The Delta independent., 1893-09-13
GRAND ARMY OF THE RePusLlc.
Great Throng Of War Set"rieHs ea'her
at indianapolis to Attend the
Encampmeut.

The encampmert of the Grand Army of the
| Republic began at Indianapolis on the 4th.
| The city had made great preparations for the
event and every effort was made To renderthe
visit of the old soldiers pleasant ore. Great
| crowds OF them were in attendance from all
parts of the country. Receptions and re-
unions were the order OF the day, ann electric
| illuminatons II we're given for their entertain
ment. The business Of the encampment be-
gan on the 9th, in Tomlinson Hall which was
magniijcently decorated with flowers and pa
triotic designs Governor Matthews, in be-
half of the state, welcomed the veterans and
Mayer Sulivan performed like service in be-
half Of the city, while Colonel Ell Lilly chair
man of the Executive Committee, added Il few
words. Commaueer-n-Chief Weissert made
the response in behalf Of the Grand Array of
the Republic and the cncsmpmcnt then went
into executive session To hear reports of the
officers.
One of the most important reports made
was that OF the special committee On legi,la-
ton. The purpose OF the appointment of the
committee was TO do something TO secure the
enforcement OF the general laws, almost to-
tally disregarded for many years, the first
providing those discharged from service by
reason of wounds or sickness Incurred in the
line Of duty shoald have II preference In ap-
pontment TO public Office aud the other one
recommending those hoGorably discharged by
reason of expiration OF their terms of service
In navy or army, or the close OF the war, TO
the business men and firm, of the country for
lucrative employment. An elect will be made
to have stronger Laws passed.
After the reading of the various reports
was completed at 80 O'Clock, and half
hours routine work disposed Of Past Com
mander In Chief Merrill arose and nominated
Captain J. q. Is. Adams Of Massachusetts
communicative chief To succeed Commander
Weisscrt Of Wisconsin. Immediately there
was phndcnIonIuui, and cries of Adams,
Adams" re.Ounded through the great hall.
General Hurst Of Ohio withdrew, and Adam.
was chosen by acclnmaflon.
Ivan =. Walker Of indianapolis wa elected
senior vice commander. aud J.. c. Bigger OF
Texas was elected junior vice commander
without opposition
The convention, IN the midst Of the great
excitement. adjourned until 10 80 o'clock to-
morrow morning.
Adams, the commander, was born In
lsIl and In 1861 enlisted la Major Ben Pcflcy
Poorc's Rifle battalion. which was the nucleus
Of the Slneteenth MasSAchusctts regiment
lie was promoted to captain foe his yalor
lie participated Ia every battle of the army OF
the Potomac, In which his regiment wa. Gu
gagged. At Frcircksburg he saved the cOlors
from capture after eight color. bearers bad
been killed. He was captured f. 1854 and
held prisoner for nine months. lie hp. held
several offices of trust since the close of the
war and il now scrgrant-st-arm- Of the com
monwcalh. lie hns always been active In the
work OF the q. A. X. and has been delegate
To the last twelve national cncampmcn's
The report OF fCommander-in Chief Wci..crt
stated that 1000 members OF the order had
died during the past year, aud a- many more
veterans outside the order had passed away.
The total membership Of the Grand Army OF
the Republic Of the United states Is 4t3,55t,
Of which 39i .223 are In good standing; sue
pended, VI, l,G5l; by delinquent reports, $50,
Thursday morning the Rev. A. Is. Hen
drick of West Liberty, Ohio, was unanimous.
ly elected chaplaln-in.chiet
j. &. Fleming was chosen A. a member Of
the national council Of administration from
Colorado.
The committee on pensions rendered a re-
port In which the present manner OF admin
istering the pension bureau was denounced.
II was resolved, That as the commissioner
Of pensions By hi- recent withdrawal Of the
obnoxious rulings which have been so gcucr-
ally condemned has virtually acknowledged
the incorrectness OF such rulings, we deem Il
his further duty TO at once restore to the rolls
the thousands OF pensioners now standing H.
legally suspended"
The encampmcnt Instructed the com
mander.in- chief to carry the question OF the
legality of suspension OF pensions up to the
Supreme Court Of the United States.
The resolution asking that veterans be
given preference In public service wa. adopt
ed as was also the memorial asking the
Grand Army to hold services on Washing
toms birthday.
The new officers were then Installed and
each made Il short address.
Commander Chief Adams selected DR..
George X. Graham of Maryland. surgeon
general; j. Y, Leach OF Massachusetts, Ad.
jutant general. Louis Wagner of Philadcl-
phia was continued rs qunrtcrmastcr gen.
eral.
The convention then adjourned sine die.
The following officers were elected and 10
stalled by the Woman's Relief Corps:
President, Mrs A. J. Wcthcrs Of Mime
sofa; senior vice president, Mrs. Taylor Of
Iowa; junior vice president, Mrs. N. p. An
derson OF California; treasurer, Mrs. Gordon
OF Kansas; counselor, Mrs. J. v. Sheriff Of
Pcnnsylvan