The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-09-09
CHICAGO Is CHOSEN.
Worlds Fair City Gets Next G. A.
r. Encampment.
An Honor for Col. Johnson-His An
nuaI Address-ReportS of Omcers
Pensions Committees Report
Causes Discussion.


Philadelphia. Sept. THE real bust
ness OF the grand army gathering be-
gan Wednesday with the assembling OF
the national encampment On the Grand
opera house, one of the most spacious
structures in the city. The delegates
did not hold the customary open meet
ing owing 10 the large amount of bust
ness 10 be transacted. The encamp-
ment is made up Of 344 delegates from
the various states and territories, $50
department officers, III national Off
GERS and post commanders in chief and
Csc post department commanders, the
total voting strength being 1,252.
The opening address was made by
Senior Vice Commander in Chief w. G.
Johnson.
mander-in-Chiers Address.
The address or Senior Vice Commander
in-Chef w. c. Johnson, OF Cincinnati.
opens with a memorial tribute 10 Com
mander-in-Chief James A. Sexton, Past
Chaplain-in-Chief Rev. Thomas C. War
ner, and George X. Mallory, n member OF
the national council OF administration. all
OF whom died during the year.
In regard TO pensions he said THE
question OF pensions. always one OF vital
interest 10 large percentage OF the MEM
bership OF our order, presents Itself TO this
encampment with perhaps a deeper sig
nificance than ever before. The far-reach-
ing dissatisfaction and disaffection as TO
the administration or this important de-
partment OF the government had. during
the past year. found expression through
resolutions adopted by many posts. reun
ions and state encampments most bitterly
condemning the present administration OF
the pension office.
II desire TO state In commentator OF the
splendid, untiring efficient services rem
dered by your pension committee. that they
have conscientiously, faithfully and judi
ciously performed their duties, and / am
sure. after the encampment has listened
10 the report OF the committee, IL Will be
well advised upon this most important
question and prepared 10 act intelligently
and wisely in the matter.
The old soldiers ask only that there be
fair dealing and just and fair construc-
tion Of the laws. as intended by those who
enacted them, and upon this basis there
should be no question. no Interpretation
or construction OF the laws, that deprives
them OF the benefits thus provided. The
amount paid for pensions is large, but not
beyond the ability OF the government 10
pay nor does IL outreach the obligation
of gratitude OF the American people to
those 70 whom IL is paid.
II cannot believe that the good, loyal
people OF this country are so anxious for
reduction I'm the pension list and the
amount paid out for pensions, that they
would insist upon its being done in a man
ner that would be unjust or unfair TO its
defenders.
Then followed the reading OF reports.
The report OF Thomas j. Steward, adju-
tant general. showed the total membership
OF the Grand Army of the Republic in good
standing June &c. 1898. was 7.213 posts. with
a membership OF 305,6O3 on December 81
ma tl.sarc d An .
2aS7i7. and on June 30 1899. $685. posts with
a membership OF 2S7.9Sl. Expended In re-
lief during the year, $3.50. 955.6i
The year 1890 was the high water mark
In membership (iO9,fS0. Every year since
then has shown a decrease, and IL Is not
likely that any year I'm the future will
show gain over losses, although enough
comrades and shipmates OF the army and
navy OF the civil war period yet remain
10 make such thing possible. Each year
shows an increasing death rate among the
membership. Surely the Grand Army OF
the Republic Is marching into the shadows.
How important. therefore, that with each
recurring year we apply TO the administra-
tion OF the affairs OF the order the most
practical and businesslike principles and
methods. one year ago / reported a de-
crease Of $3i6.33 I'm per capita tax received,
as compared with the previous year, and
said then the decrease would be greater
I'm amount each year. This year there is a
years $U7.7i. The decrease In the sale OF
supplies over the year ending June 30. 1898.
is $2.2i2.22
The report OF the quartermaster general.
Fred w. Sphinx, OF Chicago, shows the
following financial condition OF the organ
ization: Received from Charles Burrows,
Q. M. c.. october 7, 1898. $9,26O.4s. Received
from James A. Sexton. chief.
sl7,0iS.2O. Total. $26.30S.GS. Expenditures.
sll,6S6.2S. leaving balance on hand Of SILL
672.45.
johnson Elected.
Senior Vice Commander johnson, as
commander-in-chlef. was elected to
serve the unexpired 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 10
the Office Of senior vice commander, sue
ceeding Col. Johnson.
Next Meeting I'm Chicago.
The first business after recess was
the selection of place for the next en-
campment, and Chicago was chosen
by reclamation. The report OF the com
mittee on pensions was then read and
motion was made to refer il to the com
mittce on resolutions. This created
much discussion, many of the delegates
favoring the immediate adoption of
resolution covering the subjects men
toned i'm the report. The Michigan
delegation was the first 60 object 10
the report on the ground that IL failed
90 specify what the grand army wanted.
They were supported by Indiana, Kan
sas and New York. After "A discussion
lasting nearly four hours the report was
referred back to the committee on pen
sions. with instructions that il be pre-
scented ut to-day's session, embodying
recommendations and resolutions. The
report will be printed and distributed
among the delegates. Until then IL will
be withheld from publication.
The encampment adjourned ut $3.50
o'clock TO meet this morning at nine
o'clock.
AN ODD ASSORTMENT.