The herald., 1898-09-09

Dropped In 1893 by deaths, 333, ,694; remar-
riage, 1863; by expiration, minority, 2,121;
by failure to claim, 4,031; by other causes,
4,4Ss; total 46.651.
On rolls June 30. 1898, 993, ,714
| Net increase for year, 17,700,
Pensions-Army and navy: Paid in 1898,
s144. .651, ,s7s
Fees paid examining surgeons, 1884,
Agencies-Salaries and expenses, 1856, ,269.
Bureau-Salaries and per diem, 50, 1925
Total, $149. 1885, .741.
! Reports Of Officers
At the conclusion Of these interesting pre-
liminaries the great hall was cleared Of all
but the members entitled to a voice in the
proceedings, and in executive session the
following reports were submitted:
The report Of the Adtutant General. Thos.
]. Stewart. contained the following figures
as to the membership:
The members In good standing June 30,
1898. numbered 319.456. The gain during the
year was by muster in, 10, $40; transfer, A.
275; reinstatement. 12,es7; from delinquent
reports. 1851; total, 32,45s
The losses were, by death, 1888; honor
able discharge. 1.190; transfer. AN: sus-
pension. 25.0oS; dishonorable discharge, 165:
by delinquent reports, 7041; by surrender
Of charter, 1,025; total. 46,306.
SO the members in good standing June 30,
1893. numbered 306.603. The number of
members remaining Suspended at that date
was $685. Reports received from depart
ments showed that 500 members previous
ly reported as suspended had been dropped
from the rolls.
The amount expended In charity during
the year was $l7l.sos
| The revenues from the sale Of supplies
and per capita tax are decreasing yearly,
and 1t Is impertively necessary that the
expenses at national headquarters be de-
creased or the per capita tax increased
Many Of the posts are becoming reduced in
Membership. the infirmities Of age render
comrades in many instances less enthu-
siastic. Comrades are soon suspended and
posts become delinquent. The information
40 far would hardly Justify action by Con-
| grese In the erection Of a hospital for the
care and treatment Of surviving soldiers of
the war OF the rebellion who are suffering
from insanity and confined in aims houses
and being cared for by their families or
friends.
The report Of the Quartermaster General
A. j. Burbank, showed that the receipts
during the year were $17,195 and the ex-
| penditures $14,694. the balance on hand be-
ing $9902.
Alonzo Williams. Inspector General re-
ported that the organization is still strong
and in good condition. although rapidly de-
| creasing in numbers. It was still doing
very efficient work throughout the land.
Cheers for Alger
When these reports had been read there
was considerable cheering at the mention
of President MeKinley's name, but when
the name Of Secretary Alger was men,
toned in connection with the recent war
there was an uproarious demonstration I'M
his favor. After the reports had been re-
ferred 10 their respective committees, many
resolutions were offered specifically indors-
ing the administration Of Gen. Alger in the
war department. The temper Of the en-
campment. as shown today, indicates that
the resolutions will indorse the management
Of the recent war.
A resolution was introduced to have the
school histories use the term. '"The war be-
tween the states,' instead Of 1.-THE war Of
the rebellion
Committee on Pensions
ne Dubluc6S ia OTucI was q lcH6lHy re-
port from the committee on pensions. 1;
cited the fact that extensive Investigations
had been undertaken by the departments
Of different states, and, after close inquiry.
there had not been a single case Of fraud
discovered which could be traced to a men,
ber Of the Grand Army Of the Republic.
The report made a somewhat extended
comparison Of the work accomplished now
and during the last year OF the administra-
ton Of Gen. Grant. I; Is shown that the
efficiency Of the department. in the way
Of prompt disposal Of claims, had been
vastly increased. The committee gave fig
ures showing that the death rate was rap
idly increasing among pensioners. The
number dying each year now exceeds 10000.
1t is estimated that the increase in the
number Of deaths will be such that in 1920
the number Of pensions will be reduced to
a little over 250,00o. and that in 1910 the list
will be obllterated.
Tanners Criticism
When a motion was made to accep: and
adopt the report Corporal Tanner of New
York rose to discuss 1t. He said that, in the
main, he agreed with all the committee had
reported. but with that portion Of the re-
port which dealt with the administration of
the pension officers he did not agree. and
he went on to speak In criticism Of the pres
ent commissioner Of pensions, Hon. H. Clay
Evans. With evident feeling, he said:
IT stand ready to be responsible here and
elsewhere for all statements may make
on this subject, and I declare that Com
missioner Evans called his chiefs of division
together and. using language which indi-
Gated intense feeling, If no, anger, in
structed them to disregard totally every
application based on deafness or rheuma-
tism. He further intimated that II any one
declined to accept his sugge stion. he would
find chiefs who would obey his orders"
Corporal Tanner declared that, In his
opinion, It was clear that the man who
would make such an order had himself
never heard the sound Of cannon nor slept
In the open air. and he was not surprised.
therefore, to md that the commissioner Of
pensions had an army record which con-
sisted Of three months and sixteen days a.
3 clerk in The commissary department.
\ delesste from xansas followed Tanner