Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-09-06
BIC DAY Of THE CAMP
G. A. r. Veterans Once More
March in Ranks TO the Music
of the Union.
REVIEWED BY CoMRADE MKINLEY.

/ the Major-Whole Line of March Packed
| with Cheering People Both Sides
4 Over Six Hours Passing the Reviewing
| Stand - President Visits the White
squadron in the Afternoon. Going
/ Aboard Five ships.
| Philadelphia. Sept. 6.-The busi-
ness session of the Grand Army began
TODAY with the Assem- bling of the ma
tioEal encampment. The contest for
commander in chief is between Col.
Albert ID. Shaw, of New York, and
Judge Leo Rossieur, of Missouri.
The report of Thomas j. Steward.
adjutant general, shows: The total
me bership of the Grand Army Of
the Republic in good standing June
so, 1898. was 7,2l3 posts, with
me bership of 3O5, COS; on December
81. 1898. 7,I7S posts with member
ship of 29S, 747, and on June 50. 1899,
6. .965 posts with n mem bership of
2S7, 9Sl. Expended in relief during
the year $3.50, $50. 64 The year 1890
was the high water mark in member
| ship (iO9, ,4S9). Every year since
| then has shown a DECREASE, and it is
not likely that any year in the future
will show gain over losses, although
enough comrades and shipmates of
the army and navy of the civil war
period yet remain to make such a
| thing possible. Each year shows an
increasing death rate among the mem
bership. Surely the Grand Army of
the Republic is marching into the
shadows"
The report of Quartermaster Gen
eral Fred w. Sphinx. of Chicago, shows
total receipts of S26, ,30S; expendi
lures, $14, CSC; balance on loans, SILL
672; investments in L. S. bonds, $16,-
loco
The address of Senior Vice Com
mander-in-Chief W. G. johnson, of
Cincinnati. opens with memorial
tribute to CommanGer-in-Ch James
A. Sexton, Past Chaplain-in-Chi
Rev. Thomas &. Warner and George
X. Mallory, a mem Der of the national
council of administration, all of whom
died during the year, and follows
with encouraging reviews of the
work of the Sons of Veterans and the
Women's Relief Corps. The latter
has a mem bership of III, $50 and eX-
pended for relief during the year SOL
1872. The Ladies of the G.. A. r. also
came in for good word.
The matter of dissatisfaction with
the administration of the pension
laws is treated at some length and
the order is referred to the report of
the pension committee on the result
of its investigation into the subject.
The veteran in the public service
and necessary legislation for his pro-
lection are also fully treated.
On the subject of the Spanish
American war. Col. johnson said in
part: The Spanish-American war,
though short in its duration, has
wrought some almost marvellous
changes, and accomplished some far
reaching magnificent results, in
which the survivors of the Grand
Army of the Republic have especial
reason for rejoicing and satisfaction,
The cementing of the ties of national
fraternity, the open recognition of
the fact that we are one nation with
one flag, and are a strong united peO-
pie is especially gratifying. 1t has
demonstrated to the world that the
American soldiers and sailors stand
today, as ever, for intelligence. pluck, |
bravery, valor, patriotism and endur-
duCcs DESel1lucII, lIdl y OuI IGSOuICeS
are varied and immense, and can be |
quickly utilized"
Col. johnson then referred in words
of praise to the matter of supplying
United States flags for the schools of
Porto Rico, initiated by the q. A. r.,
and added as TO our own schools:
The success attending the earnest |
efforts of our comradeship in the in
.f -
teaching in our public schools is a |
matter of much qualification"
Chicago was selected as the next |
place of meeting of the encamp-
ment.
The WOman's Branch.
Philadelphia, Sept. 6.-The report |
of Mrs. Matte Jameson. of Tippett,
ILL.,. national secretary, showed a i
mem bership of 1I5. .426. Contribu-
tions TO the emergency fund for SOL |
diers in the Spanish war were $50. 29S. |
The report of Mrs. Isabelle I. Bagley, |
national treasurer. showed total re-
ceipts of 81, ,o4I to the general fund |
aud a balance of S14.147- Mrs. Mary +. |
Hart, national patriotic instructor. re-
ported great success throughout the |
country in teaching patriotism in the i
schools.
Philadelphia, Sept. 6. - The grand |
event of the c. A. r. encampment is I
over-the great parade took place yes
terday and the thousands of veterans |
greeted the president as comrade of /
the times that tried mems souls thirty 4
eight years ago. The marchers passed |
between two lines of cheering people |
for the whole of the fve-mile march. /
From the fronts of the building TO the /
curb the people were packed in a solid /
mass, and even breathing was difficult /
Is a result of the crush about 400 |
men, women and children were over
come and taken from the cTowd <.