The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-07
BUSINESS SESSION

ofthe Grand Army of the Republic.
Contest for the Commandcrship.
Reports of ohlcers-Next Place of
Meeting Chicago.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Sept. 6.-The
real business OF the Grand Army en-
campment began to-day with the as
sembllng of the national encampment in
the Grand opera house. one OF the most
spacious structures In the city.
The contest for commandershlp is be-
tween Col. Albert D. Shaw. Of New
York, and Judge Leo Ressleur. OF Mis-
souri,. There are likely to be lively
times in the meeting Of the council of
administration after the adjournment
OF the convention.
The opening address was made by
Senior Vice Commandev-In-chiet w. c.
The report of Alonzo Williams, of
Providence, r. l., inspector general,
gave the loss by death as 1884, which
added to losses through other causes,
such as discharge. honorary and dis
honorable surrender OF charter, sus-
penslons and transfers. made the total
loss 1856. The number Of members In
good standing June 80, 1899, was 2SI,9Sl.
other reports presented were those OF
the Junior vice cOmmander-ln-ch chief,
surgeon general and chaplain-in-chief.
After they had been read they were re-
ferred to the committee on amend
ments.
appointed, consisting Of one member
from each Of the forty-tive depart
ments.
Senior Commander Johnson, us COM
mander-In.chief. was elected to fill the
unexplred term Of the late Col. Sexton.
Commander Johnson Will continue In
office until the end OF this encampment.
Daniel Ross, OF Wilmington. Del,
Junior vice commander, was elevated to
the ofTifIlce of senior vice commander,
succeeding Col Johnson.
The first business after recess was the
selection OF place for the next en-
canpment and Chicago was chosen by
ncclamation. The report OF the COM
mlttee on pensions was then read and n
motion was made to refer II to the com.
mIttee on resolutions. This created
much discussion, many OF the delegates
fnyorlng the immediate adoption OF a
resolution covering the evils mentioned
in the report. The Michigan delegation
was the first to object to the report on
Inc ground that 1t failed to specify
what the Grand Army wanted. They
wore supported by Indiana, Kansas
and New York. After Il discussion
lasting nearly four hours, the report
was referred back to the committee on
pensions, with instructions that 1t be
presented at to-morrow's session, em-
bodylng recommendations and resolu-
lions, The resolution will be printed
Tomorrow and distributed among the
delegates. Until then II VIII be With
held from publication. The complaint
OF the veterans US contained In the pen
sion committees report Is that the law
governing the granting OF pensions Is
Inlsconstrued by the pension examiner.
| The report Is not critical, but Is said TO
contain n statement Of facts as they
exist in the pension department. The
encampment adjourned Mt $3.50 O'Clock
10 meet tomorrow morning ut
During the noon recess the Pennsyl:
vnnIn. delegation met In caucus and
voted unnnImnusly to support Shaw for
the office OF mmnnder-in-chief. They
nISo decided TO present no candidates
FOR nfice to the convention. This nc
lion wnE taken for the purpose OF break
inp I'm the practice Of cOncedlng to the
stSie in which the encAmpment IL held
the Office OF senlor vice commander-in-
Immediately after his election, Com
nRnder-in-C Chief johnson was the reclp-
ient OF Il diamond badge. the gift OF his
chief -of-staff, Col. W. L. Smith and
| ntdnu