The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-12
For the Next G. A. r.. National
Reunion.
NUMBERS DECREASING
The Grand Army Reaches Be-
ginning Of the End.
1t VIII Now Steadily Grow Less
Says Commander Adams.

the national encamPment Of the q. A k
today got down to business. While 2OO,-
600 persons have left the city since the
last old soldier passed in review yester-
day, there are still 100000 stran gers in
town. the majority of whom will stay
until Saturday while some will stay even
longer. The national encampment open
ed in the new Grand opera house
The election for commander in chief
will not be held until tomorrow. Since
the withdrawal of Charles D. Long, Of
Michigan, the opinion Is rapidly grow
ing that Col. I. n. Walker, Of Indiana,
will secure the coveted honor. The Sc
lection of the next encampment city has
also been deferred until tomorrow.
While the surface indications are that
Louisville will have vvalk-Over, it IS
limited that st Paul has been doing good
work in quiet but very effective way
The different auxiliaries OF the g. A
r. having recovered from the excitement
OF yesterdays parade, are also holding
their conventions. The Woman's Relief
Corps, the ladies of the q. A r. and the
Daug hterc OF Veterans viii discuss serl-
GUS matters. The chiefest will be their
official relation to the c. A. R. Ia addi-
ton they will elect national officers.
Great preparations are being made for
the reception to the @. A r. delegates
to be given this evening in the new
Westing house building at Pittsburg-
Five thousand Invitations have been
used.
The staff Of Captain Jack Adams, the
retiring commander-in-c chief, presented
him last night with a badge studded
with diamonds, combining the past com
mander's insignia, the Corps badge and
the Grand Army star
Mrs. Adams was also honored by being
elected an honorary member of the staff,
the second woman to receive such a com
pliment, the wife Of General Alger being
the first Mrs Adams was also remem-
bered with a beautiful diamond sow
enir.
Commander in chief John j. Adams of
the Grand Army of the Republic said in
his address today:
ssThe mem bership of the order is as
follows: One year ago there were in good
standing 39I,223 There have been gain
ed during the year by muster-in 16,752;
by transfer, 1854; by reinst atement, IA
O36; by Reinstatement from delinquent
reports, 2,519. Total gain, 39,651; aggre-
gate, 1865
There have been lost: BY death, 1888;
by honorable discharge, 1855; by trans
fer, 1882; by suspension. 4,6OS; by dis
honorable discharge, 154; by delinquent
reports. 1861 Total loss, 81 S01. n um-
Der renisining in goad standing June 3d.
1894, 369,OS4.' To which he added: These
figures show that the q. A r. has reach
ed the beginning of the end and each
succeeding year will show a gradual de-
crease IN our mem DeF5nlD.
During the year the Grand Army has
not forgotten the great work of charity
and has expended 1928, 7S0. 10 for relief"
Referring to the Sons Of Veterans, he
commends the action of the young men
in that organization, and says that sit
will carry on our work when we lay it
down. l do not believe they should be-
come mem bers of our order in any way
and am of the opinion they do not ask or
expect il believe the G. A. r. should
cease to exist ard live only in history
when the last comrade is mustered out,
but our principles must live forever"
The speaker replied to the message of
the president which stated shat thous-
ands of neigh borhOOds had their we'll
known pension frauds" The pension
department and the order had hunted
down all reported cases. Very few frauds
were discovered and when found. were
not cases where soldiers had defrauded
the government, but where some dis
honest agent had worked poor ignorant
widow, and put the money thus obtained
into his pockets.
He complained Of the policy of the
pension office, which he declared had IN
violation Of intended liberality OF the
act of June ~. 1890, rejected
every claim about which there was the
slightest doubt, and many disabled vete-
rams though their claims had been
proved by reliable witness, had been de-
prived Of the whole or part Of what they
are Justly entitled to receive.
ssBy act OF congress-" he said, "the
pension is now made vested right. l
have been doing my best to ind out what
that does for the pensiOner As he Is
examined, re-examined, reduced and
dropped the same as before. I am unable
TO say what advantage the act is."
The address was accompanied by de-
tailed reports from all the national Off
GERS Of the organization
The report of James f. Mech, adju
tant general, shows decrease Of ago