The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-08-23
W. W. BLACKMAR
Is Elected COmmander-in.
Chief of G.. A. r.
GOT 1T BY ACCLAMATION.
Denver Is Selected as the Place
for 1905 Encampment.
GOT 1T BY ACCLAMATION.
BUSINESS SESSIONS ENDED.
A Resolution Regarding the Proposed
FraternaI Convention of Survivors
of the Union and Confederate Arm
les was Laid on the Table.

of the Union and Confederate Arm
les was Laid on the Table.
Boston, Aug. 1S-The real business
of the Grand Army of the Republic
which is holding its encampment in
this city began yesterday with the
of the organization and the
business sessions of affiliated associ-
ations.
Between ], 300 and 1,400 delegates
were present when the annual conven-
tion of the Grand Army was called to
order in Symphony hall. The feature
of the proceedings was the reading OF
a letter from President Roosevelt ex-
pressing regret at his inability to at
tend the encampment.
Adjt. Gen. Partridge's report showed
that the members OF the G. A. R. in
good standing on June 80, 1904, num-
bered 2i6.261, a net loss during the
year OF 10.249. The number of posts
dropped during the year from 6,426 to
6,149. During the year ending June 80,
s100,594 was expended In relief. In
1890 the high water mark of member
ship. 409. .4sS, was reached. but in sue
ceeding years there was a falling on.
The loss by death in 1904 was 9.029. or
3.52 per cent, as compared with 5.4S6
In 1890, or 1.33 per cent
The most important matter which
came before the afternoon session was
a resolution referring to the employ
ment OF veterans by the government
after they reached the age Of 20 years.
According to proposed legislation in
the national house of representatives
an employe would retire after he
reaches that age. The encampment
adopted resolutions recommending
that veterans be exempted from this
provision
Col. Charles II. Mcconnell, of Chi
cago, senior aide on the stan of the
commander-in-chief, presented Gen.
Black with a diamond studded G. A. R.
badge. At the same time Mrs. Black
was given a framed testimonial con-
tanning verses repeated by Col. Nc
Connell In the presentation speeches
to her husband
A gavel and box made of historic
woods were presented to Commander
in-Chief Black by a committee from
the woman's Relief Corps and the
Grand Army.
A motion was adopted to meet at 10
a. m to-day for the election of officers
and TO name the place for the next en-
campment-
The first session of the national con-
vention of the Woman's Relief Corps
was called to order by the national
president, Mrs. Sarah d. Winans, In
Converse hall, fremont Temple. Mrs.
winans' address dealt mainly with pa
triotic instruction, which she said had
been the dominant work OF the year.
Jennie s. Wright, national secre-
tary, submitted her annual report 1t
showed the total number of members
in good standing to be 121 ,5S5; net
gain in membership. 2.540; total num-
ber of persons assisted, 42,459; total
amount expended for relief since or
ganization, s2,677. AIS; total amount
expended for relief for year, $172.749.
At the afternoon. session of the Wo-
mans Relief Corps convention Mrs.
Fanny E. Minot, of New Hampshire,
was chosen president
Col. Edward II. Haskell. of this city,
was chosen president of the United
States Signal Corps association
Resolutions advocating James Nc
Gee. of Philadelphia. for the position
| of pension commissioner In the event
of Commissioner Ware resigning
we're adopted at a meeting OF the
United States Manned Soldiers
league.
The 18th annual encampment of the
| Union Veterans Union was opened In
Chelsea.
| At the convention of the Ladies o
the G. A. r. the report of the treasurer
showed the disbursements during tbs
| year to have been $4,000.
Boston, Aug. 19.-Gen. Wilmon W
Blackmar, OF this city. was electe'
commander-in-chief OF the Gran,
Army of the Republic by acclamatioi
at the closing session of the nationa
encampment yesterday and Denver
Col, was selected as the place for tn
encampment Of 1905.
The other national officers electe'
were: Senior vice commander-in
chief, John r. King. Washington. L
c.; junior vice commander. George "
Patten, Chattanooga, Tenn: surgeo
| general, DT. warren IL Ming luuldu
apolis; chaplain-in-chief. Rev. J. L
Bradford, Washington. ID. c.
Later Gen. Blackmar made the fol
lowing appointments: Adjutant gen
, eral. John Z. Gilman. Massachusetts
quartermaster general. Charles Bul
, rows. New Jersey; assistant quarter
, master and custodian of the records
| Henry Holcomb. Pennsylvania: as
, sistant adjutant general, E. b. Still
t ings, Massachusetts.
The G.. A. r. convention was at
/ journed sine die shortly after o'cloc
: in the afternoon. The principal bus
; ness was the presentation OF resolI
tions declaring that any modificatio
of the voting franchise should !
along lines of intelligence and ntne;
and not along lines OF race and color
disappearing of the admission Of 6or
OF Veterans to secret q. A. R. NEE
a ings, and the laying on the table OF
resolution regarding the proposed fri
ternal convention OF tha survivors