The Coconino weekly sun., 1893-09-14
A NEW COMMANDER.

Japt. Adams, of Massachusetts, Elected
 Commander of the G. A. K. by Accia-
 nation The Commander-in-C Ad-
 dress.
 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Sept 7.-The ment of the G. A. R. began at 9:S0 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 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 B. Hayes and Gen. Benjamin +. 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 G. A R. during the past year Is 7,002. This is an excess of any previous mortuary return Add to the figures the estimated loss of veter- ans not members Of tho order, amounting by conservative estimate to 7.50o. we have total loss by death among the union veterans of IA 300.
 In the returns fer December, 1892, there was an increase Of membership of 5000 over the June previous in good standing and a 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 mem nbership in good standing a loss from June, 1892, of over < O0J must be re- ported The determination to weed out all members who are practically dead weight to tho order, together with the pressure In fnan- sisl 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 400 The total membership of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic is 43bS4, of which 3s 223 are in good stand ing; suspended, q, ,66l: by delinquent reports
 4,Z The gain by muster during the past year is l4,l34
 Recently, we find scores of worthy veterans some above the age of three score and ten, yes four score years many suffering from wounds received on the battle held 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 1881 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 to 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. AlJer the redulnS or tne Varlous, re- ports were completed at 4:3o o'clock, and half hours routine work dis posed of, Past Commander-in-Chief Mer- Till arose and nominated Capt. J. 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 exclamation.
 Ivan N. Walker, of Indianapolis, was then elected senior vice commander, and J. c. Bigger, of Texas, was elected junior vice commander without opposi- tion