Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-09-19
RANKS THINNING.
Marked Decrease in the Number OF
Names on the Grand Army
Roster.

to the national encampment of the O.. A.
r. got down to a solid business basis to-
day. While 100000 persons have left the
city since the last old soldier passed in
review yesterday there are still 100000
strangers in the town, the majority of
whom will stay until Saturday and Sun
day, while some will remain even longer.
The national encampment opened this
morning in the Grand Opera house. The
commander-in-chief and delegates were
welcomed on behalf of the citizens eX-
! ecutive board by Chairman Daniel G..
Ripley and also by w. G. Quincy, chair
man OF the committee on invitations and
reception. Gov. Pattison welcomed them
on behalf of the state of Pennsylvania,
while Mayor McKenna of Pttsburg and
Mayor Kennedy of Allegheny performed
the same pleasant duty on behalf of their
respective cities. The serious business
OF the encampment proper then begun.
The election of commander-in-chief will
not be held until tomorrow. Since the
withdrawal of Judge Charles d. Long
OF Michigan the opinion is rapidly growing
that Col. L. n Walker of Indiana will
secure 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, it is limited that st.
Paul has been doing good work in a quiet
but very effective way.
Commander Adams Address
Commander Adams opened his address
by congratulating Pittsburg on its loyalty
now as well as during the days of the
war, citing 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. He then
referred to the fact that four months con-
fnement in a hospital had prevented him
from fully attending to his duty, but hav
ing received the order in such excellent
condition from his predecessor, and being
SO ably assisted by his comrades, the
order had not suffered by reason of his
disability. The membership of the order,
he said, is as follows: One year ago there
were in good standing 1929. There
have been gained during the year by mus
term 1912; by transfer G354; by rein
statement 14,O36; by reinstatement from
GEL Aggregate 1884 There have
been lost: BY death 1888; by honorable
discharge 1916; by transfer 1882; by sus-
pension "a, 800; by dishonOrable discharge
1o4; by delinquent reports 1861. Total
loss Gl,SO1. Number remaining in good
standing June 80, 1894, 3G9,OS4. To
,, which he added:
These figures show that the G.. A. r. has
reached the beginning of the end, and each
crease in our membership. The long con-
tinued depression in business has caused
many suspensions, and these we hope to re-
gain when prosperity returns, but it Will
be impossible for us TO recruit our ranks as
fast as our members are mustered out by
death. During the year the Grand Army
has not forgotten the great work of charity
and has expended $203.7S0.10 for relief.
While it has lost in membership, the in
terest in the order has not abated, but
has grown stronger. The little bronze but
ton was never worn with more pride than
1t is today. and the enthusiasm of com
rades in Grand Army work is everywhere
apparent.
After referring to the celebration of
Memorial day and other holidays which
serve to keep up a spirit of patriotism
among the people, he referred to the
Woman's Relief corps as follows:
Born under my administration when com
mander of the department of Massachu-
sets, have seen them grow from little
band of earnest women. meeting at the
headquarters of that department, to more
than 10000. located wherever a @. A. X.
post could be found or a worthy comrade
or his family required assistance
He in the name of the G.. A. r., re-
turned his thanks to the corps for the as
sistance it had rendered the old soldiers
and the work done for the children of the
nation by introducing its salute to the
flag" into the public schools. Referring
to the Sons Of Veterans. he conmends
the action of the young men in that or
ganiZatiOn and says:
1t will carry on our work when we lay it
Gown. l do, not believe they should ever
become members of our order in any way,
and am of the opinion they do not ask or
expect it. believe the G. A. L. should
cease to exist and live only in history when
the last comrade is mustered out. but our
principles must live forever. The Sons of
Veterans are as loyal and true We're their
fathers. and should the country require
their services they would respond as prompt
ly to call TO arms. AS our ranks grow thin
ner let us urge them to strengthen theirs
so that this nation will ever have reserve
force of loyal men organized and Differed
our order has been, ready as are we to
r1lo1. in n II I'D aIIt1 Mi
ties of the United States whenever the serv-
ices of the volunteer are required.
! Pension Bur Criticised.
} On the subject of pensions he spoke at
length, stating that while it was a cues
| ton of great interest and he ''despised 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." BY Il
| vote of the last encamDment n fest ga SO
was ordered to be made in the United
| States court and as that one already be-
| gun by Judge Long covers all the points
| it was settled that no other should be in
| stituted. Replying to the message of the
President which stated that thousands
| Of neighbOrhOOdS had their Well-knOWn
| pension Frauds" he said the pension de-
| partment 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
|
agent had worked poor ignorant widow
and put the money thus obtained into his
| pocket He complained of the policy of
the pension Office which, he declared, had
| in violation of the intended liberality of
the act of June ~ 1890, rejected every
| claim about which there was the slightest
doubt, and many disabled veterans.
| though their claims had been proved by
| reliable witnesses, have been deprived Of
the whole or part of what they are justly
| entitled to receive. by act of Congress-, =
! he said, 1.-The pension is now made a
| vested right. | have been doing my best
to find out what that does for the pen
| soner AS he is examined, re-examined.
| reduced and dropped the same us before.
| am unable to say what advantage the
| act is
Commander Adams then urged the es-
! adjustment of Il permanent headquar-
| ters for the Grand Army for the preserva-
| ton of its records. He then called atten-
| ton to the fact that the Grand Army is
| always on the side of law and order and
80, l, II