The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-09-19
The NEW CHIEF.

The NEW CHIEF.
Ivan n. Walker. Of Indianapolis, Elected
Commander of the q. A. K.-The Won.
ans Relief Corps.
LOUISVILLE, KY, Sept. lathe
twenty-ninth annual encampment of
the G. A. R., the Woman's Relief corps
and the Ladies' Circle Of the G.. A. r.
began their conventions yesterday.
Those meetings were attended only by
delegates. At the same time the
veterans met in corps, brigade
and regimental reunions all over
the city. When the G. A. R. men met
in Music hall every seat was taken.
The delegates entitled to vote in the
meeting occupied the main floor, while
the visiting veterans remained in
the galleries. Gen. Lawler, the COM
mandcr-in-chief, was loudly cheered
as he formally called the meet
ing to order and introduced Henry Wat.
terson, who made fowery address of
welcome. In response Past Command
er-in-Chief William Warner, of Kan.
sas City. Mo-, spoke briefly. He said
the boys in blue would never forget
the generous and great hospitality OF
the good people of Louisville. When
he had done talking, Commander Law.
Ter said he took great pleasure in in
Producing James Whitcomb Riley, the
Hoosier poet Mr. Riley then read an
original poem and several presenta.
tions were made.
AS soon as the preliminary pro.
gramme was over, Commander Lawler
directed all persons not members OF
the G. A. r. to withdraw from
the hall, as it was to be secret
meeting. Commander Lawler then
delivered his annual address. In
opening he referred to Kentucky as
the birthplace Of Lincoln. Then he
complimented the various officers in due
turn. He said that the order had lost
So, 1856 members in the year, and now
had 357, $3.50 active members. with 40, coo
suspended. He called for pension
law by congress which could not be
misconstrued or misapplied, and advo.
Gated a suit to test the present law.
He spoke for a national appropriation
for Memorial day and against making
that day one of recreation. Compli.
ments were paid to the women's or.
ders, the Sons of Veterans and thanks
returned for past kindnesses.
Col. Ivan N. Walker, of indianapolis,
Ind, was elected commander-in-chief;
Gen. E. II. Hobson. of Kentucky, sen.
ior vice commander, and c. E. Cos.
grove, of Washington, junior vice com.
mander. The encampment of 1896 will
be held at St. Paul.
The Woman's Relief corps met
Mt Library hall. Mrs Wallace presid'
ed. The exercises were opened with
salutes, flag drills and tableaux in the
curriculum of patriotic teaching. The
opening session was devoted to
welcome addresses and responses and
the hearing of the annual reports
of the national officers The total
membership at the present time, &C.
cording to the reports is liO,774, or a
gain of 35,697 members over last year.
The total number of corps is 3,l4l. or
q net gain Of 81 during the year. The
amount expended in relief was S64, 969.
The total amount expended during the
year including relief and current ex'
penses was Slss.320, while the total
amount of relief furnished since its or.
ganization was 81, ol0. 800. Regarding the
National Women's Relief Corps home
at Madison, O., the report says: "Since
the opening of the home o. applicants
have been approved, 9 have died before
coming to the home and 72 have ar.
rived and been cared for, SO present
during the past year and 43 inmates
are now in the home"
The Ladies circle of the G. A. R.met al
the board of trade with Mrs. President
Gunlock presiding. Its opening ses-
| sion was also devoted to hearing an
nual reports which showed increased
membership and good conditions gen.
orally. The ladies of the circle, how.
ever, showed no general disposition to
unite with the Women's Relief corps.