The National tribune., 1899-06-15
THE GRAND ARMY.
What Veterans are Doing for the
Good of the Order. :.
PENNSYLVANIA EScAMpMENT.

/ PENNSYLVANIA ENCAMPMENT.
The 33d Annual Encampment at Wilkes
Barre, June Z and s.. brought together
veterans from every part of the great Com
monwealth, and despite the excessive heat
the occasion was enjoyed by all: The big
parade was feature of the first day, over
800 comrades taking part
Commander W. j. Patterson presided at
the business sessions. His address showed
the department. to be as prosperous finan-
clally as 1t had ever been, but numerically
it had been rapidly decreasing. On the
Soldiers Orphans Schools Commander
Patterson iaid special stress, saying that
the present management was credit to the
State. The careful training of the children
makes them useful men and women. and
while 1t may cost the Commonwealth some
thing to maintain them the beneficial result
compensates more than hundredfold.
he also referred to Gov. Hastings action
Department Commander Thomas G. Sam
pie, OF Allegheny, and Conrade james f.
MORRISON, as members of the Soldiers
Orphans Schools Commission, as presented
by department Commander Alfred Darte.
He said Gov. Hastings would make no
explanation for his vetoes despite repeated
questioning, but that Gov. Stone con-
firmed them as soon as he had succeeded
Hastings.
Commander Patterson also referred to
the pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors
Home, at Erie, and the many unfavorable
criticisms published about it. He stated
that he made personal investigation of it
from cellar to garret, and found every indi-'
cation OF absolute accuracy and honesty.
He expressed great pleasure at being
able to reappoint PastCOmmanders-in-C Chief
Louis wagner and Robert B. Beath, Past
Commanders Thomas j. Stewart, and II.
III. Cummings, and Comrade John L. Nichol-
son, OF Post No. 10, as members of the Board
of Trustees of the Home for the ensuing
term. as the interests of the institution
would he best served by retaining the old
comrades on the board.
On Dec. 81, 1893, the total number of
Posts was $50; total membership, 30,9S7.
Thomas Il. Sample, of Pittsburg, pre-
sented Commander Patterson with a gold
badge, the gift of the Department Staff.
The following officers were chosen: Com,
James +. Morrison, Philadelphia; s. V. c.,
Charles II. Hall, Wilkes-Barre; j. V. c.,
f: N. Yeager, Reading; Chap, Rev. John
w. Sayers, Philadelphia; Medical Director,
DR.. Louis E. Atkinson.
Commander Morrison made the following
appointments: Asst Adjt.-Gen:. Henry l.
Yohn, Philadelphia; Asst. Q. N. c., Jos.
Craft, Philadelphia; lnspt., Charles Suy-
dam, Philadelphia: Judge Advocate, l. NJ. :
Banks, Indiana; Chief Mastering Officer,
Thomas Jones, Pittsburg; and Chief of
Staff, II. b. Wallace, Philadelphia.
NEW JERSEY ENCAMpMENT.
The 32d Annual Encampment at Tren-
ton last week brought together over 900
Grand Army veterans.
The address of welcome was delivered by
Commander Charles Burroughs, of Cam
den. Department Commander William c.
Smith delivered an address on the state of
the order.
The report of Asst. Adjt-Gen. E. C.
Morse, of Plainfield, showed that the men,
bership in good standing at the end of the
year was 6,114, belonging to 119 Posts,
with a loss from the preceding year, from
death and other causes, of 26T. The
report shows that during the year 81 1858 90
was expended for charitable purposes.
Charles +. Hill, the Department Chap
lain, reported that in the 40 Posts which
have reported to him 10000 graves have
been decorated, 200 comrades have been
buried, and 100, 600 comrades and others
have taken part i'm the Memorial Day ser
vices.
A recommendation that the per capita
tax be fixed at 20 cents caused discussion.
The motion also included the consolidation
General and Assistant Quartermaster
General.
Past Department Commander E. C.
Stahl advocated by strong argument the
consolidation. The motion was lost by an
overwhelming vote and an earnest debate
toOh place upol liAluS Tie Idte Oh tfe per
capita tax at 20 cents, which was adopted.
The Assistant Adjutant-General was
directed to send greetings to the Depart
ment of Pennsylvania, in session at Wilkes
Barre, Pa.
The Encampment was visited by a
delegation from the Ladies of the G. A. r.
The Department Commander welcomed
the visitors, and report from the ladies
was read by the Assistant Adjutant-Ge len
eral. A similar committee presented the
report of the w. X. C..
The Assistant Quar.ermaster-Genera
report showed that S16,O43.41 had been
received from all sources during the year,
which, added to the balance on hand, made
fund of S52, ,SS326. There We're dis
bursements of SIS ,322 Sd, leaving balance
on hand of S34, ,56O.42.
In the relief fund the balance on hand is
S26, ,342.07.
George Barrett, of Camden, was elected
Department Commander The other
officers elected are as follows: S. ". C.,E V.
Richards, Trenton; j. V. c., Joseph Colyer,
Newark: Medical Director, John Young
love, Elizabeth; Chap, Charles f. Hill. /
Red Bank. Council of Administration
Stephen n. Long; Orange, Thomas f..
Watson, Jersey City; James Foreman,
New Brunswick; w. II. Fl. Wyckoff, Somer-
vile; A. X. Dease, Camden. Delegates to
National Encampment, Abram Lower.
Point Pleasant; James A. Morrissey,
Paterson; Silas Volk, Camden; G.. F. Robin
son, Jersey City; Bishop Mains, Trenton:
Isaac Inslee, Woodbridge; r. d. Brewer,
Newburn.
Commander Barrett has appointed Harry
General.