The true northerner., 1894-09-21
VETERANS DYING OFF.
Reports Show that Death Is Decreasing
the Ranks of the Grand Army.

Reports Show that Death Is Decreasing
the Ranks of the Grand Army.
After the business session of the en-
campment had been called to order
Wednesday the delegates were well
coined on behalf of the citizens exec
utive board by Chairman Daniel 9.
Rip ey and also by w. 9. Quincy,
Chairman of the Committee on Invita-
tions and Reception. Cove .,nor Patti
son welcomed them on behalf OF the
State of Pennsylvania, wnie Mayor
Mckenna, of Pittsburg, and Mayor
kennedy. of Allegheny, performed the
same pleasant duty on behalf of their
respective cities. Major Burchtield
then presented the Commander-in-
chief with gavel of great historic
interest. 1t is made of wood from Fort
Sumter. AppomattOX, Gettysburg, and
Libby Prison. and Is bound with metal
from the historic cannon. 1t is thus
symbolic Of the opening and the clCs-
ing of the war.
Commander-in-chief Adams in his
address spoke at length on the subject
OF pensions, stating that, while it was
q question of great interest and he
"disliked to consider money matters in
connection with our services to the
government, the disabled condition Of
large number of our comrades forces
it upon u.s. He continues:
ky IL vote OF the last encampment a test
case Was ordered TO be made In the United
States courts and as that one already be-
gun by Judge Long covered all the points,
1t was settled that no other should be in
stitu,ed. In reply TO the message Of the
President, which stated "that thousands
of neigh borhoods had their well-known
pension frauds" the pension department.
OF the order has hunted down all reported
cases. Very few frauds we're discovered,
and when found were not cases where SOL
diers had defrau ed the government, but
where some dishonest agent had worked "a
poor. ignorant widow, and put the money
thus obtained in his pocket
The membership of the order, he
said, is as follows:
One year ago there were in good stand
ing 307, 223 There have been gained dur
ing the year: by muster in, 16 752; by
transfer 1884; by reinstatement, 14,036;
by reinstatement from delinquent rel orts,
2514 Total gain, 80, 66l. Aggregate,
436. SS4
There have been lost: BY death. 1883;
by honorable discharge. 1.756; by transfer.
7.132; by suspension "a. sos; by dishonor-
able discharge. 154; by delinquent reports,
1867 Total loss 81, sol. Number re-
naming in good standing June 80. 1894,
These figures show that the G. A. K has
reached the beginning OF the end. and each
succeeding yoar viii show a gradual de-
crease in our membership The long CON
tinued depression in business has caused
many suspens ons. and these we hope to
regain when prosperity returns, but IL will
be impossible for us 10 recruit our ranks
rs fast rs our members are mustered out
by death
During the year tho Grand Army has
not forgotten the great work of charity.
and has expended S203, $50 for relief.
While It has lost in mbership. the inter-
est i'm the order has not abated, but has
grown stronger The little bronze button
WAS never worn with more pride than IL Is
to-day. and the enthusiasm of comrades
i'm Grand Army work Is everywhere ap-
paren'.
The organization has Sic, coo invested
in United States bonds, per cents,
due in 1907.
The next national encampment will
be held at Louisville.