Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-10
THE G. A. R. ENCAMPMENT.

THE G. A. r. ENCAMPMENT.
Gen. T. J. Stewart, of Pennsylvania
Elected Commander-1n-Chi
WASHINGTON, October 9.-The Grand
Army got down to business to-day and
the encampment OF. the order, besides
hearing an address from Commander
in-Chief Torrance. and reports from
number of officers and committees, elect
ed a, new head for the ensuing year. The
new commander-in -chief Of the Grand
Army Of the Republic is General 7. J.
Stewart, of Pennsylvania, who was d
leading candidate for the honor year
ago.. His competitors to-day were Gene
raj John c. Black. of Illinois. a former
3 COMMISSIONS of Pensions, and Colonel
John NIcElroy, Of this city. The name
of General Daniel E. Sickles. of New.
York city, was presented to the conven-
ton, but he withdrew from the race. The
vote was: Stewart 467: Black, 272; Nc
Elroy. 49,
William M DIN. of Massa chusetts. was
elected vice-comma der -in-chief by vote
of 421. to 326 ford l.. Smith. of Ohio. and
James NJ Averill Of Georgia.: junior
vice commander-in- Averill receiv-
ed 567 votes, and l.. c.. Way. of Florida,
81.
Pension ONCE Report.
Aside from the election of these officers.
the most interesting feature of the en-
campment was the report of the Pension
Bureau Committee of the Grand Army of
the Republic. This committee severely
scored the medical division of the Pen
sion Bureau. declaring that it was
dead line, where were executed the claims
of veterans seeking pensions.
~ i,of h.
tiers of Veterans, and the Ladies of the
Grand Army Of the Republic also met in
annual convention to-day.
Thousands of veterans and their wives
not delegates to either Of the organlza-
tons attended army corps reunions in
the big tents on the White Lot. or spent
the beautiful October day in sightseeing.
A feature Of the late afternoon was the
dedication of the cornerstone OF the pro-
posed memorial bridge to connect Wash
ington with the National Cemetery at
Arlington. Secretary Root was the ora
tor Of the occa sion
Resolution by Eugur Allan.
WASHINGTON, D. c., October AT
tho session of the Grand Army Encamp-
ment to-day, resolution, introduced by
General Edgar Allan, of Virginia. was
adopted, expressing the grief of the en-
campment over the death OF President
Mckinley, and it's regret over Presi-
dent Roosevelts indisposition.
a Commander-in-Chief Torrance read his
annual address. and reports of other
officers were read. In his address,
General Torrance devoted consd-
cradle space to consideration of the
status of the ex-Confederate soldier, re-
peating in spirit his plea of a month ago
for the manifestation of goodwill and
brotherly kindness toward the late adj
versaries of the members of the Grand
Army. He said he had been prompted in
making that appeal by the belief tina,
such consideration would tend to bring
still closer together all parts of the coun-
try in the bonds of common citizen
ship and there We're already. he added,
evidences in the responses received from
the southern States that he had not mis-
calculated. Indeed. he said, with but two
exceptions, the entire press of the coun-N
try had commended the spirit Of the
letter. Continuing on this point, he said:
1T is not expected that the Grand Army
Of the Republic, as an organizat ton, will
embark in the building of homes for SOL
diers North or South, but in no possible
way can the greatest fraternal Orga MIA
ton in the world more' becomingly crown
its. labors of love in behalf of it's own
membership than by extending the hand
of helpfulness to their fellow-country-
men. against whom they were once ar
rayed in deadly strife. The most disas-
trous results OF a civil war are the ami
.nosities and bitter feelings engendered
thereby, and I am convinced that one
Of the most patriotic services we%can rem
der our country is to earnestly aid in re-
moving every barrier that separates or
estranges the people. The victory at APP
pomattox will yield imperfect fruit if we
do not win the. hearts as well as the flags
tI.a, -1,n A 11roin
of hearts as we'll as of hands is indispen-
sable to an dissouble union of indie
structible States.
THE Grand Army of the Republic has
nothing to fear. It is not trammelled by
political creeds, nor embarrassed by sec
tartan controversies. and in the dis
charge Of my duty. neither my heart nor
my judgment would consent TO return to
you the great, commission committed to
my trust one year a so, without voicing
the noble sentiments which i know ant
mate all your hearts, and rest conf
dent IN the belief that no influences or
conditions north or south can success
fully construct or maintain sectional
line that will prevent the manifestation
Of the most kindly feeling and cordial
good will by act as well as by speech.
between the surviving veterans of those
who wore the blue and those who wore
the gray.
Complaint of Pension Office.
WASHINGTON. October 9.-Among the
official documents presented to the en-
cncampnlent of the Grand Army of the
Republic, which met here to-day, was the
report Of the committee appointed last
year to investigate the administration of
the Pension Office by the then Pension
Commissioner, Hon. Clay Evans. Speak
ing Of the results of their. inquiry into
special complaints. they say that many
Of these complaints were without merit,
but that on the other hand many merl-5
torious claims had been thrown out.
From "a personal Investigation" they
say. we are convinced that scores or
claims are rejected every. day hat should