The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-08-28

didateS and several Interruptions to the
proceedings of the encampment by
speeches and the admission of COM
mission from the Woman's Relief
Corps.
On the first ballot. B. F. Allen. of
Connecticut. the candidate of the naval
veterans, led. with G.. w. Carpenter,
of South Dakota, second; c. L. Knapp,
of Kansas third. D. E. Ross, of Della
ware fourth and j. b. Cummings, of
Oklahoma fifth.
There was evidently no desire to con-
test the election beyond the first bal
lot. as on the second ballot the dele
gates began going over to Mr.. Allen
rapidly. and before the roll call had
been completed, the adjutant general
was instructed to cast the vote of the
encampnlent for him.
DR.. David Mackay, of Dallas, Tex,
was elected surgeon general unani-
mously and Rev. Frank G. Bruner, of
the First Methodist church of Chicago,
was in like manner elected chaplain
in chief.
Post commander in chief Walker, of
Indiana, was presented with a silver
service by the encampment, the adj
dress being made by William Mollin,
of Boston
A committee from the Woman's Re-
lief Corps was admitted to the hall and
presented the convention with several
| beautiful floral emblems and made a
brief report Of the work of the Wom-
! ans Relief Corps for the past year.
Mrs. Woodley. national president of
the Army Nurses, was also admitted
TO the convention: likewise Mother
Ransom. OF California, 81 years of age,
the Oldest army nurse living, and Mrs.
William Scott, who spoke for the col
ored veterans who were unable to at
tend the encampment
Among the representatives receiving
favorable consideration from the execu-
tive session of the encampment was
that of the pension committee. 1t rec
commended a reimbursement of widows
pensions and presented form of proof
! and application in pension claims sub
| Stantfally the same as that embodied
in the Pickler bill which has passed
| the house of representatives but has
not passed the senate. The report
stated that the present commissioner
OF pensions had consented to adopt new
rules, substantially the same as those
in force during the Harrison admins
tration. the report also recommended
that congress pass a service pension
law. TO aDDlv to all veterans who have
reached the age of g. years.
The report of the committee having
in charge the memorializing of con-
gress to purchase several of the most
| important battlef1elds about Freders
icksburg, Va, and connect them by
government roads, was adopted
| Another committee reported favor
ably the proDosition to establish ma
! tional parks at the battlefieldsFof Vicl6s-
! burg: Stony River and AppcmattoX.
The report of the committee on text
/ books used in the public schools was
adopted
The report deals severely with some
| Of the histories used in the south
| charging that they miS-state the facts
as to the cause of the rebellion. and
present them from southern stand
point Of view. A regret is expressed
that, after an examination of all the
| histories used in the states that were
| loyal TO the government, in the opinion
of the committee none merit the I'M
+ qualified endorsement of the organiZa-
| ton.
The report closed with the following
recommendations
''First.-That this encampment urge
| the continued agitation of the question
! of improved text books in our schools
that relate TO the history of the United
! States, especially as to the events of
the war Of the rebellion.
'Second.-That the national encamp-
ment authorize the appointment of a
| permanent committee on the subject of
teaching patriotism In our schools.
which shall make a report each year.
Third. it be urged upon each
| department of the G. A. R. and recon-
mended TO the Woman's Relief Corps,
| the Sons of Veterans and adj similar or
ganizations. that they give persistent
attention to the selection of proper text
| books for use in our public schools,
under the exclusion therefrom of such
as are Improper"