The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-09-08
spective followings for the coming eiec.

respective foiiowingS for the coming etec-
ton.
The contest for the location of the next
Encampment seems TO lie between Phiia-
delphia Kansas City and Denver.
The National Soldiers Home at Dayton,
o. is less than 20 miles distant, and the
veterans from that institution are taking
active part. Those who can participate
in the parade will wear khadi suits, the
same as the Rough Riders. They have
over 100 men in their band. the largest
ever sent to any Encampmcnt.
Magnificent arches, which do honor
both TO the Queen City and her guests OF
the Grand Army of the Republic during
the National Encamrment have been
erected. The grand triumphal arch,
which has been erected on Government
Square. is the largest arch of its kind
ever erected in this country and is q
marvellous piece of work. The top of the
arch or esplanade is reached by massive
stairs, over which IS men can walk
abreast. The sides of the stairs have
ratings painted in white and gold relief.
The GomeS are higher than the upper
fioor of the arch. The entire arch, paint
ed in beautiful white and gold, has been
relieved with gold panels on which appear
the names OF some OF the country's great
est Generals.
At least II national organizations, all
composed of old soldiers and sailors, or
their wives and daughters, viii hold ses-
sions in the city this week.
ADDRESS OF CoMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
The address of Commander-in-Chief ].
p. S. Goblin to the National Encampment
of the GA. r., al its cOnvening this week
in Cincinnati, O., is full OF items OF
interest and Importance to the veterans,
even more so than usual. These points
may be presented only briefly at this
time.
Gen. Goblin opens his address by CON
gratulating the Order on the success of
its teachings, as has been evidenced by
the prompt response TO President Nc
Kinley's call for troops when the war with
Spain broke out. The Commander-in-
Chief notes that the GAR. as an Order
placed itself at the disposition of the
President, but Gen. Goblin says he felt
that any direct call upon the comrades
was inadviSable.
Taking up the question which has been
more or less agitated of admitting the
onOrably-discharged soldiers of the
Spanish war as members OF the Grand
Army, the CommandeT-in-Chief considers
that this would be also inadvisable. He
holds that when the Grand Army has
fulfilled its mission it should cease 10
exist.
Gen. Goblin also takes up the matter of
the return of the captured rebel flags,
which was agitated quite vigorously. He
deprecateS this agitation. The captured
flags belong to all the States, he thinks,
and no one State has any claim.
As for the pension question, Gen. Goblin
says it has agitated the Order during his
administration as never before. He says
that concerted attacks were made which
did not seem TO originate i'm the CAMPS of
the soldiers enemies. The presumable |
object was to prevent the increase of
appropriations for pensions.
Gen. Goblin says that he appointed a |
committee to consider this matter. They |
propounded series OF questions to the |
Commissioner of Pensions. The Com |
ing an immense amount Of work done and !
a net increase of the roll for the year of
700.
Memorial Day, Gen. Goblin remarks.
was celebrated with much more than
usual enthusiasm and interest.
The Chief observes that
the Spanish war worked the people up to
q higher realization of the value Of Union
soldiers services
He comments on the favorable progress
of patriotic teaching in the schools. As to
the suspended members, Gen. Goblin I
thinks action should be left to individuai
Posts.
The report of the Adiutant-Ge General
Posts and 305 sos members, as against /
7,106 Posts and 3l9, 456 members the year /
before. The gain was: BY muster-in, /
1880; transfer, 4,275; reinstatement
L, ,eS7; delinquents, 1851. Total, 81, 453.
The losses were: BY death, 1888; dis /
charge, 1,199; transfer, 4, Al; suspension, /
q, ,933; dishonorable discharge, 165; de- /
linquent, 7,04l; surrender of charter ] ,023. /
Total number borne on the rolls, 3I2 ,271. |
The percentage of death was 2.41. The |
Order expended in charity Sill ,9o3.69.