Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-29
ON BUSINESS BENT
G. A. r. Veterans Devote the Day to
Organization Affairs.
FORMALLY WELCOMED TO CHICAGO
Commander Shaw Replies to Ad-
dress of Mayor Harrison.
SPEECHES BY 9TH E r S

r. CHICAGO, August 29.-In Studebaker
Hall this morning the veterans Of the G.
A r. who yesterday marched in parade
turned their attention 10 matters CT bus
mess. The annual meeting was formally
called to order at 1890 o'clock by Com
mander-in- Chief Shaw. The hour originally
set for the meeting was 10 o'clock. but so
many of the old soldiers were late in an
swering the roll call that it was found i'm
possible to commence on time
Gen. Shaw announced that the meeting
would be opened with prayer by Chaplain
standing during the prayer.
Mayor Harrison then came to the front
of the rostrum TO formally welcome the
soldiers to Chicago. His address, which
was happily received. was in part as fol-
lows:
Mayor HarrisOn's Address.
l esteem ii a high privilege to be per-
mitted on behalf of the city of Chicago TO
extend it's official greeting to the Grand
Army of the republic and in its name to
welcome each and every member of your
historic association to our hearts, our
homes and our hearth. Chicago is at all
times hospitable city, and If her greeting
to the strangers within its gates be always
ii be when that guest is the great organiza-
ton of men who for four long years braved
all the dangers of disease. wounds and
death. and all from a pure, unselfish deVo-
ton TO the best interests of our common
country.
Since the dawn of civilization patriotic
devotion to the fatherland has led to splen-
did acts of heroism and the display of lofty
patriotism. But nowhere can we find
counterpart to the record of this nation
during those days of civil strife. when an
almost countless army of patriots forsook
home and freSide that a government or
freemen the first in all the history of the
world. might remain mighty and intact.
Illinois Gifts to the Country.
The people of Chicago being part and
parcel of the great state of Illinois-the
state that gave to the Union Lincoln and
Douglass. a Grant and Logan. could
not be other than patriotic if they would.
Nothing so inspires people high ex-
ample and with such Illinois has again and
again been blessed. And so. today. can
speak for all our citizens in voicing their
thanks for the services Of the Grand Army
a well their congratulations on the
success that has attended your efforts. In
every corner of our land the flag stands for
one and the same idea, in city and hamlet.
on farm and plantation, it receives equal
reverence and devotion.
The people of Chicago. in common with
all the nation. appreciative of your serv-
ices. bid you a welcome so hearty and so
warm that if the thanks of grateful COM
munity count for anything you may feel In
some measure repaid for the trials, the
dangers and the sufferings of the past.
Chicago is yours not only for today, but
for all days.
Commander-in-Chief Shaw of the Grand
Army replied 20 Mayor Harrison for the
members Of his organization. expressing the
thanks of the army for the hospitality
shown them. His address. was as follows:
Commander Shnw's Response.
The comrades of the Grand Army are
deeply touched by the splendor of Chcagos
welcome and the wealth of her boundle5s
hospitality. Your eloquent words find
echo in every heart before you, and over
all this broad land they will charm and de-
light the aging heroes of other times and
other scenes. when wars hard sacrifices
filled the nation with mourning. Such I'M
excelled evidences of the patriotism and
appreciative gratitude OF your citizens as
We see on every hand on this great coca
sion Of the thirtyfourth encampment
touches us almost to tears. for 1t is sweet
10 be remembered"
on behalf of the Grand Army of the Re-
public l thank you from a full heart for
your noble hospitality, and through you
the citizens of this famous city, for the
bright days prepared for the many thous
ands who bore the burden of war in the
saving of the nation TO full liberty in the
Co Over all the wide borders of our
united and happy country the sweet music
of concord and commerce fall upon the
ear. gladdening all hearts and promoting
concord beautiful as it is gratifying
from every standpoint of citizenship and
national glory. We now have one emblem
of our nations peace and power. and
der It lies the promising destiny Lincoln
prophesied when 60O,Oe9.oC0 of free and
happy people should possess our land
Flag Of the seas, on oceans wave
Thy stars shall glitter DER the brave;
Flag of the brave, Thy folds shall fly
The signal Of hope and triumph high"
And may the blessings of Almighty God
rest upon all our people henceforth.
Greeting From J. NJ. LOngenecker.
As General Show resumed his seat J. NJ
Longenecker commander of the depart
ment of Illinois, rose to greet the visiting
veterans in behalf of the soldiers of ILL
nos. He made happy little speech, which
evoked much applause. Gen. Louis Wag-
ner, who responded for the members of
the army. was no less felicitous in mis- re-
ply. expressing the gratitude of his com
rades to the men OF Illinois.
The convention reassembled at 2 o'clock
in the afternoon. and this time there We're
no preliminaries. The action was opened
at once by General Shaw, who read his an
nual report
Following the address of General Shaw
came long list OF reports submitted by
the minor officials and the various commit
tees OF the organization. The reports read
were those OF he executive committee
council Of administration, Adjutant General
Stewart, Quartermaster General Atkinson
Surgeon General Baker. Cha plain-in-Chief
Grimm, Judge Advocate General Torrance
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Robbins
Junior Vice Chief Minton
Custodian Holcomb, Inspector General
Cummins, committee of legislation of vet
Grams in public service and of the commit
tee on pension legislation.
Veterans In
One OF the features of the encampment
which attracted much attention was the
veterans bicycle road race. in which twen-
ty-nine old soldiers started. The course
was from Halstead street west to Garfield
Park and once around the park, a distance
of five miles.
The winne~ vas j. Patterson sixty-one
years OF age. of Greenfield. Ind. time 10 33
He also took the time prize.
H Hamerly. sixty-ffve years of age fin
ished second in 225S.
OF the twenty-nine starters twenty-six
finished
AT the conclusion of the reading of the
annual reports Of the various officers an
adjournment was taken until 2::O pm
when consideration of reports was resumed
in executive session. Many of the dele
gates were in favor of finishing up the
routine business of the encampment TODAY
IT possible. and II was accordingly voted
TO hold an evening session. beginning at