The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-09-16


CNew Department Commander G.. A. RI
with all the illustrations of peace and
prosperity and happiness that could
be produced, was the most magnificent
pageant ever witnessed in this city.
The old demonstrations under the
order of Cincinnatus at the opening
of expeditions and on other occasions
were eclipsed by the peace jubilee
parade yesterday, in which it is esti-
mated there were 10000 in line and
over 500, 900 spectators along the line.
The river fronts and the parks and
Camp Sherman were ablaze last night
with a most elaborate display of fire.
works.
The national encampment elected
only its commander.in-chie yesterday
and will elect its other officers to-day,
adopt its resolutions and attend to
other business The delegates state
that they will complete their work to-
day, even If it is necessary for night
session. The auxiliaries elect their Of
ficers also to-day and complete their
annual encampment. The G. A. X. en-
campment convened promptly at $50
o'clock. The first business in order
was lengthy report from the com
mittee on pensions. The report dealt
extensively in an effort to refute the
charge that the pension roll was roll
of dishonor. The committee gave
figures showing that the death rate
was rapidly increasing among PEN
sioners. The number dying each
year now exceeds 10000. 1t is esti-
mated that the increase in the number
of deaths will be such that in 1920 the
number of pensioners will be reduced
TO a little over $50, 600 and that in 1910
the list will be obliterated The re-
port recommended that just and lib
eral provisions should be made for ad-
Indicating the claims now pending in
the department, and that no relaxation
OF efforts on the part of the Grand
Army of the Republic be allowed to
interfere with this duty.
The choice of the place for the next
encampment was then taken up. The
pending question was upon substitut-
ing Denver for Philadelphia. Com
mander May, of Denver, spoke for his
locality, saying that $50, 900 had al
ready been pledged for the entertain
ment of the encampment. He prom
ised TO the delegates and their wives
three days trip through the noun
tains about Denver free of cost, and
gave alluring promises for favorable
railroad rates. He was followed by
delegate from Pittsburgh, who made
an equally eloquent plea for Philadel-
phia, balancing the seashore against
the Denver mountains, and naming all
the natural advantages of Philadel-
phia When the time came for voting,
il was suggested that instead of vot-
ing to substitute Denver for Philadel-
phia, votes should be taken directly
by calling the roll and letting the
delegates vote for their choice. This.
was done, and the result was an
nonnced, Philadelphia, 1906; Denver,
2g5.
A motion was made Immediately
afterward TO go into the election Of
commander-in-chief. Although il was
then late in the afternoon the motion
was adopted and Immediately the
name of Albert ID. Shaw, of Water
town, n. Y, was presented by dele
gate of that state. In the closing part
of his remarks he twitted Illinois with
having for the fifth time asked for the
election of commander-in-chie while
her chief city had never yet invited
the encampment to enjoy its hospi-
tally.
Gen. John c. Black, of Illinois, plac-
ing in nomination James A. Sexton,
of Chicago called attention to the
fact that Illinois was the foster mother
of the organization and in that way
had the first commander. Subsequent
ly, that typical American volunteer
soiuIer, Juun n. Loghu, nau oeen
elected commander, but for 20 years
Illinois had seen the scepter of au-
thority placed in the hands OF COM
rades from other states. He then, in
most forcibly eloquent manner pre-.
sented the claims of his candidate.
Commander PuPh, of Ohio, an
nounced Isaac C. Mack, of Ohio, had
directed him to say that he declined
to have his name presented as a candi-
date, because the senior vice COM
mander was to be chosen from the
city where the encampment Is held.
according TO the usual custom