The Portland daily press., 1898-09-09
Sexton Led for Commander by Only
Three Votes.
CORPORAL TANNER ATTACKS PEN
SION COMMISSIONER.

VIII Report Today-Whether to In
| dorse Miles or Alger a Questionable
How to Treat Commissioner Evans.
Cincinnati Ohio, September S.-Ths
business of the 52d annual encampment
of the Grand Army Of the Republic and
of it's auxiliaries began today after three
days of preliminary demonstrations.
The business sessions were, however, in
terrupted by parade of civic and indus
trial organizations in the afternoon. This
parade included the doats of all lines of
manufacturers and dealers. 1t was in
celebration of peace, jubilee day. Over
one hundred concernsswere represented in
the line, while 80 secret, i military. po-
litical and other bodies were represented
| by over 0,O30 men as escorts to the peace
floats. Some Of the floats were drawn by
a dozen ho rses, one by 20 boys, and all
afforded amusement as we'll as attracted
attention along the whole line of march.
There vera 1870 delegates present when
the encampment was called to order at
Music hall at 10 a. m.,71 with Charles
Wentzel as officer Of the day. The ad-
dress of welcome was delivered by Gov.
Bushnell. There was excellent music
and the hall was elaborately decorated.
In his response Commander-in-Chief
Goblin referred most eloquently to the at
fractions, of the week and tbs lavish en-
tertainment of the citizens of Cincinnati.
| Gen. Goblin wore the watch and chain
that had been presented him at the camp
fire last night by his old comrades OF the
47th Pennsylvania regiment.
The enoampment will have much work
In considering the proposed revision OF
the ritual and also in considering propo-
sitions for amalgamations. 1t is believed
that the proposition to make those who
participated in the Spanish American war
| eligible will not prevail as the latter day
soldiers will want a separate organization.
There is more sentiment in favor of
uniting those who fought on different
will be offered inviting the Confederate
veterans to meet with the q. A. K. next
| year.
The national enoampment of the
Women's Relief corps opened this morning
at the Scottish Kite cathedral With an
| address.
Unusual interest was taken in the selec-
tion of the committee on resolutions on
| account of the recent Issue of endorsing
| Alger or Miles and other matters in con-
| nection with the management OF the
Spanish war. The following are the New
England members of the committee on
resolutions: Connecticut, Alfred Beers;
George M. Fisk; New Hampshire. John
| q. Linehan; Vermont, W. ii. NJ. Slack.
When the name of Secretary Alger was
mentioned In connection with the recent
war there was an uproarOus demonstra-
tion in his favor. After the reports had
been re-atflrmed to their respective COM
mitSeea, many resolutions were oHered,
endorsing the administration of Gen.
Alger in the war department.
The encampment was In session Iron
10 a. M, until l. 30 p. m., when recess
taken till 2. 80 p. m.
The encampment convened at 230
D. IN. The fret business in order was a
lengthy report from the committee on
pensions. The report refuted the charge
that tho pension roll was roll OF dis
honor. Tt said that expensive 1nVesS1ga-
tioIs had been undertaken by the depart
ment and that there had not been single
case Of fraud discovered which could be
traced to a member of the q. A. X.
When motion was made tn adopt the
report, Corporal Tanner of New York said
that he did not agree with that part OF
the report dealing with the adm1nlstra-
ton the pension offices.
He spoke in unrestrained criticism of
the DTeSonU COut IQlSblCu0T VI pCuSlONS,
Hon. H. Clay Evans who, he said, had
called his chiefs of division together and
using language which indicated intense
fesIing. If not anger, instructed them to
disregard totally every application based
on deafness or rheumatism.
He further intimated to them that il
any one declined to accept his suggestion
he would find chiefs who would obey his
orders.
A deleeation from Kansas followed
Tanner in the same strain, denouncine
in unmessured terms the unfair ane
ifliberal spirit in which the rulings o.
the pension office were made. The mat
ter was disposed of finally by postponing
it till after the report of the COMMITTEES
on resolutions is received. 1t is under
stood that number of resolutions have
been sent to the committee bearing OF
the conduct of the pension office.
Mrs. William Scott, (colored). of Lath.
rop, No.. made an earnest plea for the re
cognition on broader scale of the faith
fulness. bravery and efficiency of the me-
gro soldier. She urged that some provis
ion be made by which the colored soldiers
could maintain an organization siIni lal
to that of the G.. A. r.
Commander-in-C Goblin replief
briefly, praising in the highest terms the
record of the negroes in the army.
Business was further Interrupted by
the entrance of a committee of ladies
from the Worfen's National Relief Corps
headed by Ms. Martin, the national pre-
sident. Mrs. Martin stated that wher