Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-10

trust one year ago without votclng the
noble sentiments which ] know animate
all your hearts, and | rest content In the
belief that no influences or conditions, north
or south, can successfully construct or
maintain a seotlonal line that viii prevent
ing and cordial good will by act ~ well
as by speech between the surviving vet
Grams Of those TTho wore the blue ana
Commander Torrance,s address was re-
ferred TO the standing committee having in
charge the reports Of ofncers, after which
the reports OF general oficers we're pre-
scented.
Reports of the Omcers.
oficial reports we're made by the senior
vice commander. the junior vice commander,
the surgeon general. the chaplain n -chief,
the a%djutant general. the quartermaster
general, the inspector general and the Judge
advocate. general, ~ IL
In his report the SURGEON general. w. R.
ThraIl. Of Cincinnati redonmends that the
office Of surgeon general b made honorary
and that the mortuafy and health features.
which the surgeon general is expected to
supply, be furnished by the adjutant gen
ersl.
This recommendation is made, DR.. Thrall
says. because Of the impcssibility OF getting
complete statistics from the department
medical directors. He makes no further
saying that to 60 further woul be
TO palm off statistics which would be en-
tirely unreliable.
Chaplain in Chief Thomas n. Boyle of
Pittsburg also speaks Of the futile attempts
he has made to SECURE statistics Of attend
ance at Memorial day services. but he at
tributes the neglect to supply the facts to
the advanced age OF many post chaplains
and OF their comrades.
Active Alta of women.
In his report Inspector General wilfred
A. Wetherbee Of Boston says:
find that our weakest departments, as
well as our weakest posts, are those which
nected with them. 1T has been truly said
that the success OF, all great undertakings
has been largely due to the Influence Of
women. The Grand Army of the Republic
can give testimony to the truth of that
statement. / most earnestly. recommend
smaller the post the greater the need OF
the corps.
Q~uartermaster General Barroxs Of, Ruth
erford. N. j., furnished details. concerning
the financial AFFAIRS Of The order, in the
course or which he'Asays: ". 5A
I am glad to be able to- report a. good,
sound financial condition, the cash in
the general fund and supplies on hand
showing an increase over last YeaE.y
The Southern Memorial fund shows a
the generous contribution from the
Woman's Relief Corps, would have been
The statement shows a balance "a hand
in the general fun sof 1881.
Muster Roll of the order.
The report of Adjutant General silas H.
fowler OF Minneapolis shows that on June
Is last the muster roll OF the Grand Army
contained 263, 745 names Of members An good
standing, and that there we're 6,S1i posts.
The figures as to membership show a net
loss since the preceding year Of $500. The
adjutant general says that the high-water
mark Of membership was attained In 1890,
when II numbered 400, $50; and that there
has heen q gradual dpnline sinaa then
Commenting on this circumstance he says:
1t is indeed encouraging that notwith.
standing the inevitable Increase In the loss
instatement overcome il. There are still
lifting over 300, 900 of the men who were 9
part of that grand army Of the COS and Of
years. Of age. This suggests to me to say
that II proper energy were. put forth the
Grand Army Of the Republic ought to in.
crease in numbers instead ,of decrease.
TIL death loss OF the year is S,299. The
percentage based on the number of mem
bers IN good standing at the beginning o
ceding year. ms ~, ""
The convention then agreed by a vote t,
proceed at 3 o'clock to the election Of on
GERS for the next year. and after this ques
tion was disposed OF listened TO the reading
Of the report OF the special committee OF
pensions.
Reunions were held this forenoon at CAM
Roosevelt.