The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-09-15
G. A. R, VETERANS
Assemble at the National
Encampment.
Ex-Prlsoners of War in the Procession
Election of New Commander EKeiteS
Great In crest.

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 6.-The real |
business Of the Grand Army gathering |
began today with the assembling OF the |
national encampment in the Grand |
Opera House. The election of the next |
commander in chief is an important
question which will be decided by the
delegates. 1t is expected that Colonel
acting commander in chief, will be
elected to fill the unexpired term of
two days. This will render him inell-
gible to candidacy for the full term
and he will be given the title of past
commander in chief.
The contest for the cOmmandershlp
is between Colonel Albert d. Shaw OF
New York and Judge Leo Resscur OF
Missouri. In the meeting of the coun-
Gil of administration, after the adj
journment of the convention, there will
be an effort to change the method of
choosing the executive committee.
In addition to the national encamp-
ment the following auxiliary associa-
tons began their meeting today The
Naval Veterans WOman'S Relief Corps,
Ladies of the G. A. R., Union ex-Pris-
oners of War, Ladies Auxiliary Naval
Veterans, National Army Nurses AS
ISOLATION and Daughters of Veterans
In addition there were many corps
reunions during the day and night The
show feature was parade OF Union
eX-PrisOners OF War.
Among the reports prepared for pre-
sentation was that of Adjutant General
Thomas J. Steward, as follows:
The total membership of the Grand
Army of the Republic in good stand
ing June 80, 1898, was 1918 posts with
a membership of sos, SOB; on December
81, 1898, Ills posts, with a membership
of 29S,747; and on June 80, 1899, 6,965
posts. with a membership OF 2SI,9Sl.
Expended in relief during the year,
| SI6O,955 GA The year 1890 was the
high-water mark in membership, 4O9,-
4S9: every year since then has shown
| a decrease.
One year ago I reported decrease
of s346.33 in per capita tax received, as
COMPARED with the previous year. This
wear there is a decrease of $431.41 over
| last wear: the decrease in the sale OF
| sunnlies over the year ending June 80,
1898, is s2,242.22.
| The adiutant general includes In MS
| report a comparative table or recelpts
and expenditures from 1890 to 1899, IN
! elusive. showing a gradual decrease III
| both these items.
| The report of the quartermaster gen
eral Fred. w. Sphinx of Chicago, SHOWS
the funds on hand October I, 1898,
amounted to s9,26O.4S. Receipts since
| then have been SIT, 04S.20, making
total of s26. 3OS6S Expenditures have
amounted to $14 ,636.23, leaving bal
ance of $11, 672.45.
Tn his report Senior Vice Commander
in Chief w. c. Johnson of Cincinnati
says:
Il cannot commend too highly the ell
| 6cient work and valuable assistance
rendered to our order by that magnlfl-
cent auxiliary organization, the Wom-
ans Relief Corps.
During the past year the national
treasurer of the Woman's RELIEF corps.
Mrs. Bagley, forwarded to our natlonal
Headquarters the munificent sum oi
s1.O23.5O, as a contribution from the
Woman's Relief Corps to the southern
Memorial Day fund. Besides theli
great charitable work, they are Iedch-
ers of patriotism and loyalty TO nag
and country of the highest order' d.
demonstrated by their splendid WORK
in our public schools.
II herewith give a statement taken
from the national secretary's report OF
the present year: Number of members
lime 80. 1899. 141 $50; number of corps
2155. amount of money expended for
relief present year, SCI 1922; estlma-
ted value of relief present year, S6o,-
e1S 80. amount turned over to posts
s2S III. A: expended for Memorial Day
$40 800 90: expended for Memorial LAY
in Southern department, $1,O2s5o; eA-
nanded for WomanS Relief corps
home. sS.794.77; making total OF over
s1S 600 expended for the year, and max
ing a grand total expended for renei
| since it's organization to June 81, 1893
of 81 ,O73 ,991.7l
Another organization of eXceilen'
devoted women who have aided mate
rally in the charitable work OF oul
order is that of the Ladies OF the VI
A. R. who have in many places rem
dered valuable services, and deserE
orr sincere thanks. Reference Is mau'
| TO the investigation of the pension VI
flee by the pension committee, ana IL
conclusions recommended from IN
Endorsement OF the membership.
On the subject of the SpanlSn-Aihoi
: lean war Colonel Johnson says, IN part
The Spanish-American war, thousl
short in it's duration, has wrough
, some almost marvellous changes an
: accomplished some far-reachlnS mas
nifcent results, in which the SURVIVE!
of the Grand Army of the Repuoli
have especial reasons for rejoicing an
satisfaction, and, might say, congrat
ulation. The cementing of the ueS o
national fraternity. the open recoshi
ton of the fact that we are one natlo
with one flag and are strong, unite
people is especially gratifying. 1t ma
demonstrated TO the world that IN
American soldier and sailor STANDS 10
| day. as ever for intelligence, plucf
bravery, valor, patriotism and endur
. ance. pre-eminent, that our resource
are varied and immense, and can