Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-03-23
G. A. r. ENCAMPMENT.
Extracts from the Address Of the De-
partment Commander.
The w. Il. a.. There. Too.

buttons, ribbons and small American hags
f~esignated the old wearers OF the blue.
The members Of Charles 4. Foster Post No.
AZ of Lansing spared no pains in making
proper preparations for the reception OF
their comrades.
At / O'Clock a procession Of delegates and
visiting members, with two bands OF
music, paraded through the principal
streets and then the encampment was
formally called 20 order in the hall OF
representatives, in the capitol.
Past Department Chaplain Gihbsinvoked
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, / have called
them together four times since their cleo
tlon and have suhmitte 2 10 them every I'm
rortant question which has arisen during
the wear. And wish 10 accord TO them a
I'M share OF any success which may he
awarded 20 our administration.
While the number or new posts estab-
'ishei has leen ar below that OF any pre-
viou ve1r, the gain i'm membership. D l21,
i very gratifying and tends 20 show the
healthy condition Of the order. Only l94
OF our vast NUM- er have passed the valley
- NlANA I'll " VI FANA
would recommend that every post i'm
the department le compelled 20 procure
ut lea : two copies Of the amended
rules and regulations, and an order file in
which all orders he fastened "a soon as re-
calved, and that all be constantly kept in
the post room.
The present svstom of inspection in this
deuartmcnt renders q thorough lnspec-
ton. or anything like IL an impoSsibility.
J would rall the attention OF the encamD-
ment % this fact and ask that n receive
your earnest AMI best thought, if indeed
II is thought best 20 have any inspection
at all.
The memorial dav. fast becoming. if not
already. our nations sublimest holiday,
was sOlemnlv observed have no doubt.
But do know that only ia posts report
ed 70 our chaplain.
Our finances are in "A very satisfactory
condition. While al the date OF the last
report there was on hand the sum of
sac ~. we have paid Of the then outstand-
inc department Indebtedness the sum Of
60, 90. which leaves the sum Of Si.6i0.0i
over mi above the EXPENSES OF the cur
ront wear. with no liabilities except the
necessary expen>e Of this -encampment.
Two years ago comr-de r.. a. Alger sent
the deuartment his check for 500 10 he
used in the payment or dues OF lndlgent
comrades who had been suspended. To
use the money rs the donor expected has
been found utterly impo.sihle. Not know
ing what 20 do with IL. put II at interest
az six per cent. AMI the fund now
amounts to $3.50. What shall we do with
the Alger fund, il the question now sub
mitted TO this -encampment.
Another matter OF very great moment
10 the department il t'e generous offer Of
$1,000 made by Hon. 4. ". Palmer. which
will be submitted TO TIE -encampment in
due time, when All will become familiar
with it, details and take sue action a
after full investigation shall seem best.
The march of this encampment % st.
800 " I'll a-. 80
campmant in spite Of rain, mud and mud
elinging, was triumphant from beginning
10 end.
\ very embarrassing question: What
sha be tone with the numerous appli-
cations for permission 20 circulate peti-
lions for aid The prevailing opinion is
that each post has all Il Is able 10 do 20
attend 10 its own who constantly need
assistance.
Every member Of my official and per
soma stat has always cheerfully respond
Cd 10 any call for duty. From =. Y. D. G..
Cook all the way down, all ave had work
10 do. and they have done H.. \. \. O..
Thorn has labOred necessarily. and /
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
. ~ lA'A NVlAAAiAtNANA'A 1914 AHo NNN "a
follows
20 nob'e-. truer body Of men than that
~ our comrades in the department Of
MICHIGAN as a whole ever existed. | have
received nothing but the kindest treat
lent from all. While the duties lave been
ovactinc and severe, having visited per
sonauv and met face 20 face the comrades
Of more than 100 po~tS. in aid tion 60 the
Thousands 7 have seen assembled AZ many
camns and reunions, il will always be re
memhored as the most pleasant year Of
my lie Let us remember the solemn. the
sacrel duties which have called us togeth-
or here. Let u perform them an such a
manner that when we 20 hence we shall
have no reason 10 regret that we came
arl zee that not on V our order but the
country will reap the benefit Of those no.
lie urecepts of Fraternity. Charity and
rovaltv which we not only teach but prac-
tics. whether we mingle with one another
or with our fellow citizens.
The report was referred 20 the proper
committees aud then Assistant Adit. Gen.
Thorp submitted his report showing the
following facts: Eighteen new posts or
cani2ed. 81 posts in all total membership
in good standing, 2l,313. Total receipts
'or the year, SN,2S0.d; expended for char
itv. SIS 81.
commander Rutherford then introduced
National COMMANDED Rea, who made a
brief address complimentary TO the dele.
ratn and congratulatorv 10 the entire
department.. the gain OF membership in
] me iNfATIiHellI 0i AllfillEhn nflllE IIDUOI-
tIon atalv one of the largest In America.
Judge Advocate Brown read his report,
which was entirely professional and of no
interest except 20 members Of the order,
and which was impossible of condensation
Tnspector-General Storrs, Assistant
Cu-artermaSter General Rice, Chief Mus.
tering officer Eher Rice. Medical Director
rrown and the COun N OF Administration,
through II. a. Parker, submitted reports,
which were eferred tospecial committees.
When the encampment was called 10
/, order on the morning Of the 18th Vice.
Commander Cook was i'm the chair, and
, made an admirable ure .idinv officer.
= The business OF the morning, though i'm
portant. was chiefly OF n routine nature.
consisting ch ely Of reports and other
matters Of Departmental interest only.
Thirtv-fve dollar, were voted 20 buy n
; badge for the retiring department Com
mandnr. and then a vote Of thanks %
Charles u. Foster Post Of Lansing was
unanimously adopted.
Henry W.. Dufield real report from the
committee on soldiers home at Grand
d, Rapids highly commenting the institution
and recommending the establishment OF
cottages NJ which married soldiers could
r entertain their families.
Tho following communication was re
4 - 80. a.. NInvunnHa h.ffaN NHAwV.as