The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-09-15
A NEW COMMANDER.

Capt. Adams. of Massachusetts, Elected
Commander of the G. A. r by Accis-
mation-The Commander-in-Chief's Adj
dress.
IyDrAyAPoLIs, Ind, Sept. The
first session of the national encamp-
ment of the G. A. r began at $50
o'clock, as did also the first session OF
the Woman's Relief Corps convention
and the Daughters of the Regiment
One of the most important reports
made to the national encampment was
that of the special committee on legis-
lation, by Chairman Keay. The pur-
pose of the appointment of the commit
tee was to do something to secure the
enforcement of the two federal laws,
almost totally disregarded for many
years, the first providing that those
discharged from military or naval ser
vices by reason of wounds or privations
incurred in the line of duty should have
a preference in the appointment to
public offices and the other recommend
ing that honorably discharged men
should be preferred by the business
men and firms of the country for lucra-
tive employment
The report and address of Command
er-in-Chief Weissert was delivered yes
terday afternoon. He reviewed the
progress of the order during the past
year and made allusion to the death
during that time of two illustrious
comrades. ex-President Rutherford Il.
Hayes and Gen benjamin Z. Butler.
Continuing he said:
While our leaders are fast passing away
there has been an unusually large death loss
among the rank and file among those who car
ried the gun and knapsack during the late war,
and post charters throughout the order have
been repeatedly draped with the insignia OF
mourning The loss BY death in the ranks OF
the c. A r during the past year Is T,O02 This
is an excess Of any previous mortuary return
Add to the figures the estimated loss OF yeter-
ans not members OF the order, amounting by a
conservative estimate 70 800. we have total
loss bJ death among the union veterans Of IA
800.
In the returns for December. 1892, there was
an increase OF membership of 400 over the
June previous in good standing and large in
crease was constantly looked for in June, but
the desired result was not obtained. After
most earnest efforts made by headquarters to
increase the membership in good standing. 9
loss from June. 1872. Of over 2O0l must be re-
ported The determination 70 weed out all
members no are practically dead weight to
the order, together with the pressure in fusn-
cial matters throughout the country. from Of
hcial reports, is largely the cause lam pleased.
however. to report the delinquent list for the
same period reduced by almost 4,00 The total
mem bership Of the Grand Army OF the Repub-
lie il il3 554 OF which 39T 2.3 are in good stand
ing: suspended, Al. $751; By delinquent reports,
is 14l34
Recently we ind scores Of worthy veterans
some above the age Of three score and ten yes
four score years, many suffering from wounds
received on the field, or disease incurred
while in the service Of the country, or other
disabilities which are covered by law, cut OF
from the pension roll without first making
proper Investigation During the past three
years some Of those who were not the friends
Of our country during the mighty contest from
1851 to 1885 have taken every means within
their power TO create public sentiment against
pension laws and pensioners Unwarranted
statements are made against the pension roll
No facts are advanced 70 substitute the state
ments made. The pension laws Of our country
affect the interests Of veterans Of various wars,
but somehow the indiscriminate taking away
Of pensions affects only those who served In the
war against treason and rebellion
After the reading of the various, re-
ports were completed at 4:3O o'clock,
and half hours routine work dis
posed of, Past Commander-in-Chief Mer-
rill arose and nominated Capt ]. G. b.
Adams, Of Massachusetts, as command
er-in-chief, to succeed Commander
Weissert, of Wisconsin Immediately
there was pandemonium, and cries of
adams" adams" resounded through
the great hall Gen Hurst, of Ohio,
then withdrew and Adams was chosen
by reclamation
Ivan \. Walker, of Indianapolis, was
and ]. c. Bigger, of Texas, was elected
junior vice commander without opposi-
tiou