Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-20
COMMANDER IN CHIEF
NEW YORK G.. A. R. IS BOOMING
CORPORAL TANNER.

Corporal James Tanner OF this CITY has
been proposed as candidate for the posi-
tion Of c0mmander-in-chIef of the G. A r.
by the Department of New York c. A. r.
and an active campaign IN his behalf has
been opened The members of the Depart
ment of New York have issued circular
setting forth their candidates qualifca-
tons for the Office and a brief statement
OF how far he IS supported In CT. A. r. cir
cles. The departments of Virginia and
North Carolina. Arkansas, Texas Tennes-
see, Kansas. New Hampshire. Wisconsin,
Michigan and New York have pledged
their delegates to his support and a ma
Jorlty oS the delegates in seven other de-
partments have been pledged to Tanner
The Department Of the Potomac will cast
q Of its 30 votes In the national encamp-
ment for him. It is said.
The Tanner campaign was opened In
New York about month ago. when at its
annual euCampment the New York depart
ment adopted resolutions fudorsing the
candidacy Of Corporal Tanner and In
StruCting the delegates from New York
posts to the annual eucampment to vote
for him This resolution is repeated in
the circular the New York veterans have
sent out.
Life and Grand Army Career.
The circular also contains a brief resume
OF Corporal Tanners life and Of his Grand
Army career. He was born in Schoharie
county. New York. in 1914 and was edu-
Gated at the district school and In business
college. At the outbreak Of the civil war
he was a school teacher. He enlisted as a
private soldier at the age of seventeen
years and participated in all the battles OF
the Army Of the Potomac up to the second
battle Of Bull Run. where he was so Sc
verely wounded that il was necessary to
amputate both of his legs. He was a
clerk I'm the War Department here one
year and then returned 20 New York
where he began the study OF law while
clerk OF one of the Legislative committees
at Albany. He was admitted to the bar
in 1869 and the same year was appointed
to q Clerkship in the customs house at
New York. He remained In that Office
>!ght years. rising TO the position Of dem
uty collector. lie wuS appointed collector
for the city government of Brooklyn In
1877 and held that Office four terms. In
March, 1879, he was appointed commits
sioner of pensions and remained in Office
until October OF the same year. when he
resigned 10 practice law In this city. Cor
pOral Tanner appeared before the depart
ments as attorney for persons having
claims against the government and also
appeared before the committees of Con-
gress many times in the interests Of vet
Grams. lie was appointed register of Wills
of the District by President Roosevelt in
April of last year.
Corporal Tanner Joined the O. A r I'm
February, 1867, as a member Of the Lew
Benedict Post Of Albany In 1870 ne
Joined the Rankin Post of Brooklyn and In
1888 Joined the U. S. Grant Post of Brook
lyn. He was department commander of
New York in lS76-77 and for five years was
member OF the national committee on
pensions OF the G.. A. r. He was Judge
advocate general on the STATS OF Com
manders-in-chief John 9. Black and
George Weissert. During the time he was
department commander in New York Cor
poral Tanner was instrumental in pushing
to completion the movement for the es,
tabltshment OF a soldiers home in that
state. and since he has been in Washing
ton he has worked assiduously for the old
soidiers before congressional Committees.