Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-09-15
THEIR RANKS THINNING
YET 25. 200 VETS MARCHED AT
INDIANAPOLIS.
Capt. "Jack" q. u. Adams, of Massachu'
setts the New G. A. X. Commander
in-Chief-Interesting Reports.

ment of the Grand Army of the Re-
public at Indianapolis was certainly a
magnificent success in every particular.
The weather was simply superb, the
city was bower of decorations and
the hospitality of the people was all
that anyone could ask. The boys ar
rived slowly, but on the day of the
parade there were at least $4,000 visi-
tors in the city and more than $4,000
veterans in the procession.
Illinois held the position of honor at
the head of the veterans with 1000
men. The famous old war eagle cold
Abe, (which was carried alive through
out the war on Wisconsin's banner, was
at the head of that states heroes. Ohio
had over ?, 500 men on parade. Penn
sylvania and New York were well rep
resented and Massachusetts, with Capt.
Jack" Adams-successfu candidate
for national commander-in-chie
line. Michigan's boys did the Wolver-
inc state proud with nearly 1000 men
in line; feature being the splendidly
drilled and dressed Detroit post with
the 18th u. 5. infantry band. When
Hoosierdom's long line of soldiers came
along there was tremendous cheering
as eX-President Harrison marched
along with the rank and file of his
comrades. All the states and terri
tories were represented in the process
sion. The naval veterans had behind
them great float representing the
Monitor, with banner bearing the
words of Farragut, Damn the tor
pedoes, go ahead The second de-
tachment of parade officers was led by
the famous poet-scout Capt. Jack
Crawford in the dress of scout.
The Business Sessions.
The following day the encampment
proper was called in session to transact
business and hear reports. Adiutant-
General Gray's report shows that the
present encampment is composed of
LIST members (deieGates.) The re-
turns give a membership in good stand
ing of 391,223. The number of posts
is 1926; departments, 4j. There has
been a net loss of membership in the
past year of 2,G57. During the year
there were 7.OO2 deaths in the order,
larger than in any previous year.
Under the column expended in
charity there was reported Sis, S45.5!.
Since these records have been kept
there has been reported under this
head 81, 5OO,OO0
The reports of the Quartermaster-
General John Taylor, shows receipts
of SCI $40, and expenses, SS9, 652, balance
in the treasury, Sl2, 1877. There re-
mains in the Grant monument fund
SIS, 75S.
Inspector-G General George l. Goodale
complained that department officers
and post commanders are derelict in
enforcing the rules of inspection and
consequently in many cases there was
nothing to report to the inspector-gen-
eral. lie submitted rules for the con-
sideration of the eth encampment to
enforce the annual inspection.
The report of Surgeon-General Will
liam c. Vile, NJ. d., shows the ranks
of the Grand Army to be composed, as
a rule, of "as hardly and sturdy set
of men as can be found anywhere, age
and condition taken into considera-
ton" Consumption, however, and
grave lung troubles seem to have a
good footing in the ranks, and he re-
commends that home or hospital for
the treatment of these cases be erected
by the government in the long leaf
pine region of the south.
From the first moment of the en-
campment the tank was about the
next commander-in-chief J.. G. Il.
Adams, of Massachusetts; Samuel H..
Hurst, of Ohio, and Maj. Charles T..
Lincoln, of the department. of the Poto-
mae; +. Burd Grubb, of New Jersey,
ex-minister to Spain, and Postmaster
Sexton, of Chicago, were named for
the office. When the nominations
were in order cries of Adams were
raised in all parts of the hall and in a
short time all the other candidates had
withdrawn and Capt. jack
was se.ected by reclamation.
Jack Adams, an active men,
Der and worker in the &. A. r..
since its inception, entered the army at
90 as a private, and for bravery was
promoted to a captaincy. He was
wounded at Gettysburg and for months
was in prison in Petersburg. Ivan n.
Walker, of Indianapolis, was chosen
senior vice-commander, and j. c. Big
gar, of Texas, junior vice-commander.
Chicago, Cincinnati, Philadelphia,
Pittsburg and Lincoln, Neb., were
candidates for the next convention.
The naval veterans annual sessi on
was interesting. Rear Admiral Osborn
delivered the annual address. Capt.
Cyrus Sears submitted the executive
report. 1t showed an increase of mem
bership and bright outlook. Rear
Admiral Osborn was reelected
Retiring commander-in-chie Weis-
sert in his closing address reviewed the
years work and in conclusion paid
particular attention to recent pension
decisions which he severely con-
demned. He said: "Some of those who
were not the friends of our country
during that mighty contest from 1861
to 1865, have taken every means
within their power to create a
public sentiment against pension
laws and pensioners. Unwar-
ranted statements are made against
the pension roll. No facts are adj
vanced to substantiate the statements
made. The pension law of our coun-
try affects the interests of veterans Oh
various wars, but somehow this indis-
criminate taking away of pensions af
fects only those who served in the wal
against treason and rebellion"
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