Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-03-01
KANSAS ENCAMPMENT.
The Grand Army Veterans Meet at New
Interesting Reports-New Officers
TustalIod

Installed.
NEWTON, Kan, Feb. 22.-At the en-
campment of the G. A. z. department
of Kansas yesterday the reports of the
various officers were of much interest
to the order.
The report of A. B. Campbell assist
ant adjutant-general shows total
membership in good standing Decem-
Der 81, 1898, of l6.621, being a net loss
of $50 for the year. The causes assigned
for this are: First the exodus to the
Indian territory; second, the exceeding
ly distressing hard times; third. the
unfriendly attitude of the present
administrations. both state and ma
tional, toward the ex-union soldiers
and the Grand Army of the Republic;
fourth the natural decay of the order.
Three posts have been .resuscitated
during the year. three others have been
delinquent one year and five new posts
have been organized and chartered
during the year.
The acknowledgement says: 1.-THE
time has come in the history of the
Grand Army of the Republic when the
old soldiers must touch elbows all
along the line and present solid front,
in line of battle, to their enemies, if
they would preserve their organization
from destruction at the hands of those
who would rejoice with exceeding
great joy at its total diSmemberment-
The department quartermaster. d.
w. Eastman, reports the amount OF
cash on hand December 81, 1892. at
S1,9S7.15. During the year he received
S5, 625 20, and disbursed S5,644.90, leav-
ing balance on hand December 81, 1898,
of 81. 96T. 45-about $50 less than a year
ago-yhieh it is claimed, is surpris-
ingly good showing.
There was in hands of post quarter
masters December 81 1892, IS, gil 66; re-
ceived during the year, s31, $40. 90: ex-
pended by posts during the year, S32,-
SOB II, leaving a balance in hands of
post quartermasters of 81, 159. 80. The
post expended in cash relief during the
year, S1.SS2. O6. The value of post prop
erty December 81, 1898, was as follows:
Cash on hand, 81, 0S; relief fund, 81
603 II; real estate, 'S3S, 733. 80; furniture,
flags, etc, S34, ,270.31. Total, $50. 5T9 AZ.
The reports of the department officers
show that the Women's Relief corps
has experienced a very successful year.
On Decem ber 81, 1892. the membership
was 6,503; on December 81, 1898. it was
7,155. During the year there were ten
corps added, making 257 at present
year ago there was cash on hand
amounting to SS51.4 As; received during
the year, So, S53.47; disbursements. S3,-
400; amount on hand December 81,
1898, 81, 244 95. During the year the
corps of the department paid out cash
for the relief of 359 members and S41
soldiers and their families, S. 916 90.
There was also S165 paid out for the de-
4
nished by the corps in other than cash
amounted to s2,0S45 81 while the corps
turned into the relief funds of posts
during the year 81, ,443. So.
The reports of Commander w. Y.
Morgan and his staff show that there
are 14O camps now in good standing
with total membership of 4,oOO being
a net gain in members during the year
of 60. This is n very satisfactory show
ing for the year, as any hard times or
unfavorable conditions always affect
this before any other organization con-
nected with this patriotic work. The
finances are in satisfactory condition.
The address of Col Morgan recon-
mends that the division Of Kansas
make a radical departure in the direc-
ton of organizing a complete insur-
ance department.; also recommenda-
tion that the present system of camp
| inspection be superseded by syste m
of district inspection, the inspectors to
belong to the staff of the division COM
mander and be under his direct super
vision; the military feature will be
urged upon all camps, with a view of
! having the entire membership properly
armed and well drilled-about 200 are
now under strict military discipline
| and we'll armed. The three degree
ritual will bS strongly advocated in
this encampment, and it is be ieve /;
will be indorsei. There are about 2U0
delegates in attendance. the largest at
any former encanpment being ITO.
NEW OFFICERS.
NEWTON, Kan, Feb. 24.-The state
encampment Of the G. A. R. closed yes
terday after very successful session
of three days. BY unanimous consent
| Hutchinson was chosen as the place
for holding the next state reunion and
Lawrence for the n xt encampment
The new officials of the grand army,
consisting of the following: De-
partment commander, w. P. Camp
bell, of Wichita; senior vice COM
mander, L. S. Slower, lola; junior vice
commander, Tom Shuler, Mankato;
chaplain, Rev. James Murray, Bald
win; surgeon. James Mckee, Newton;
inspector general, J. w. Edwarde; chief
mastering officer. Phineas Reid, of Par
sons, and judge advocate, E w. Cum
ningham, were installed yesterday
afternoon with much ceremony. Strong
resolutions We're adopted, the one OF
especial note being:
Resolved, Taat the time has come when the
integrity of the soldiers of the Grand Army of
the Republic is trial by of the
1 chargas made b those high in au b rit haI
| the pension roll of the Union is permeaeed with
fraud and while we denounce the charge as
, iibelous and SANDER upon the soldiers. whose
loyalty and courage saved the lvernment
of the people, and knowing The high
| character of our comrades. we urge .vere
! member of our order to r port, without fear or
. favor. anv and all violations within their
I knowledge of the pension laws of the govern
m nj to their post commander and we request
| all cirizens who may possess an knowledge OF
| fraud as charged to report the same to the post
| nearest to their homes
E. II. Madison, Dodge City, was chosen
colonel of Kansas for the Sons OF Vet
erans-
Reform Press Association.
ST. Louis, Feb. 26.-The populist or
ganization known as the Reform Press