The Portland daily press., 1888-02-10

How to prevent the great losses by suspen-
sion, which despite every effort seem to be
on the increase, is still as far from solution
as ever. | can but reiterate the words of my
predecessor. that he will be benefactor in
deed that shall devise some method to RENE
dy this evil.
! am glad to say that there has been a
marked Improvement during the year in
making out and forwarding the quarterly
reports, although there is yet great chance
for improvement. / have made special eff
forts in this direction and have written sew
eral hundred letters correcting errors, max
ing suggestions, etc, and without any eXcep-
tion have received prompt and courteous
replies indicating an earnest desire on the
part of post officers to comply fully with
rules and regulations. The first two quar-
tiers the report was delayed but few days,
and the fourth quarter was made out and
sent in on time being the ninth ON the order
of receipt at national headquarters.
While the correspondence Of this Office has
been very large during the year, all orders,
circulars and other matters from national
headquarters, and orders, circulars, ETC., is
sued by you have been promptly forwarded
to commanders of posts and others, and all
letters and inquiries answered with as little
delay as possible.
There have been issued during your adj
ministration general orders, 2 circular let
tiers and 81 special orders. There has been
mailed to each post of the department, ros-
ter of the department, copy of proceedings
of the 20 annual encampment, and ! of each
has been mailed to each member of the staff.
to each department of the G. A. r., and to
all others entitled to receive Them
In connection with the Semi-annual En-
campment was Instructed by you to take
charge OF the printing and distribution of
tickets which was attended to, nearly 1000
tickets being sent to the different posts in
the department. This entailed a large
amount Of Labor owing to the failure of COM
rades to report sales and make returns, yet
the success OF the encampment amply repaid
for the work performed, the net receipts be-
ing $468S3, having fully convinced the trus-
tees of the Maine State Fair of the ability of
the q. A. X. to draw larger crowd there
than they had ever obtained before, and the
railroad people that it is for their interest to
make us low rates. and satisfying the COM
rades that yearly reunion at this place
would be good thing for the posts and the
department. am satisfied that if commit
tee is appointed in good season the coming
year, that they can profit by the experience of
this year and with more time at their disposal
double the receipts. AS nearly as can be es-
timated over 5000 comrades were in attend
ance, many of whom remained the second
day.
The Council of Administration has been
called together three times during the year.
at Portland May 4th, at Ellsworth July 4th,
and at Lewiston August 18th.
The resignation OF Inspector Hill just be-
fore the annual inspection was to begin has
made it necessary for me to assist Comrade
Sellers so far as possible in making appoint
ments, &C., which L have gladly DONE
Acting under your instructions early in
February. opened correspondence with the
Past Department Commanders relative to
the charter of this department none having
been received with other property of the de-
partment. Not finding any trace OF such
charter wrote to National headquarters re-
ceiving in reply letter from Adjutant Gen.
eral Gray that no record of any charter hav-
ing heen granted this department was In eX-
istence, that the records of the early days of
the order were destroyed by fire in Boston
several years since, that the names of the
original applicants for charter were lost no
records of such applications having been
kept until within few years. Several 9TH
er departments being in the same position as
regards a charter and the expense of engoss-
ing new charters being so large it was
deemed inexpedient to issue new ones.
No serious disagreements have arisen in
any OF the posts during the year, there hay-
ing been but two or three complaints made
to these headquarters, and these were it is
believed amicably adjusted; but one case
of court martial has been reported, the find
ings of which were approved by you.
The new national countersign was sent to
commanders of Posts December II, in season
to reach all by Jan. !, 1888.
While the increase in the number of Posts
has been small a very gratifying gain in
membership has been made, the Department
is now in a flourishing condition with good
prospects for the future. When the fact is
considered that many of the Posts are few in
numbers and scattered over miles of terrific
ry their zeal and fidelity to the principles of
the order are best shown by the good work
accomplished bythese Posts. Many of them
will be disbanded only when no comrades
need the helping hand and the last comrade
shall have been mustered out.
When one year ago you honored me by APP
pointing me as Assistant Adjutant General
of this Department, it was with many mis-.
giyings that accepted the position. have
tried to do my duty faithfully as ! under
stood it, and If have erred it has been the
fault of the head and not of the. heart. / de-
sire to return my sincere thanks to all the
officers and comrades of this department for
their uniform courtesy and generous treat
ment during the year and to the members of
your staff with whom have been associated
for their ready assistance at all times so gen.
erously given me, and in laying aside the
honors and duties of this position do not
forget that to you for your confidence in me
and for your constant help and advice which
has lightened my labors am under lasting
obligations, with the hope that my earnest