The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-10
GENERA STEWART
THEIR: | / new Chief |! /.
He is Elected Commander in
Chief BY the G. A. R.
KIND WORDS J, FOR THE SOUTH j il 4
General Torrance in III. Annual ADJ
dress Reiteratos His Friendly Po.,-
.ion-ResoIutions on Mckin.
ley's Death.
KIND WORDS FOR THE SOUTH.
{By Associated Press. y

10Y 5AeeOC1AL6Q fleSS.
WASHINGTON. Oct. s.-The Grand
Army got down to business to-day and
the encampment OF the ORDER besides
nearing an address from COMMANDMENTS
Chief Torrance, and reports from a, NUM-
Der Of officers and committees, elected
new head Tor the ensuing year.
The new commauder-in-chief of the G..
a. r. is General T. J.. Stewart, of Penn
sylvania, who was a leading candidate
for the honor year ago. HIS conapei-
tors to-day were General John C.. Black.
Of illinois. former commissioner OF
pensions, and Colonel John NlcElroy, OF
this city. The name Of General Daniel
Sickes, of New York city. was presented
to the convention, but he withdrew from
the race. The vote was: Stewart, 4S7:
Black, 22; McElroy. So.
William II. DIN, of Massachusetts,,
was elected vice commander IN chief by
a vote Of Al to 326. for J. L.. Smith, Of
Ohio, and James NJ. Averill, Of Georgia,
junior uce-commander IN chief. Aver'll
received 567 votes and L. G. Way, OF
Floradi, 81.
Aside from the election of these officers
the most interesting feature of the en-
campment was the report OF Che pension
commission committee of the G. a X
This committee severely scored the med1-
cal divisions OF the Pension Bureau, de-
clar1ng that it was q dead line where
we're executed the claims OF veterans
seeking pensions. .
The Woman's Relief Corps, the Daugh-
tiers Of veterans and the ladies Of the
G. A. r., also met in annual convention
to-day.
Thousands Of veterans and their wives.
not delegates to either Of the organ1za-
tons, attended the army corps reunions
In the big tents on White Lot or spent
the beautiful October day in sight seeing.
A feature OF the late afternoon was the
dedication Of the cornerstone Of the
proposed memorial bridge to connect
at Arlington. Secretary Root was the
orator OF the occasion.
REPORT ON PENSIONS.
Among the Official documents present
ed to the encampment to-day was the
report OF the committee appointed last
wear to investigate the administration OF
the pension Offices by the then pension
commissioner. Hon. Clay Evans. Speaking
OF the results OF their inquiry into special
complaints. they say that mary OF these
complaints were without merit, but that
on the other hand, many meritorious
claims have been thrown out.
From personal investigation" thev
say, I'VE are convinced that scores OF
claims are rejected every day that should
be allowed" The responsibility for these
reflections is laid principally a the door
OF the medical division Of the Pension
Bureau The report, which is dated
March I'D last, concludes:
1--WE deem it our duty In making the
report to declare that among the sur
vivors of the war of the rebellion there
is an irremovable belief and conviction
that tho present commissioner OF pen
s1ons Is not disposed to administer the
duties OF his Office in that spirit Of
equity and justice to applicants for PEN
siors which they have right to expect,
and while we are actuated by no feeling
OF unkndness toward the honorable COM
missioner of pensions, we are convicted
that Justice to the soldier Is impossible
of attainment under the present admins
istration OF the Pension Bureau
At the session of the encampment to-.
day a resolution introduced by General
Edgar Allan. of Virginia. was adopted
expressing the grief OF the encampment
over the death of President Mckinley
AID its regrets over President ERoosevelts
indisposition.
PLEA FOR FRATERNITY.
Commander in Chief Torrance read his
annual address and reports of ofhcres
were read. In his address General Tor
rance devoted considerable space to
consideration Of the status Of the ex-
Confederate soldier. repea ting in spirit
his plea of month ago for the
manifestation of good will and brotherly
kindness toward the late adversari. Of
the members of the Grand Army. He
said he had been prompted In making
that appeal by the belief that such a
corsiderat ion would tend to bring still