Omaha daily bee., 1909-08-13
SAMUEL VAN SAINT
HEADS VETERANS
Minnesota Man Elected Commander
, in-Chief Of Grand Army Of
the Republic.
MRS. BERRY HEADS RELIEF CORPS
Des Moines Woman Defeats Mrs.
Harris Of Kansas.
ST. LOUIS COMES TO FRONT
indications that Next Encampmt.
Will Go to Mound City.
ADDRESS OF COMMANDER NEvIUS
Gain in MembershiP for the Year IL
over Twenty Thousand ana Death
ROIl for Year Exceeds Ten
Thousand.
Des Moines Woman Defeats Mrs.
Harris Of Kansas.
ST. LOUIS COMES TO FRONT
indications that Next Encampmt.
Will Go to Mound City.
ADDRESS OF COMMANDER MENUS

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. l2--Samuel II
Van SAINT of Minnesota was elected COM
mander-in chief Of the Grand Army Of the
Republic this evening.
Van SAINT won over William A. Ketcham
Of Indiana by a vote of 5S7 to 1856
Mrs Jennie l.. Berry OF Des Moines, Ia,
won in fight for the national presidency
Of the woman's Relief corps. After three
ballots she was elected over Mrs. Belle
Harris Of Kansas by a vote of 21s to co.
The Grand Army's order of business did
not provide for the election of officers
today, but the increasing departures of
delegates warned the encampment that an
early choice would be necessary to secure
a full expression OF the will of the ma
Jority.
In addition to Commander Van SAINT,
the following officers were elected:
Senior Vice Commander-w. NJ. Bostaph,
Ogden. Utah.
Junior Vice Commander-Judge Alfred
Bers. Bristol, Conn
Surgeon General-W II. Lemon, Law
renee, Kan.
Nominations for chaplain were made,
but the vote upon this position was post
poned owing to the lateness of the hour
The election of chaplain and selection Of
the next meeting place went over until
tomorrow.
A poll indicates that the chances Of St
Louis for the forty-fourth encampment
are much brighter. Atlantic City the
other aspirant does not want the en-
campment in August and the veterans are
losth to change the month of meeting
No business Of public interest except the
annual address OF the retiring commander.
Henry M. Nevius and the election of Of
ficers was transacted at today's execu-
tive session.
Nevius Lands the south
Commander-in-Chief Nevius. in his ad-
dress TO the veterans said. In part:
II was treated with great cordiality upon
my visit In the southern departments and
In Atlanta, Ca, where the Grand Army OF
the Republic held joint meeting with Gle
ment A. Isveiis oniIpapder-in-ehief of the
United Confederate Veterans. and his or
eanlEation. met the confederate veterans
again in Denison. Tex. 1 met them also
at Birmingham, Ala, and l am satisfied
that, were 1t not for those who did not
participate in the great struggle. but who
are still laboring to keep alive the lost
cause there would be no difficulty in
cementing the bonds of union between the
north and south.
'On December 81, 1907, the members in
good standing of the Grand Army of the
Republic numbered 225, l57, and there were
13,4Ss on the suspended list. There were
remaining in good standing an December
81, 1903, 22O616. and $3.50 remaining sus-
pended. The number of comrades reported
as having died between December 81. 1907,
end December 81 1908, was 10,124. Our
gains during the fiscal year by muster,
transfer, reinstatement and by gain from
delinquent reports total H.lb4.
Investigation will show that there have
been many bills introduced In the national
congress called pension bills asking for
relief for the veterans on different lines
and no prospect of any of them becoming
a law. The Grand Army OF the Republic
standing united, has in past years secured
and placed upon the statute books such
pension laws are in force and will con-
tlnue to ask for such relief as shall seem
TO be equitable and just.
The number Of survivors of the civil
war at hte close OF the last fiscal year was
a9O sS6. The number OF survivors on the
pension rolls May 81. 1909. was 5s6,4l1. The
amount appropriated for pensions during
the year was SIG, 100000.
The amount appropriated and spent
during the year ending June 30, 1905 in
the national and state homes for the sup
port OF old and needy soldiers was. 81. 49,
36i."
The speaker told OF difficulties en-.
countered In securing round trip rate oi
one hAhS 10 the Salt Lake City encamp'
ment. saying;
You will observe, comrades. that have
labored earnestly and zealously with tn,
great railroad corporations In the interest
Of the Grand Army OF the Republic fol
q reasonable rate to and from our en-.
campment for the men who from 81 to '6
bore the brunt OF battle and saved tn,
union-one and indivisible-and that tho
great railroad corporations which girdl,
IL with their tracks have no feeling o.
patriotism and make no concession to tn,
comrades Of the Grand Army OF the Re
public"