Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1906-08-24
DIVIDED OVER CANTEEN.
ONLY OTHER CONTEST AT MINNIE
APOLIS CONVENTION IS OVER
WIRZ MONUMENT PROJECT.
MEMBERSHIP INCREASED.
Death List Outshadowed by Additions,
Say Official Raports-May Decide to
Increase Per Capita Tax.

Increase Per Capita Tax.
MINNEAPOLIS, Mimi. Aug. 10
The business sessions of the Grand Army
OF the Republic commenced early today
by 1900 delegates. The most important
questions are:
Abolition of the canteen from the old
soldiers homes.
Proposed erection of monument to
Henry Wirz by the women of the south.
Split on Canteen Question.
On the question of the canteen, the
delegates seemed evenly divided. On the
question of a monument to Wirz. there
is on all sides Il most bitter feeling of
opposition, but strong faction exists
which is of the opinion that the erection
OF monument 10 such Il character Us
Wirz is not seriously contemplated by the
southern women and they are OF the
opinion that it is beneath the diguity OF
the Grand Army to take official cUgnl-
Zance OF the matter at this time
The report ofCommander-ln-Ch Chief Tan
ner made no mention of the canteen
question. but considerable space was Civ
ell to Wirz, and the recommendation was
made that the Grand Amy enter dig
nitied and emphatic protest against the
erection of the monument.
G. A. R Grows Despite Death.
Notwithstanding the fearful inroads of
death upon the comrades of the Grand
Army of the Republic, Mr.. Tanner de-
clared. the organiza ton today is 300
stronger than at the encampment i'll
Denver last year. The commander bit
terly arraigned those who, posing as
the most eminent men of the nation,
had proven false to their trust in various
ways, but declared that among all such
the name of no Civil war veteran could
be found.
He said it is strange that any living
man who ever wore the blue is not Il
member of the organization and he
urged the celebration of the fortieth an
niversary by the bringing i'll of new men,
bers. Discussing finances he said that
the amount turned over to his quarter
master by the administration after MAX
ing certain payments, was 1919. The
utmost economy. however, was necessary
in its expenditure until the Blackmar
legacy of $1,000 was received.
Mr.. Tanner then discussed the neceS-
sity for increased pensions for army
nurses and spoke of the aid rendered Ia
members of the G. A. Il. on account of
the earthquake and fire in San Fran
cisco.
Graves of Confederates.
The communicating chief reiterated his
views expressed in general orders re-
garding a proper observance of Me
mortal day, and said that as the result
of his recommendations concerning the
graves of COnfederates buried on north
ern soil. he had received a number Of
touching messages from mothers of the
South whose sons are buried i'll north
ern soil, pouring out their appreciation
of the spirit embodied in his order.
These, lie said. were too tender and
sacred to be heralded publicly, but if he
ton he would have felt amply justified
for the recommendations he made.
Reference also was made to his recon-
mendation that the Sunday preceding
Memorial day be duly observed as Me
mortal Sunday in order that the growing
custom in many places of regarding
memorial day as mere holiday for
games and amusements, may be checked.
He expressed qualification at the gen
eral observance of Flag day following
it's official recognition by the Thirty
ninth encampment. After urging upon
members to always uncover upon
hearing the national anthem, Comman-
der-inChief Tanner dwelt at length on
the subject of patriotic societies,
auAlHafy TO ana III sympathy with the
G. A. r.
Membership Increases.
The total membership of the Grand
Army is declared in the report of Adjt
Gen. Tweedaie to be 235. SOB, an increase
of 1865 during the last six months. The
losses by death for the year ended De
cember 81, 1905, We're 92O5 or 80 per
cent of the total membership. In the
preceding year the loss by death reached
exactly the same percentage. He sug-
gested that an increase in the per capita
tax from 312 to cents would increase
revenues $500 yearly, which is need
full.
In addition to t. A. Martin of Wash
ington, Col. G.. w. Keeting of New Or
leans, died of the heat yesterday during
the parade. Elijah BlasdelI of Spring
Valley, and Henry Huffcutt of Wau-
paca, were among the Wisconsin men
Frustrated. There have been five deaths
so far. Col. Keeting was an examiner
and appraiser in the customs department
at New Orleans. He enlisted in Mas
sachusetts regiment and made an excel
lent record being promoted to leuten-
ant-colonel of colored troops.
Gen. Macarthur Is Chief.
DIES MONIES, Ia, Aug. 16.-The So
ciety of the Army of the Philippines late
SeateIudS eiecleu the 1oIio"LHS Officers:
Commander in chief-Maj.-Gen. Arthur
Macarthur, U. S. A.
First serior vice commander-Capt. II. A
Crow, Pennsylvania.
First junior vice commander-Lieut. Z. J.
Hamilton, Michigan.
Surgeon general-Maj. W. S. Conkling
Des Moincs, Ia.
Quartermaster general-Lieut. c. &. Lew
is, Colorado.
Judge advocate-M. j. O'DcnncIl, Kansas
City. Mo.
Next years meeting will be at Kan
sas City.
Union Veterans Elect.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, Aug. 1G.-The
Union Veterans elected the following OIL
GERS:
Commander In chief, Richard L. German
re-elected unanimously; first deputy com
mander, Maj-Gen. George w. Wentworth,
Haverhill, Mass; second deputy, Gen. II.