The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-10
Gen. II. j. Stewart, of Pennsylvania,
Is COmmander-in-Chie Defeating
Gems. Black and McEIroy.
ANNUAL REPORTS ARE MADE
GEN. TORRANCE AND OTHER OFF,
GERS ADDRESS THE DELEGATES.
Report Of Pension Bureau Envestiga-
tion-Meetings of Auxiliary Bodies
Other Features of the Day.

WASHINGTON, Oct 9.-The Grand
Army got down to business to-day and the
encampment of the order besides hearing
an address from Commander-in-chief Tor
rance and reports from a number of OFF,
GERS and committees, elected a new head
for the ensuing year. The new commander
in-chief OF the G. A. r. is Gen. ]. T. Stew
art. of Pennsylvania, who was a leading
candidate for the honor a year ago. His
competitors to-day were Gen. John c.
Black, of Illinois, former commissioner
of pensions, and Col. John McElroy, of this
city. The name of Gen. Daniel Sickles of
New York city, was presented to the con-
vention, but he withdrew from the race.
William M. Olin, of Massachusetts, was
elected vice commander-in-chief, and
James NJ. Averill, of Georgia, junior vice
commander-in-chief.
Aside from the election of these officers,
the NEST interesting feature of the encamp-
ment was the report of the pension COM
mittee OF the G. A. II. This committee
severely scored the medical division Of the
Pension Bureau, declaring that it was
dead-line where were executed the claims
of veterans seeking pensions. 1t accused
the personnel of this division of approach
ing the reports of the examining surgeons
throughout the country with suspicion and
distrust and as made in bad faith 1t de-
nounced the reports that extensive frauds
were practiced in pension claims as abso-
lutely baseless.
The Womans 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,
new delegates to either of these organiza-
lions, attended army corps reunions in the
big tent on the white Lot or spent the
beautiful October day in sightseeing A
feature of the late afternoon was the dedi-
cation of the cornerstone of the proposed
memorial bridge to connect Washington
with the national cemetery at Arlington.
Secretary Root was the orator of the occa-
sion.
The army engineers stationed at the
Washington barracks to-day gave an ex-
hibition of their skill in pontoon bridge
building for the benefit of the G. A. r. visit
ors. Companies K. l. and NJ were assigned
to the work. In forty minutes they con-
structed a bridge $50 feet long, using regula-
ton service material, including adjustab
trestles and advance guard pontoons of
canvas. 1t was of such strength that a
battery of field artillery could easily have
passed over II. 1t was dismantled in con-
siderably less than the time required to
construct 1t.
In the afternoon there were reunions of
the Army OF the James in Grant tent, Six
teenth Army Corps in Sherman tent Twen-
tieth Army Corps in Sheridan tent, Nine
teenth Army Corps in Farragut tent and
the Seventh Army Corps in Meade tent.
In each an appropriate programme of ex-
ercises took place and addresses were made
by well-known officers in the civil war.
In Farragut tent tonight, standing side
by side, each recounting the deeds of the
armies which followed them, were Gen.
Daniel +. Sickles and Gen. James S. Long
street, both of whom faced each other on
the battlefield of Gettysburg. The wearers
of the blue. representing the survivors of
the Third Army Corps, gathered together
| tonight and told again the story of the
memorable conflict at Gettysburg. After
both Sickles and Longstreet had spoken
General Sickles told the veterans that they
| now had heard both sides and they could
| take their choice, which brought forth the
remark: 1--WE will take BOTH
Other reunions were held as follows
Seventeenth Army Corps, Shermant tent;
| Twenty-thiry Army Corps, Grant tent
| First Army Corps, Sheridan tent; Engineer
| Corps, Meade tent.
AT the Convention Hall reception tonight
| Secretary Root and Postmaster General
Payne were present and made speeches. as
did also Gen. S. S. Burdette. Secretary
| Root cordially welcomed the delegates or
behalf Of himself and extended greetings
| from President Roosevelt, who regretted
| his inability to be present. The secretary
| spoke OF Mr.. Roosevelt's deep interest an6
| welfare In the Grand Army and every.
thing pertaining to its members.