Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-03-29
G. A. r. ENCAMPMENT.
Extracts from the Address OF the De"
partment Commander.
The w. II. &. There. Too.


The members of Charles Il. Foster Post No.
~ of Lansing spared no pains in making
proper preparations for the reception of
their comrades.
At O'Clock procession of delegates and
visiting members, with two bands of
music, paraded through the principal
streets and then the encampment was
formally called to order in the hall OF
representatives in the capitol.
Past Department Chaplain GibbsinYoked
the Divine blessing and then Department
Commander Rutherford read his annual
report, from which the following extracts
are made:
Fully realizing the Importance of your
council of administration, I have called
them together four times since their cleo
ton and have Submitte TO them every i'm
portant question which has arisen during
the year. And | wish TO accord to them a
full share of any success which may be
awarded to our administration.
While tho number OF new posts estab-
iShed has heen lar below that of any pre-
viou year, the gain in membership, ,, l27,
Is very gratifying and tends TO show the
healthy condition of the order Only 1874
of our vast number have passed the valley
and shadow of death.
would recommend that every post in
the department lie compelled to procure
at least two copies OF the amended
rules and regulations, and an order file in
which all orders be fastened as soon as re-
celved, and that all be constantly kept in
the post room.
The present system of inspection in this
department renders thorough inspec-
tion, or anything like it an impossiblity.
| would call the attention of the encamD-
ment TO this fact and ask that it receive
your earnest and best thought. if indeed
il is thought best to have any inspection
Mt all.
The memorial day, fast becoming, il not
already, our nations sublimest holiday,
was solemnly observed | have no doubt.
But do know that only III posts report
ed to our chaplain.
Our finances are in n very satisfactory
! condition. While at the date of the last
report there was on hand the sum of
| S44G. 50 we have paid of the then outstand-
| ing department indebtedness the sum of
| SEQ. - which leaves the sum of g. 640.0l
! over and above the expenses of the cur
| rent year, with no liabilities except the
necessary expenses OF this encampment.
Two years ago comrade Il. A. Alger sent
! the department his check for 500 to be
! used in the payment of dues OF INDECENT
comrades who had been suspended. To
! use the money as the donor expected has
! heon found utterly impossible. Not know
| ing what TO do with it, put it at interest
| at six per cent, and the fund now
/ amounts 60 $500. What shall we do with
the Alger fund is the question now sub
| United TO this encampment.
| Another matter of very great moment
! 70 the department is the generous offer of
/ $4,000 made by Hon. L. w. Palmer, which
will be submitted TO the encampment in
due time, when all will become familiar
| with its details and take such action
after full investigation shall seem best
The march of this encampment TO st.
| Louis, Mo-, to attend the national en-
campment, in spite of rain, mud and mud
singing was triumphant from beginning
| 10 end
a very embarrassing question: What
sha he done with the numerous appli-
cations for permission to circulate petit
tions for aid! The prevailing opinion is
that each post has all il is able TO do to
attend to its own who constantly need
assistance.
Every member of my official and per-
sonal staff has always cheerfully respond
cd to any call for duty. From 5. V. ID. C..
| Cook all the way down, all have had work
10 do, and they have done il. A. A. G..
! Thorp has labored necessarily, and i
doubt whether another equally compe-
tent will be found who can do the work
of the department, which now requires
the whole time, for the amount, now al
! lowed for the services.
After returning his thanks TO many
comrades who have assisted him, the
grand commander closed his address as
follows:
40 nobler, truer body OF men than that
~ our comrades in the department of
Michigan as n whole ever existed. | have
received nothing but the kindest treat.
J rnent from all. While the duties have been
/ evacting and severe, having visited per
sonally and met face to face the comrades
! Of more than 100 posts, in addition to the
thousands have seen assembled at many
camps and reunions, it will always be re-
memhered as the most pleasant year OF
! nv life Let us remember the solemn, the
sacred duties which have called us togeth-
err here. Let us perform them in such a
manner that when we go hence we shall
| have no reason to regret that we came.
and fesl that not only our order but the
! country will reap the benefit of those no
! tie precepts of Fraternity, Charity and
! 7 ovaltv which we not only teach but prac-
| tice, whether we mingle with one another
or with our fellow citizens.
The report was referred TO the proper
/ committees. and then Assistant Adit. Gen.
J Thorp submitted his report showing the
following facts: Eighteen new posts or
Canized, 37l posts in all; total membership
! in good standing, 1883. Total receipts
for the year, $S,2SO.U; expended for char
| ity, s6.S iS.37.
| commander Rutherford then introduced
| National Commander Rea, who made a
brief address complimentary to the dele
gate and congratulatory to the entire
| department. the gain of membership in
| the department. OF hllcnlEdn DelnR proper
tionatslv one of the largest in America.
Judge Advocate Brown read his report,
which was entirely professional and of no
interest except TO members of the order,
! and which was impossible of condensation.
| Inspector-General Storrs, Assistant
| QuartermasterG General Rice, Chief Mus
tering officer Eber Rice Medical Director
| Brown and the Council of Administration,
through II. A. Parker submitted reports,
which we're referred to special committees.
When the encampment was called to
order on the morning of the 18th Vice
Commander Cook was in the chair, and
made an admirable presiding officer.
The business of the morning, though i'm
portant. was chiefly of q routine nature,
consisting chiefly of reports and other
matters of departmental interest only.
Thirty-five dollars were voted to buy a
badge for the retiring Department Com
mander, and then q vote of thanks to
| Charles p Foster Post of Lansing was
unanimously adopted.
Henry M. Duffield read areport from the
committee on soldiers home at Grand
| Rapids highly commenting the institution
and recommending the establishment of
| cottages at which married soldiers could
| entertain their families.
| The following communication was re.
| ceived from the Woman's Relief Corps:
SENATE CHAMBER,
LANSING, March 10, 1883.
The representatives of the Department
of Michigan, W. r. G. Auxiliary to the G..