The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-06-22
P. o. S. Of A.
The National Session in Portland.

| Inc delegates to the seventh national con.
ventlon Patriotic Order Sons of America, met
IN Temple OF Honor hall at 10 o'clock yester-
day morning, John S. Reeder, national presi-
dent, in the chair. In the absence OF certain
ofhcers others were appointed to fill their
places. The roll was then called and the fol-
lowing officers responded:
National President-John S, Reeder, Ohio.
Maine. ''N'
vania.
National Inspector. A. Head, Psnnsyl-
vania
National Chaplain-H. A. Jones, Massa-
chusetts. ' -"'''''
National eant-at-Arms-S. j. WoetAv.
pennsylvania
National Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms-F. J..
Spies, Pennsylvania,
Past National Presidents-J. X. Helms and
r. H. Stees, Pennsylvania.
State Commanders-A. j, Butler. Ohio. r
+. Pritchard, Maine
District Presidents-C. D. Starbird, Maine:
d. H. Chapman. New Jersey.
The National President then made his an
nual address.
The reading Of the reports of the National
Secretary and National Treasurer followed:
The report of the treasurer showed that the
number OF camps in the order aggregate not
less that $50, with a membership of 20 900,
pennsylvania leads the column, having IT'S
subordinate camps, and 1900 members, and
an an aggregate treasury valuation of $780, 200
IL me equity for benefits last year was about
$1,000. The Mortuary Benefit Fund is
operated on the principle of life Insurance.
the amounts at death paid being $500, 81 900
anu $1,000. The order is in excellent eondi-
tlon everywhere and the prospects very fatter-
ing. There is one commandery and three
camps in Portland, and seven camps-including
Portland's-in Maine.
The reports were all accepted
Ihe next business was the election of officers
and the following were chosen for the ensuing
year:
National President-I. H. Mcdonald, Port
land.
National Vice President-C. P. Welle.
Master of Forms and Ceremonies P.
Hendley, Ohio.
National Secretary II cnry J. Stager, Penn
sylvania.
The convention then adjourned to after
noon.
In the afternoon the proceedings were de-
voted to work on the ritual.
F. B. Worth, New York, was elected
National Treasurer.
j. A. Head was presented with magnih-
cent gold badge by the National delegates for
his arduous duties on the Pacific coast. The
badge is valued at $3.50.
In the evening Forest City Commandery,
Commander Farnsworth, assembled at the
Preble House in full regalia and escorted the
National Camp to Congress Hail. Here an
excellent supper was provided by Martha
Washington Circle. After full Justice had
been done to the supper an address of welcome
to the delegates was made by Past National
Chaplain B. F. Pritchard, followed by Presi-
dent Mcdonald on the part of the Martha
Washington Circle. Responses were made by
the National officers.
This morning the usual session will take
place. In the afternoon the various camps of
the city will assemble at P. O. S. of A. hall on
Plum street and march to X. of Fl. hall on
Exchange street where the National Camp
and Forest City Commandery will be received.
The line will then be taken up in the follow
ing order:
Marshal
Charles e. Littlefeld.
Forest City Commandery-Commander A. l.,
FarnSwOrth.
National Camp.
Camp No, President d. W. johnson
Camp No, president Noah knights,
Camp No. 3-Presdent b. Reed.
The members will all be attired in the rich
regatta Of the order and the route will be
down Exchange to Middle streets, to Market
Square, to Congress to Pearl streets, to the
boat, thence to Chebeague, where jerks will
furnish a splendid clambake.
1t is not probable now that the Maine State
Camp will be instituted until Thursday morn
ing