Morning journal and courier., 1880-01-29
Grand Army of the Republic.
Annual Meeting of the State Encamp- ment-Address of Commander Fowler
 GanRn ESrn

Annual Meeting of the State Encamp-
 ment-Address of Commander Fowler
 The Camp Fire Last Evening.
 The annual encampment of the Department of Connecticut, Grand Army of the Republic, convened in Grand Army Hall, this oity, yes terday afternoon at o'clock. Delegates were present from every post in the State. The
 encampment was called to order by Depart
 ment Commander Fowler, of this city. After the ceremony of opening and calling the roll
 of delegates Commander Fowler delivered his
 annual address. In opening he referred to
 the fact that the twelve months since the last
 meeting of the department had been busy
 ones in the history of the order. They had
 met to receive and listen to the annual reports
 of the officers and to take action looking to
 the best interest and welfare of the depart
 ment The reports would show the depart
 ment in an exceedingly fourishing condition,
 and with prospects for the future very bright.
 Two new posts had been chartered, viz.
 Wadhams Post, No. 49, of Waterbury, and
 Robert O. Tyler Post, No. 50, of Hartford,
 and the net increase in membership over all
 losses was shown to be 376. So far as it had
 been reported, it was found that the sum Of
 $462. Al had been expended for charitable
 purposes. With one or two exceptions all
 ROSI6 III LLo OcRhEt4ucAb Anu bO0A SA6AbOA by
 at least one department officer for the pur-
 pose of inspection and instruction, and the
 results had been very gratifying. The by laws of five posts had been examined and re ported upon, besides considerable other busi-
 ness relating to the government of posts. A report was made of the business transacted at the national encampment at Albany in June
 last, that particularly interested the comrades of the department of Connecticut. The deci- sions of the judge advocate general in refer ence to certain questions submitted by posts in the department were given. In closing thanks were returned to the officers and members for the uniform courtesy extended, and their generous encouragement and sup port in the work of the order.
 Following the commanders address, came the reports of the senior vice commander, junior vice commander, assistant adjutant- general assistant quartermaster general, in- spector medical director, chief mastering officer, chaplain and the council of adminis- tration. The report of the assistant quarter master general showed that there was over $20O in the treasury, which is 8 considerable l increase from last year.
 The various subjects embraced in the com | mander's address, and reports of officers were referred to appropriate committees, after which recess was taken.
 | In the evening camp fire was held under l the auspices of Admiral Foote Post of this | city, at which the delegates were present. T. E. Gilmore, of Admiral Foote Post, presided. | The exercises opened with music by the Choral Orchestra of this city, the selection l they gave being received with much enthusi- asm by the comrades Then followed ad- | dresses by the delegates, each post being l called on in numerical order from number one | to number fifty.
 The addresses of the delegates showed that l there was an increased interest among the old veterans throughout the State in regard to the | nr6cr and fhnt all fha incraQainr | their membership. Among the best speeches | of the evening were those of Judge Beeri | of Elias Howe, Jr., Post of Bridgeport | Gen. l.. A. Dickinson of Robert O. Tyler Pos | of Hartford, and Comrade Saxon of Wad ham Post of Waterbury. Between the speech es excellent music was rendered by the Choral | orchestra, also duets on the guitar and har l monica by Messrs. White and Halliday. ! very amusing musical rehearsal was given bJ Messrs Fairchild and Nichols, in which one | personated an old fifer who had lost | his arms, and while the other held the fife tc | tho mouth of the man without arms (apparent i lyJ he furnished the wind and the other did | the lingering, which produced the old famil- | jar airs. They were heartily encored an6 responded to the qualification of all present. After the addresses were concluded the l comrades were invited to partake of Ira | tions, which consisted of an abundance o1 baked beans, hard tack" hot coffee anc | fruit. After all had been satisfied the pipel | were lighted and the remainder of the even ing was passed in telling stories of life 1T camp and field. The evenings pleasures
 were most heartily enjoyed by the veterans. This morning at 9 o'clock the encampmen will visit the State Hospital in body and pay
 their respects to the old soldiers who 1T 1 that institution as wards of the State. Int ! session for business will commence at 1( 1 o'clock, and Il o'clock is the hour fixed upor | for the election of officers The final adjourn ment will take place this afternoon.