The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-09-23
lohn E. Gilman Named as the New
Commander in Chief Of the
Grand Army Of the
Republic.
PENSION SUGGESTIONS
proposition for 81 Per Day For Life
Win Probably Be sheIved on
Account Of Great
Cost.

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j.. Sept. 3D.
John E. Gilman Of Boston, for COM
mander in chief, and Rocheoter, N. Y,
for the next place OF meeting, was the
winning combination in the national
encampment Of the Grand Army of the
Republic.
Other officers elected were: SEN
or vice commander in chief, Charles
Burrows Rutherford, N. j.; Junior
vice commander in chief, William
James, Jacksonville. Fla: surgeon
general John L. Smith, Spokane,
Wash; chaplain in chief. Rev. Thom-
asF, Harwood, Albuquerque, N. NJ
The new commander in chief had
an easy time of it in his election, but
Rochesters selection as the next en-
campment has little string to it.
The veterans decided the encamp-
ment can go to the Empire state city
on condition satisfactory rates are
secured from the railroads, and IL in
the Judgment OF the executive of the
national council Of administration of
the G. A. r. the rates are not to his
liking the committee can select such
other city to which reasonable rates
can be secured.
Los Angeles, Denver and Spring
field, H.. were also after the encamp-
ment. while San Francisco invited
the veterans to the Golden Gate city
In 1915. When New Orleans heard OF
the latter invitation. a veteran from
The southern city said the encamp-
ment would also hear from New
Orleans before 1915, the year for the
opening of the Panama canai
The proposition of 81 day pension
Tor life doubtless will be shelved by
the encampment The committee on
pensions, which made It's report tc
the encampment decided against the
proposition on the ground it would be
100 expensive to the national govern.
ment. 1t was figured 81 day would
increase the pension roll more than
sioo,OO0,000 a year, and it would take
soo0,ooo,o00 in the next two years for
pensions. The pension roll now
amounts to s160,000000.
The report of the pension commit.
zee fayors the McCumber bill now in
congress, removing the restrictions
which bar women who were married
70 veterans since June 27, 1890, and
nave since become widows, from re
celying pensions. The BILL however
oars women who become widows with
IN three years after they marry a vet
eran.
IL the most influential members Of
'ne Grand Army OF the Republic car
prevent it. the present cncampment
VIII take no action on the matter oil
Pacing the statue of Robert E. Lee
IN the national capitol. Leading mem
aers OF the Grand Army declare they
10 not want to offend the soldiers oi
me confederacy.
Vol. Gilman, the new commander il
.uiel, was a member of "The Fight
ing Twelfth Massachusetts infantry
eniisting at tender age, after he hat
run away from home. smitten witt
.ne war fever. The colonel of hi:
Assiment was Fletcher Webster, sor
" lne iilustrious Daniel Webster, ant
uuihg his entire war experience he
e'Sea successively under Generals
rope Mcclellan, Burnside 'Fightina
soe Hooker and Meade. The blood
~. engagement of his regiment was
at Atlta' where 10 per cent of the mer
we're either killed or wounded. He
:, .as at the front OF the terrible fight
~, lug az Gettysburg. and only laid dowr
~, mS gun when one of his arms wat
:, o,owh off by a she'll Gilman is one
u y Inc original members of the G. A
w. having come into the organization