Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-06-25
PORTLAND, June "a.

PORTLAND, June "A.
The 10Th annual encampment of the.Grand
Army met at City Hall this morning at |
o'clock, with large attendance, The en-
campment was called to order by Comman-
der-in-Chief Kountz. Prayer was offered by
Chaplain Shanafelt. The committee on Gre
dentials reported that 724 delegates were en-
titled to seats, as follows: National officers,
5 !; past national officers, 3l council, 80;
Arkansas, 6; California, l5; Colorado, IO;
Connecticut, Is; Dakota, 8; Delaware, 10;
Florida, 6; Gulf, 6; Illinois, 20; Indiana, %;
Iowa, "a; Kansas. 27; Kentucky, 8; Maine,
23 Maryland, 10; Massachusetts, 81; Mich
igan, 20; Minnesota, IL; Missouri, IA; Ne
braska, II; New Hampshire, 81; New Jer-
sey, 2l; New Mexico, Z; New York, Al ;
Ohio, So; Oregon, 8; Pennsylvania, 81; Po-
tomac, II; Rhode Island. II; Tennessee and
Georgia, 6; Utah, 6; Vermont, I6; Virginia,
l6: Washington Territory, 8; West Virginia,
Z; Wisconsin, 20. Total, 724.
The reading of the list of delegates was
omitted. Commander-in-Ch Chief Koun,z then
read his annual address, in substance us fol-
lows:
Comrades-In calling to order our Nine.
teenth Annual Encampment, greet you as
the representatives Of that grand and patri-
otic army which accomplished more for the
advancement of civilization and the rights OF
men than any other army in the history of the
world. l also greet you as the representa-
tives of an organization which is today ac-
complishing more to relieve the distress and
| sufferings caused by the war in which you
we're engaged than all other associations CON-
bined. Four years ago Commander-in- Chief
Wagner reported a membership of nearly
| 10000 comrades. Our hearts rejoice today,
and how much greater cause we have for con-
graduation. to find that the order now en-
rolls membership of more than 285, COO of
the survivors of the Union army.
On March 81, 1884. SO departments report
ed 1923 posts and ,595 members. March
81, 1885, 38 departments reported 5026 posts
and 269, 1884 members. The report of the
adjutant general shows our membership to be
2S7,637. During my term, embracing a
period of about ii months, there have been
added to the rolls by muster, 66. .729, by rein
statement and transfers, 90, 1855, a total in
crease of 81 ,064. The Grand Army has been
passing through a ripening process and is to-
day stronger and healthier than ever before.
In an organization of this character a certain
number OF losses BY suspension are to be ex-
pected, but it is submitted that the very large
number of 1892 reported by the adjutant
general as suspended during the year, is due
IN great measure to the negligence and in
efficiency of post officers who fail to dis
charge the duties imposed upon them bv the
rules and regulations and their official obli-
cations
Our finances are in excellent condition in
comparison with last year. Our profit from
the sale of badges has been less, yet after
paying the two items of unusual expense, viz I:
Sl0l2 for printing and for the distribution of
the report of the pension committee, ordered
by the last encampment, and Sl948 for can
non we have on hand cash balance Of Sl5,-
224. go, being gain of Sl926. Atleast $40,
900 of the balance on hand should be invest
ed in safe municipal or other securities, that
will yield larger annual earning than we
are now realizing
The following Departments have been vis-
tied during the year: Maine, New Hamp-
shire, Vermont, Massachusetts,. Connecticut,
Rhode Island, Delaware, MARYLAND, Penn
syivania, Potomac, New York, New Jersey,
Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio Indiana,
Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Min
Utah, California. MontafYa, Oregon, Wash
ins.on territory, the Gulf, Missouri, West
Virginia, Kentucky. This is the largest
number of Departments ever visited by any
commander-in-chief. have also met posts
in Wyoming and Nevada. and have travelled
more than 1000 miles. The only Depart
ments not visited are those of Florida, Arkan-
sas and New Mexico. Everywhere, in the
east and west, in the north and south, have
received the most cordial greetings, for
which take this opportunity to express my
| heartfelt thanks.
| The question having been raised As to
whether the late DR.. B. F. Stephenson OF
| Springfield, ILL.,. was really the first mover
in the organization of the Grand Army of the
Republic, it 10 deemed by simple justice to
his memory. - we'll n To hia family and