The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-09-07

bee9lou VI tue We IA LIZ 9ASaL4 PAA4SAAS
proper beganthis morning at 9:SOas well
as the first session OF the Woman's Relief
Corps convention and Daughters OF the
Regiment. One ofthe mostimportantre-
ports made to thenational encampment
to-day was that OF the special commit
tee ON legislation by Chairman Kay.
The purpose Of the appointment OF the
committee was to do something to se-
cure the enforcement of the two federal
laws almost totally disregarded for many
years, the first providing that those dis.
charged from military or naval service
by reasons Of wounds orsickness incur
red in the line OF duty should have a
preference il. appointment to public of
fee, and the other one recommending
those honorably discharged by reason
of expiratio Of their terms Of service
or the close OF the war to the business
men and firms of the country for lucra-
tive employment ,
On this subject the report says: "At
the time OF making our report to the
national encampment at Washington,
D. O., We succeeded in getting before
Congress measure which, If enacted
into a law, would have effected sure
cure This was reported to the senate
with an amendment that destroyed its
value for the purpose we had in view.
Against this we entered an earnest pro-
test.
It was reported to the house, how.
ever, with an amendment making 1t
stronger in the way ofprotection to the
veteran than the bill prepared by your
committee, and this We accepted. The
report details the failure OF all these
efforts and adds: Letters and tele-
grams to the gentleman who introduced
the senate bill and to the chairman of
the committee Of that 'body who had re.
ported IL back, with an amendment
showing how NOT tn do IT. received no
attention. Perhaps they we're un-
worthy Of a reply. The report after
discussing in detail the efforts to effect
this legislation concludes:
1.-The Grand Army Of the Republic
united as one in q common cause-as-
sisted by the Sonsof Veterans and all
patriotic people, must!attack the citadel
where the later day enenies Of them
are intrenched, charging 1t again and
again, and never cease advancing,
charging and firing until they have
won the victory. Your committee is
pleased to announce that with view TO
securing early consideration house reso-
| luton No. 5,09s as amended in commits
tee. but which failed in the Fifty-sec-
ond Congress, has already been roin-
troducedin both branches Of the Fifty.
third Congress now In special session.
Junior Vice Commander Peter B.
Ayres read a brief report giving an ac-
count OF his visit to the encampments
OF the departments Of the Potomac,
Maryland. Delaware; Pennsylyani9,
New Jersey and New York, all OF which
he found wide awake and fourishing.
Commander-in-O Ohist Weissart deliv-
cred his annual address as stollows:
GENERAL wErssERT's ADDRESS.
In an Introductory way the com.
mander reviewed the progress Of the
order during the past year, and made
appropriate allusion to the deaths dur
ing that time of two illustrious COM
rades-Rutherford B. Hayes and Bania-
min F. Butler. Continuing he said:
While our leaders are fast passing away,
there has been an unusually large death
loss among the rank and file Of those
who carried the gun and knapsack dur
ing the late war, and post charters
throughout the order have been repeat
edly draped with the insignia Of mourn
ing. The loss by death inthe 6. A. r.
during the past year Is Z, 200. This 10
in excess 'ot any previous annual NOR
tuary return. Add to the figures the
estimated loss among veterans not
mem bArs of tho order, amounting by q
conservative estimate 10 800, we have
a total loss by death among the Union
veterans of 1860.
In the returns for December, 1892,
there was an increase Of 5000 over the
membership previous in good standing,
and larger increase was confidently
looked for in June, but the desired re.
suit was not obtained. After most
earnest efforts made atiheadquarters to
increase the membershipi in good stand.
ing loss from June. 1892, over 1000
must be reported. The determination
to weed out all members who are prac-
.tically a dead weight to the order, to-
pether with the pressure in financial
matters throughout the country, is
largely the cause. am pleased, how
ever, 10 be able 10 report the delinquent
| list for the same period reduced by al.
most 1000. The total membership OF
the Grand Army OF the Republic is 49,
554, Of which 397, ,22S are in good stand
ing. suspended ~, ,66l by delinquent
reports, 1870, Thegain by muster dur.
ing the past year Is 24,494. Many Of
the delinquent posts have reported
since the department returns wererse-
ceived at Headquarters, and suspended
members are constantly being reEn-
stated,
The commander said there are tonr
posts Of the g. a. r in Canada, one in
city Of Mexico, one in Honolulu, and
he had received an application Tor one
/ at Lima, in the republic Of Peru. Dur
| ing the year just closed there have been
more calls for relief than In years past
and the same we're llbarally given.
The official reports show that Sl77,-
S45 50 was disbursed by the various
posts on the work.
THE woMRN's WORK.
The women's Relief Corps has dis
tributed for the relief OF comrades, the
families Of destitute comrades, and tho
widows and orphans the sum Of s5s,.
| R1n AZ The anonnta turned over to