The San Francisco call., 1897-04-25
SUCCESSORS OF
THE GRAND ARMY
The Sons of Veterans
Destined to Become
Powerful.
Active Recruiting to Begin at
Once Throughout Cali
fOrnia.
Division Commander Pierce VIII
Labor to Advance the
Order.

SALINAS, CAL, April 24.-The veterans
of the Grand Army and the members of
the patriotic auxiliary societies left the
city for their respective homes to-day.
bearing with them the most agreeable
memories OF the encampment of 1897.
Inc Sons OF Veterans, California divi-
sion, held successful encam pment and
elected the following officers for the en-
suing year: Division commander, Charles
l.. Pierce, OAKLAND; senior vice-com-
mander. Glenn Walker, Los Gatos; junior
vlce-commander. Oscar Judell, Oakland.
Division council-Rollin Fitch, Los Gatos;
II. L. Longfellow. Oakland; Guy E.
Abbott, Santa Cruz. National delegates
A. L. Johnson, Oakland; George S.
Walker, Los Gatos. The newly elected
officers were duly installed by Past Divi.
sion Commander q. G. Houck.
Commander Pierce has appointed as
ad1utant of the division Captain HandIey
OF Fair Oaks Camp No. 10, San Francisco.
Ihe newly appointed division quarter
master Is Frank Dunn of the same camp
FROM this time until the department
encampment meets at Nevada City in
1888 extraordinary activity will be dis
played IN recruiting for the Sons of Vei-
erans. a camp will be organized in every
town OF California that can present the
required number of applicants for char
Ter. Com mmander Pierce is recognized as
an organizer OF ability, experience and en-
ergy. He promises his companions that
he Will lend his energies to the upbuild-
ing OF the organization. He has the inhu-
ence of the G. a. r. department of Cali
fornia to re-enforce him.
Veterans OF the war are now coming to
full realization of the fact that the
Grand Army of the Republic is rapidly
diminishing in membership. The per-
centage of deaths is largely increasing.
due to the advancing a e of the old
soldiers. 1t is admitted and officially
recognized that the Sons of Veterans must
perform the duties and bear the re ponsi-
billtles now devolving upon the G. A r.
as an organization. Each year diminishes
the total number of the Grand Army
posts and reduces the membe rship OF
those existing. Post consultations must
necessarily follow for time and aulti-
mately complete surrender TO the sons.
The proceedings of the division encamp-
ment here and the addresses made to the
senior organization in department coun-
eli plainly indicate that the young men of
California whose ancestors assisted in the
preservation oil the Union have the ability
and patriotism TO take up the work where
their fathers lay it down.
The Sons CT Veterans will surely be-
come a powerful organization in Caifor-
MIA. As the State grows in population by
Immigration new material will be pro- |
vlded for enforcement. The grand sons |
as well as the sons will be eligible until a |
great organization. capable of welding a |
powerful influence for the good of the |
country, will be created.
In 1888 the veterans and the Sons of |
Veterans will camp at Nevada City; in |
1899 they may assemble in San Diego;
in 1900 all may Assem- BILE in San Fran |
cisco. The closing year of the century |
may be accepted as a proper time for a |
reunion of all the surviving veterans on |
the Pacific Coast. By that time the Sons
OF Veterans will be able to present a su-
perb marching column, and bring to pub
lie notice companies properly drilled and
appropriately uniformed for escort duty
ana ceremonial pa eeants.