Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-09-14
IT'S MEMBERSHIP DECREASING
Statistics of the G. a. r. show That the
Veterans Ranks Are Constantly Thin
ning-The w. r. c.

veterans Ranks Are Constantly Thin
ning-Fhe w. r. c.
Philadelphia, Sept. THE real bust
ness of the Grand Army gathering be-
gan to-day with the assembling of the
national encampment in the Grand
opera house. The election of the next
commandments was the important
question which created the great in
terest. Col. William c. johnson. of
Cincinnati, the acting COMMANDMENTS
chief. will be elected to fill the unex-
pired term of two years. This will
render him ineligible to candidacy for
the full term The contest for the
commandership was between Col. Al
bert d. Shaw, of New York, and Judge
Leo Rassieur, of Missouri.
The address of Senior Commander
in-Chief w. c. johnson, of Cincinnati,
opens with a memorial tribute to Com
mander-in-Chief James A. Sexton, Past
Chaplain-in-Chief Rev. Thomas C. War
ner, and George K. Mallory, a mem Der
of the national council of adminstra-
ton, all of whom died during the year
With regard to pensions he says:
The old soldiers ask only that there be fair
dealing and just and fair construction of the
laws, as intended by those who enacted them,
and upon this basis there should be no question
no Interpretation or construction of the laws,
that depriveS them of the benefits thus pro-
V1ded. The amount paid for pensions is large
but not beyond the ability of the government to
pay. nor does it outreach the obligation or graf
1tude OF the American people to those to whom
1t is paid. cannot believe that the good, loyal
people of this country are so anxious for re-
duction in the pension list and the amount paid
out for pensions that they would insist upon its
being done in manner that would be unjust or
unfair to its defenders.
Chicago was chosen for the next
place of meeting.
Reports of Different Omcers.
The report of Thomas ]. Steward, adjutant
general says: The total membership of the
Grand Army of the Republic in good standing
June 30 1898, was 1918 posts, with member
ship of 305, SOB; December 81 1898, TITS posts,
with a membership of 29S TAT. and on June 30,
1899, $3.50 posts, with membership of 2S7 1871.
Expended for relief during the year. SI60 9o5. 81.
The year 1880 was the high water mark in mem
bership, 4G9,489 Every year since then has
shown decrease and it is not likely that any
year in the future will show a gain over losses,
although enough comrades and shipmateS of
the army and navy of the civil war period yet
remain to make such thing possible. Each
year shows increasing death rate among the
membership Surely the Grand Army of the
Republic is marc hing into the shadows. One
year ago re 2or ted decrease of $}46.33 in per
capita tax received compared with the pre-
vious year, and said then the decrease would
be greater in amount each year. This year
there IS a decrease of Sl31.4l over last year, in
two years S777.74 The decrease in the sale of
supplies over the year ended June 3d. 1898, is g.
PAP %.
The report of Mrs. Matte Jameson Tippett,
of Illinois, national secretary of the Woman'S
Relief corps, shows a membership in good
standing, of 1854 IS, with 80 departments and 81
detached corps. The report shows that &c.,
1871 was contributed from the various depart
ments to the emergency fund for the soldiers of
the Spanish war.
The report of Mrs. Isabelle T. Bagley ma
tional treasurer, shows total receipts of S42,
040.7l, to the general fund during the year, and
a balance of $14, 147.53 The receipts for the
home fund amounted to 81 l. 333.77, with bal
ance on hand of s.. 539 The national council of
wOmen's fund shows balance of S617.97. Bal
ances in number of other funds brings the to-
tai cash balance in all funds up to S18,910.96.
Mrs. Mary E. Hartweu, national patriotic in
structor, reported great success throughout the
country in the teaching of patriotism in the
schools In California. she reported, the stars
and stripes hoated every public school
house, and that all educational institutions in
Nevada and California, including universities,
had been urged to promote patriotism. The
flag is hoisted over 1891 schools throughout
the country during sessions and 10. "a public
schOol-teachers are engaged in Installing patri-
otto ideas in the minds of the pupils In 81, 9S6
schools the flag is displayed and 1922 schools
possess a declaration of independence chart.