Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-09
Business Of G. A. R. Encamp-
ment Commences.
Col. James A. Sexton Of Chicago Is
Elected Commander Chief.
Philadelphia Decided Upon Tor Next Encamp'
ment- Perplexias Cue ilons.

gan today, after three days OF pre-
liminary demonstrations. The business
sessions were. however. interrupted by
parade OF civic and industrial organ
izations in the afternoon.
This parade included the floats Of all
lines OF manufacturers and dealers. 1t
was in celebration OF peace, jubilee
day Over 100 concerns were repre-
scented in the line, while 50 secret, mill
tary, political and other bodies were
represented b. over 10000 men as es-
coGts to the peace floats.
Some of the floats were drawn by a
dozen horses, one by 20 boys. and all
afforded amusement as well as attract
cd attention along the whole line Of
march.
There were about 1900 national dele
gates present when the encampment
proper was called to order at Music
hall at 10 A. NJ. with Charles Went
gel as officer of the day.
The address of welcome was deliver
ed by Gov. Bushnell. There was excel
lent music and the hall was elaborate
ly decorated. In his response Com
mander-in- Chief Goblin referred most
eloquently to the attractions of the
week and the lavish entertainment of
the citizens of Cincinnati.
Gen. Goblin wore the wa lehman S chain
that had been presented him at the
camp fire. last night. by his old COM
rades OF the Attn Pennsylvania Regi-
ment.
The cncampment will have much
work in considering the proposed re-
- "a h 4
ering propositions 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
sides in the same war and resolution
will be offered inviting the Confederate
veterans to meet with the G. A. r.,
next year.
The national encampment of the Wo-
mems Relief Corps opened this morn
ing at the Scottish Rite Cathedral with
an address by Miss Law, while the
ladies of the G. A. II. resumed their
sessions at the Odd Fellows temple.
The efforts to unite these two orders
have not been successful so far.
AT the conclusion of these interesting
preliminaries the great hall was clear
ed of all but the members entitled to
voice in the proceedings and the exc
cutive session opened.
Unusual interest was taken in the
selection of the committee on resolu-
tions on account of the recent issue of
endorsing Alger or Miles and other
matters in connection with the man
agement of the Spanish war. The fol-
lowing are the New England members
! of the committee on resolutions: Con-
necticut. Alfred Beers: Maine, James
L. Merrick; Massachusetts,, George NJ.
Fiske: New Hampshire, John c. Line
han: Vermont, w. Fl. NJ. Stack.
The encampment was in session from
/, 10 A. NJ. until 100 p. M. when recess
was taken till 2.30 p. NJ.
The encampment convened at $50
p. NJ. The first business in order was
| a lengthy report from the committee
on pensions. The report refuted the
| the charge that the pension roll was
a roll of dishonor. 1t said that extern
sive Investigations had been under
l tdheH ny Liz ucPdl tIHcIA anu ludt
| there had not been a single case of
| fraud discovered which could be traced
| to member of the G. A. r.
| When a motion was made to adopt
| the reporr. Corporal Tanner of New
York said that he did not agree with
that part Of the report dealing with
! the administration of the pension
office. He spoke in unrestrained criti-
cism of the present commissioner of
pensions. Hon. H. Clay Evans. who, he
said had called the chiefs Of division
together, and, using language which
| indicated intense feeling. if not anger
| Instructed them to disregard totally
every application based on deafness
or rheumatism. He further intimated
to them il any one declined to accept
his suggestions he would find chiefs
who would obey his orders.
| A delegate from Kansas followed
Tanner In the same strain, denouncins
| in unmeasured terms the unfair and
illiberal spirit in which the rulings OF
the pension office were made. The
matter was disposed Of finally by post
poning it till after the report of the
committee on resolutions is received
1t is understood that a numer of reso
tons have been sent to the committe,
bearing on the conduct of the pension
office.
Mrs. VIM. Scott (coloreD of Lathrop
Mo-. made an earnest plea for the rec
ognition on a broader scale of thu
faithfulness, bravery and efficiency o
.he negro soldier. she urged, tina
some provision be made by which tn,
colored soldiers could maintain an or
ganizatiOn similar to that of the G
A. II.
Commander-in- Chief Goblin, brief,
replied. praising in the highest term.
the regard for the negroes in the army
/ Business was further interrupted b,
the entrance Of committee Of tire,
ladies from the Women's National Re
lief Corps, headed by Mrs. Martin
the National president. Mrs Martin
stared that when the call for hell
arising from the war with Spain wa.
made, she collected large sum O
money which was applied to reliev.
the wants of our soldiers She re-
quested the national encampment Il
I give to the Relief Corps authority t,
change its constitution SO that III
funds could be used for the relief of tn,
soldiers serving in the war with Spain
The resolution was referred to the com
| nl,rHi tor