The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-06
VETERANS LAST Session
Annual Eneampment of the U. v.
U. Closes With a Camp Fire.
of the Administration
Distasteful to a Delegnte-He Pro-
Newly Elected Officers Installed
Commander Dyrenforth Honored.

The fifteenth annual encampment of the
Union Veterans Union and the Woman's
Auxiliary, which has been in session in
this city since last Monday, came to a
close last night with camp fire at Ma
had been prepared for the occasion, and
it was late in the evening when the vet
Grams took leave of their Washington
comrades. One of the members could not
agree with the arguments of speaker
who lauded President McKinley's Admin
istration, and he protested in foreibie lam
guage Calls of put him out" were heard
and the director was taken out of the
hall
A committee early in the day called on
Secretary Long and asked for the SER
vices OF the Marine Band at the camp fire.
The Secretary declined. to grant the re-
guest. saying that the Marine Band was
only available for state occasions. This
caused much feeling among the veterans.
An orchestra. however. was in attendance,
The national officers occupied tine stage,
and Col. S. ]. Block, of this city, pre-
sided. The camp fire was opened with
prayer by Chaplain c. Roberts. General
Morgan followed with an address. in the
course of which he said: And by the
eternal, If the people and the Govern
ment won't stand by US. we won't stand
by them" This sentence was greeted
with loud applause. General Morgan was
speaking Of the rights of the old soldiers
and the duty of the Government toward
them The next speaker, General Dyren-
forth, Commander-in-Chief of the United
Veterans Union, made a short address on
the good accomplished by the order and
said that its destiny would be one of
eternal honor" After his address the
audience fled past General Dyrenforth and
shook hands with him.
Colonel Stratton assumed the chair and
made short address, dwelling on the good
results which have come from the able
administration of General Dyrenforth. and
presented him in the name OF the organi-
cation with beautiful bust crayon set in
a heavy gold frame. General Dyrenforth
was taken by surprise and could scarcely
muster words to express his appreciation.
Col Charles S. Finch, of Dubuque. Iowa,
offered three cheers for the commander.
which were given with a will.
Miss Julie Vallette was introduced and
sang The Star Spangled Banner" the au-
dience joining in the chorus. Miss Mamie
Smith. the daughter Of Gen. Green Clay
Smith, recited Collin Graves Ride" On
motion OF Colonel Stratton the audience
sang John Browns Body" Arthur Mid
dleton. OF this city, sang "Sleep in the
Deep" As an encore he gave The Bell
Buoy" Miss Corinne Hay recited "OId
Glory" Much merriment was caused by
.ae rendering by Finley S. Hay of the Dutch
rersion Of Barbara Fretchie." His encore
was the poem, THE Hymns That Mother
Used to Sing" Miss Julie Vallette sang
the Scotch ballad, Marie Of Argyle" Miss
Mamie Smith sang "There'I Be a Hot
Time IN the Old Town Tonight
John McElroy, editor OF the National
Tribune" made a short speech. dwelling
on the pension question. He was followed
by Mrs. Ada B. Johnson, President of the
Woman's Relief Corps. who spoke of the
recited an original poem. "a Tribute to
Our Veterans"
II was at this point that Delegate
nongee, Of Ohio, began his speech In
the course of his remarks he took occasion
to endorse the Mckinley Administration
A comrade in the audience disagreed with
him. and insisted upon expressing his opin-
ion of the party in power. This was the
closing intident of the camp fire of the
Veterans Union.
The public was we'll represented at the
installation of the new officers of both
organizations. which took place at the
Rifles Hall yesterday afternoon.
At the morning session the Union Vet
Grams Union strongly endorsed the pro-
posed memorial bridge between this city
and Arlington, and a resolution to that
effect was introduced by Col. W. p.
Pierce. OF Georgia. and unanimously
adopted.
Resolutions thanking the residents of
Washington for their patriotism and lib
erality In entertaining the delegates and
expressing gratitude to the Citizens
Committee and o. c. Staples, of the Riggs
House. were also adopted
A resolution censuring the railroad
companies for not having granted re-
duced rates to the visitors, was also
adopted