The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-12
ANNUAL REPORTS
important Statistics Relative
to the G. A. R.
Ru Tie .Asneiaied Pres.


PITTsBURG, Pa, Sept. 12.-While 200,-
900 persons have left the city since the last
old soldier passed in review, there are
still 100000 strangers al town, the ma
jority OF whom will stay until Saturday
or Sunday. The National Encampment
opened this morning in the new Grand
Opera House. The commander chief
and delegates were welcomed on behalf OF
the citizens executive board by Chairman
Daniel c. Ripley, and also by w. {.
Quincy, chairman of the committee on in
vitatious and receptions. Governor Pat
tison welcome them on behalf of
the State of Pennsylvania, while
Mayor McKenna of Pittsburg, and
MAYOR Kennedy of Allegheney per-
formed the same duty on behalf of their
respective cities. The election for COM
mander- in chief will not be held until to-
morrow. Since the withdrawal of Judge
Charles ID. Long, of Michigan, the
opinion is rapidly growing that Col
onel II. n. Walker, of Indiana,
will secSre the coveted honor.
The selection of the next encampment city
has also been deferred until tomorrow.
While the surface indications are that
Louisville will have a walkover, il Is
hinted that st. Paul may get there.
The fair auxiliaries of the G.. A. II.
are also holding their convention.
The Women's Relief Corps, the
ladies of the q. A. X. and the Daughters
of Veterans are m session and will elect
officers. The preparations are making for
the reception to the G.. A. X. delegates 10
be given this evening IN the Westing-
house Buildings at East Pittsburg, to
which 5000 invitations have been issued.
Captain Jacks Report.
Commander Adams opened his address
by congratulating Pittsburg on its loyalty
now as well as during the days OF the war,
Giving its liberality in caring for the
soldiers from the West on their way to
| the front, as Philadelphia had done for
those from the Eastern States.
lie then referred to the fact that four
months confinement in hospital pre-
vented him from fully attending TO his
duty, but having received the order in
such excellent condition from his pre-
decessor, and being so ably assisted by
! his comrades, the order had not suffered
| by reason of his disability. Tine member
| ship OF the order, he said, is as follows:
One year ago there were in good stand
ing 3g7. .223; there haze been gained dur
ing the year: BY muster in, 16,752; by
transfer, 635f; by reinstatement, 14,036;
by reinstatement from delinquent reports,
25l9; total gain, 39,65l aggregate, l36,SSi.
There have been lost by death, 72s3; by
honorable discharge, 1855; by transfer,
| 1882; by suspension, 81, sos: by dishonor-
able discharge, Isl; by delinquent reports,
1851; total lost, "a, sol. Number remain
ing in good standing June 80, 1894, 369,
CS3.
"These figures show that the Grand
Army OF the Republic has reached the
beginning OF the end, and each succeeding
wear will show gradual decrease in our
membership. The long continued de-
| pression i'm business has caused many sus-
pensions, and these we hope TO regain
when prosperity returns, but IL Will be
| impossible for us to recruit our ranks as
fast as our comrades are mustered out by
death.
During the year the Grand Army ha'
not forgotten the great work OF charity
and has expended s203, ,7s0.10 for relief
While IL has lost in membership, the in
terest i'm the order has not abated, but
has grown stronger. The little bronz,
hutton was never worn with more prid,
thanit is today, and the enthusiasm OF
comrades in Grand Army work ~ every
where apparent"
After referring 60 the celebration o
Memorial Day and other holidays which
serve TO keep up spirit OF patriotism
among the people he referred TO tn
Women's Relief Corps as follows
"Born under my administration
when commander OF the Depart
ment OF Massachusetts,, hav'
seen them grow from little band OF earn
est women, meeting In the headquarters
Of that department. to more than li0,0W
located wherever Grand Army Post coul
be found, or worthy comrsde or hi
family required assistance"