Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-08-30
A LOSS N MEMBERSHIP.
Grand Army of the Republic Has
Total of 276,862 on Its Rolls,
1896 Short Of January I.
DEATH RATE GRADUALLY INCREASING.
From @.7S In 1899 It Has Climbed to $50
In 169O-RepOrts Of Omcers Show the
Orders Finances to BE In Good COndi-
tiOn-COmmAndsr-in-C shAwss Adj
B dress Covers Several Topics.

q
Chicago, Aug. 29.-The National
Grand Army encampment devoted
Wednesdays session to business.
Commander-in-Chief Shaw made an
exhaustive report, covering pension
legislation and the various interests
of the order. Among other things
he said:
civics has been a prominent issue in the
past history of the Grand Army, and
great good along patriotic lines of educa-
ton has been the result. 1t is in line with
the highest sentiment of Christian citi-
zenship. The only safety for our union
in the future lies in the wise and unset
hsh patriotism and virtue of our whole
people. The steps of future generations
will not stumble If their national path
way is paved with right principles and
safe-guarded with noble Inspirations Of
Justice. law, liberty and religion.
The Importance of proper military drill
In schools Is now generally acknowledged
by our prominent educators. It develops
both mind and body in a desirable way,
and 1t adds greatly to the physical Gull
ture of our youth. Besides in a country
where the nation depends upon volunteers
for its soldiers In time of war, the wise
and prudent knowledge OF military
quirements are elements of national
strength of the most desirable sort in
times OF peace.
Profoundly impressed with the weak
ening way Memorial day is being OBJ
served in the element of games and d.
versions of one sort or another which
are more and more coming into view,
your commander-in-chief strongly rec
ommends that 1T fall on the last Sunday
IN May. II this change is made it is
believed from wide consultations and in
terchange OF views that the holy
Sabbath day will preserve 1t from the
dissertations which now largely pervert
the tender associations of this unique
memory day from its original signif1ca-
ton.
The report of AdjS. Gen. Thomas ].
Stewart was in part as follows:
The total membership of the Grand
Army of the Republic in good standing
June 80. 1899, was 6,9O5 posts with mem
bership Of 2S7,9S1; on December 81, 1899,
7,o72 posts with a membership of 2S7,S6S;
on June 80, 1900 SITS posts with a member
ship of ZIG, 662. Reports received from de-
partments show s,669 members were
dropped from rolls, having been pre-
Viously suspended. Unusual interest has
been manifested in our order during the
past year. Comrades have been more
active than for some years heretofore.
The losses from all causes reported dur
ing the last II months have been n,319-
less than In any year since 1893. The
death rate has increased from 2.TS in
1899 to $50 In 1900. The aggregate of total
receipts for the year ending with the en-
campment In 1900 is $13, S39-an increase
of 1892 this year over last. The expense
account is $1,Ss7 greater for the year 1900
than for that OF 1899, and this does not
include any salary whatever for the adj
jutant general.
Edward J. Atkinson, quartermaster
general of the G. A. r., has submitted
his annual report for the year ended
August 10, 1900. It follows:
The cash receipts were $2S243.9S; ex-
penditures, $2O.3O3.14; balance, $7,94OS4
Total amount: Abstract of sales, S.
ended December 81, 1899, $3,6357S; term
ended June 80. 1900. $3,47243 Shipment of
flags credited to the Southern Memorial
fund. 34.S50; on hand 1880. Contributions
for Memorial day from all sources, ST.
S79.25. Receipts Qncluding balance from
report of 1899, interest for 1899 and 1900,
and posts. Ladies of the G. A r., Sons of
Veterans and national treasurer) $3.SSS.0T.
Disbursements, 81, 44o.65; balance on hand,
$2.44742 Grant Memorial fund.- $6.O7o.S5;
expenditures. $3,645.07; balance, g, %.
Sherman Memorial fund, S.60. Supplies
purchased from September %, 1899, to
August TO- 1900. $4.1S056. Value of supplies
purchased. issued and remaining on hand,
81, 095.55; profit same, $1,912.SS. Total
expenditures for supplies, travelling ex-
penses, salaries. postage, stationery and
incidentals, $50, 612.04. Assets, S, Sc; in
YestmentS, 81, 600
In the report Of Surgeon General Will
liam H. Baker the number OF deaths
during the year ended December 81. 1899,
were 1851, divided as follows: Number
who presumably died of wounds received
in the service S63; number who presuma-
bly, died of disease contracted in the serv-
ice, 2,296; number who presumably died
from other causes, 5, 1888. The total value
of medical service and supplies furnished
during the year was estimated at $780,
199. The number of deserving sick or
manned not receiving pensions was
1907. The number of inmates in SOL
diers' homes, supported by the govern
ment and the states in which they are
soldiers and sailors in almshouses was
20.
The annual report of Judge Advo-
cate General Eli Torrance covers
seven cases with opinions on each. The
more important opinions are as fol-
flows:
Every person who served in the confed-
crate army either voluntarily or involun-
tarily, and all those who in any manner
aided the confederate government either
igible to membership in the Grand Army
of the Republic. 1t is immateria1 how
short the term of service unimportant
the aid rendered-the disqualification is
complete.
post that passes a resolution indors-
ing the candidacy of one of its members
for congress as well the officers OF the
are subject to discipline for violation
of the rules and regulations.
Following is an abstract of In
spector General Cummings report
Tor the year ended Jpus 80, 1900.