:opiniOn that the at
tendance in Washington next September will
be double that Of any previous enc.mpmen
and that it is not at all improbable that it viii
| exceed even that estimate. At this
early date quarters have been secured b,
$4,000 ex-sol'tiers and applications have
been received, but quarters not yet secured, fOi
IL. $50 more. We estimate that there will be al
| average of two other visitors for each soldier
this indicates an attendance already assured Of
| about 5000.
The citizens Of Washington at the time the
invitation was extended to the national en-
campment 10 hold its next session
here subscribed for their reception
and entertainment if the invitation
I
Of 549, 600; $50, COO of this sum has since beer
acknowledged confirmed by paying the first in
| stallinent called for. 1t il expected this sub
scription will be doubled.
By a resolution adopted at the last meeting
| of the citizeus' executive committee it wa,
| provided that $25. 000 of the amount SO sub
scribed by our citizens shall be collected ant
| expended before any part of the sum ap
! prOpriated by Congress shall be used.
The remainder of the fund subscribed by the
| sums as may hereafter be subscribed will BE-
| sary will be expended in addition to the amour
which Congress is asked to furnish from til,
District funds.
| The committee think that the amount of tn,
| appropriation asked for under the circumsta nee
is reasonable. and that without the full amount i
| will be unable to receive the veterans ant
their families and entertain them in a m.nnel
| cr6ditaL lie to the city of Washington and to tn,
nation Of which it is the capital.
TIE BILL PROPOSED.
The bill is as as follows: .... .-...-
That the sum Of 100000, or 90 mucl
thereof as may be necessary, il hereb,
appropriated to pay the proper an,
legitimate expenses attending the re
discharged Union soldiers, sailors and marines
who served in the war of the rebellion, as ma,
attend as delegates or otherwise the twenty
| OF the Republic in the city of Washington, il
the District oUColumbia, and attending tn
preparation for such receptions and entertain
-