The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1893-09-08
DOING BUSIN EsS.
Grand Army Delegates Forego Plea
sure and Get Down to
Work.
Reports of Officers For the Various
Departments Submitted to the
Encampment.
Death Roll For the Past Year Was
Larger Than In Any Previous
One.

Death Roll For the Past Year Was
Larger Than In Any Previous
One.
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 1.-THE officials
and delegates of National Grand Army
encampment wereregretfully compelled
to allow pleasure to give away to busi-
ness and invitations to reunions and
dinners and other social courtesies were
put aside for the more serious matter of
government of the order. Tolnilson
hall had been gorgeously decorated in
honor of the eencampment and presented
beautiful appearance. The regula-
tions by which only members of the
order are permitted to be present as
spectators were rigidly enforced. 1t was
J not until nearly II o'clock, an hour
after the appointed time, that the dele
gates appeared in sufficient numbers to
warrant Commander-in-Chief Weisert
in declaring that the Twenty-seventh
annual emcampment was formally
opened. Owing to the delay of several
of the departments in submitting their
reports. the commander-in-chie had
been unable to complete his annual ad-
dress until within an hour of opening
of the proceeding, and it was therefore
submitted to the enca,hpment in man
scrip instead of in the usual pamphlet
form.
Il Lively Document.
The report of the committee on legis-
lation, John Raines, Amos j. Cum
mings, William E. w. Ross, Charles Fl.
Lincoln and Joseph W. Kay. formed a
decidedly lively document and was re-
peatedly al plauded. 1t laid stress on
the fact that the laws that provided
that those discharged from military
service by reason of wounds or sickness
incurred in the line of duty should have
preference in appointment to public
| offices and recommending those honor
ably discharged by reason of expiration
Of their terms of service at the close of
the war to the business men and firms
of the country for lucrative employ
ment.
From the Adjutant's Office.
| The report which was submitted by
Adjutant General Gray is probably the
most interesting from the Grand Army
| point of view. He shows that the pres
enI encampment is composed of 1,1S7
members. The returns for June 30,
1898, give membership in good stand
ing of 397,223. The number of posts is
| 1896; departments, 45. In addition to
the membership in good standing there
are returned delinquent 4,670, and re-
naming suspended, 4l,66l. The delin-
qhents are such as are in good standing,
have paid dues, and but for the neglect
of post officers would be so returned.
ship i'll the past year of 2,165. During
the year there were 7,0O2 deaths in the
order.
Larger Than Any Previous Year.
From June 80, 1892, to June so, 1893
under the column "expended in char
ity," there was reported $17S, ,S45. 52
Since these records have been kept
there has been reported under this head
So, 500, 600. The report of the quarter
master, General John Taylor, shows
receipts of $2l, $40 and expenses SO, ,652,
balance in the treasury $12,lS7 There
remains in the Grant monument fund
$8.75s. The report of Surgeon General
William c. Vile, NJ. D., shows the ranks
of the Grand Army to be composed, as
a rule, of as hardy and sturdy set of
men as can be found anywhere. age and
condition taken into consideration.
Consumption, however. and grave lung
troubles seems to have good footing
in the ranks, which is due, proba bly,, to
the exposure of camp duty. He rec
commends that home or hospital for
the treatment of these cases be erected
by the government in the long-life pine
region OF the South.
Chicago Wants the Next One.
Chicago has entered the lists for the
gates are somewhat handicapped, how
ever, by their late appearance in the
arena. The Kansas and Missouri dele
gates who want some place near their
own states are in favor of Chicago. The
starting of its boom, however, has side.
tracked the efforts of the friends of
General James Ashton to push him
forward for the commandery. For this
high Office the prospects Of Captain
Adams of Massachusetts, improve
hourly. He has the solid vote, almost,
of the Eastern delegates. the Adams
element is favorable to the encamp.
ment going to the West.
Woman's Relief Corps
Roberts Park church was filled tc
overtiowing upon the opening of the
Eleventh annual conference of Wonan's
Relief corps. The national president
Mrs. Margaret Ray Wickens, presided
and submitted a lengthy report. i
praised the various departments for the
interest they had taken in promoting
the exhibit of the order in Woman'.
building at the Columbian exposition
and bemoane1 the fact that notwith
standing strict economy, the tinancia
basis Of the organization was not th,