The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-09
Was Elected Commander
in-Chicf Of 6. A. R.
CONTEST A CLOSE ONE.
Philadelphia Has Secured Next
National Enc mpmeni.
CHARGES ABOUT PENSION ROLL,

sylvania celebrated victories at their re-
spective headquarters last night. The
one secured the commander-in-chief,
Colonel James A. Sexton OF Chicago, and
the other the location Of the 33d annual
encampment Of the G.. A. r. In Phila-
delphia next year. While there were ali
sorts OF contests. IL is conceded that the
fight between New York and Pennsyl-
vania was the most bitter ever known
at an encampment. These two states
were competitors, one for the election Of
Colonel Shaw OF Watertown, ~. Y, fol-
commander-in-c -chief. and the other foI
the location OF the next encampment
The votes and discussions Of the day In
the departments OF New York and Penn
sylvania were never on the same side
of anything New York voted to hold
the next encampment in Denver. and it
was only by the diplomacy and shrewd
management of the Chicago contingent
in the interest OF Sexton that Denver
lost. While ii is true that Pennsylvania
gave Sexton a strong vote from the east.
II is also true that the shrewd managers
from Chicago gave Philadelphia muci
more than the solid vote of Illinois in
the contest for location of the next en-
campment.
While Heated contests were going or
inside OF the encampment all demon
strations on the outside in thetity were
in accord with the peace jubilee. The
parade of the civic and industrial organ
izations In the afternoon, with all the
tokens of peace. prosperity and happi-
ness that could be produced, was the
most magnificent pageant ever wit
messed in this city. in the peace parade
IL Is estimated that there were 40.00e
men in line and over half million spec
tators. With the river fronts and the
parks and Camp Sherman ablaze last
night with fireworks, the demonstra.
tions ended.
The pension committees report read
at the afternoon session refuted the
charge that the pension roll was roll
of dishonor. 1t said that expensive in
vestigations had been undertaken by
the department, and that there had not
been a single case of fraud discovered
which could be traced to a member of
the Grand Army of the Republic. The
report stated that the roll was distinctly
~
extended comparison of the work ac-
complished now and during the last ad-
ministration of General Grant. This
showed that the efficiency Of the
department in the way of prompt dis
posal of claims had been vastly in
creased. The report gave figures show
ing that the death rate was rapidly In
creasing among pensioners. The mum.
ber dying each year now exceeded 40,-
900. Ii Is estimated that in 1920 the num-
ber of pensioners would be reduced to a
sittle over 250.000. and in 1910 the list
would be obliterated. The report rec
ommends that just and liberal provi-
sion should be made for adJudicating
the claims now pending in the depart
ment.
When q motion was made TO adopt the
report. Corporal Tanner of New York
said that he did not agree with that part
of the report dealing with the admin
istration OF the pension Office. He spoke
in unrestrained criticism of the present
commissioner of pensions. II. Clay Ev-
ans. with evident feeling. He said: II
stand ready to be responsible here and
elsewhere for all statements may make
on this subject, and declare that Com
missioner Evans called his chiefs of di-
vision together and. using language
which indicated intense feeling. IL not
anger, instructed them TO disregard to-
tally every application based on deaf
ness or rheumatism. He further init
mated to them that IL anyone declined
to accept his suggestions he would find
chiefs who would obey orders" Tanner.