The record-union., 1899-09-07
Business Sessions Of the Grand
Army Opened.
Chicago Selected as the Next Meeting
Place Of the EnCampment.
A Split in the Ranks Of the Ma
tional Association of Naval Vet
erans Over the Defeat of a Res
the Spanish-American War to
the Order.

o1ution to Admit Veterans of
the Spanish-American War to
the Order.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 6.-The real
business of the Grand Army gathering
began to-day with the assembling OF
the National Encampment in the
Grand Opera-house. The election of
the next Commander-i in Chief is an inn
portant question, which will be decided
by. the delegates. Colonel William c.
Johnson of Cincinnati, the Acting Com
mander- in Chief, was elected to fill the
unexpired term of two days. This will
render him ineligible to candidacy for
the full term, and he will be given the
title Of Past Commander-in-Ch Chief.
The contest for the Commandership
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 adjourn
ment of the convention there will be
an effort to change the method of
choosing the Executive Committee.
In addition to the National Encamp-
iIClll lIIC lOliOWIlS auxiliary dSSOCld-
tions began their meetings to-day: The
Naval Veterans, Womans Relief Corps,
Ladies of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, Union ex-Pensioners of War,
Ladies Auxiliary Naval Veterans, Ma
tional Army Nurses Association 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;
Report of Thomas J. Steward. Adju-
tant General:
1.-The total membership of the Grand
Army of the Republic in good standing
June 80, 1898, was 1918 posts. with a
membership of 305,603; on December
81, 1898, IT'S posts, with a member
ship Of 29S747, and on June 30, 1899
$500 posts, with a membership of 2S7
9S1. Expended in relief during the
year, $3.50, 956.64. The year 1890 was
the high water mark in membership
409,4S9. Every year since then has
shown a decrease.
"One year ago I reported a decrease
Of $346.33 in per capita tax received,
as compared with the previous year.
This year there is a decrease of $431. Al
over last year; the decrease in the sale
of supplies over the year ending June
30, 1898, is $2,242 %"
The Adjutant General includes in his
report a comparative table of receipts
and expenditures from 1890 to 1899, in
elusive, showing a gradual decrease in
both these items.
The report of the Quartermaster Cen
eral, Fred w. Sphinx of Chicago, shows
the funds on hand October Z, 1898,
amounted to $9.260.4S Receipts since
then have been SIT ,04S.2O, making a
total of $26, ,30S.6S Expenditures have
amounted to $14,63623 leaving a bal
ance of $11,672.45.
In his report Senior Vice Command
er-in-Chief w. c. Johnson of Cincin-
natl says: Il cannot commend too
highly the efficient work and valuable
assistance rendered to our order by
that magnificent auxiliary organiza-
tion, the Woman's Relief Corps.
During the past year the National
Treasurer of the w. r. c., Mrs. Bag
ley, forwarded to our national head
quarters the munificent sum of
81 ,023.5O as a contribution from the
w. r. G. to the Southern Memorial Day
fund. Besides their great charitable
work, they are teachers of patriotism
and loyalty to flag and country of the
highest order, as demonstrated by their
splendid work in our public schools
81 herewith give a statement taken
from the report of the National Secre
tary for the present year: Number Of
members June 30, 1899. 141 $50; num-
Der of corps, 3,156; amount of money
expended for relief the present year,
SCI, 1872. -; estimated value of relief the
present year, $60,64SS2; amount turn
ed over to posts, $3S, Al; expended
for Memorial Day, $10,S00.20; expend-
ed for Memorial Day in Southern De-
partment, $1,02S.56; expended for w. r.
c. home, SS.794.77; making a total of
over $4,000 expended for the year and
making a grand total expended for re-
lief since its organization to June 80,
1899, of $173, 3,991.1.
Another organization of excellent
devoted women who have aided mate
rally in the charitable work of our or
der is that of the Ladies of the G. A. r.,
who have in many places rendered val
liable services, and deserve our sincere
thanks
Reference is made to the investiga-
ton of the Pension Office by the Pen
sion Committee and its conclusions rec
commended for the Endorsement of the
membership.
On the subject of the Spanish-Ameri-
can war Colonel Johnson says in part !:
1.-THE Spanish-American war, though
short in its duration. has wrought
some almost marvellous changes and
accomplished some far-reaching mag
nificent results, in which the survivors
of the Grand Army of the Republic
have especial reasons for rejoicing and
satisfaction, and, I might say, congrat-
ulation. The cementing of the ties of
national fraternity, the open recogni
tion of the fact that we are one nation
with one flag and are a strong united
people is especially gratifying. 1t has
demonstrated to the world that the
American soldier and sailor stands to-
day, as ever, for intelligence, pluck
bravery, valor, patriotism and endur-
ance, pre-eminent, that our resources
are varied and immense, and can be
quickly utilized"
Special mention is made of the move
ment started by Lafayette Post of New
York. which has resulted in sending 900
flags for the publip nd r,riuafa caT1oalS