St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-02
Grand Army Republic.
THE STATE ENCAMPMENT.
The Reports of Successful Years yvorl


of the Republic, convened in St
Johnsbury Tuesday and Wednesday.
A full report of the proceedings of the
encampment and of the camp fire on
Tuesday evening will be found on the
outside pages. The address of De-
partment Commander p. d. BIodgett
and the reports of the various depart
ment officers showed the results of a
good years work and that the state
department is in all respects in good
condition. The substance of the adj
dress and reports is given herewith.
DEPARTMENT COMMANDER BLODGETT's
ADDRESS.
Commander Blodgett reviewed the
work of the year in comprehensive
address, making many practical and
pertinent suggestions as he went
along. He spoke of the fruitful year
just passed the development of the
principles of the order, and of the
strength of the ties that unite the com
rades of the late war. Then followed
a definition of the Grand Army idea,
which he declared was not the mtre
seeking of genial cOmpaniOnship and
meeting together for social intercourse,
seeking only such for membership who
have a good standing in society, and
who will contribute to the general
fund of respectable fellowship, but to
take into the ranks every man who
has an honorable discharge. II he is
poor, if unfortunate, if he has put him
self in a way so that he has no friends,
he is just the man the doors of the
Grand Army open to receive. Such
being the work the Grand Army is do
ing, we all say God bless it.
Referring to the reports of depart
ment officers Commander BlOdgett ex-
pressed the opinion that the greatest
number of membership has not yet
been reached in this department that
there are veterans in many towns who
are still outside of the Post room, but
who should be gathered in. Two new
Posts have been chartered during the
year, and ut least two new charters
will be called for in locations where it
will be expedient to grant them. The
number suspended, in most cases for
non payment of dues, is not so large as
last year, but is still too large, and
comrades were urged to look after this
class of members, who do not and
sometimes cannot look after them
selves. 1t was also recommended that
every Post introduce and keep up the |
practice of inviting different comrades |
to communicate in their own way some
kind of army experience, thus adding |
to the interest of meetings and to the |
fund of war-histOry material.
Contributions to the Stannard Me-
mortal fund had not been as large as
hoped for, though some small Posts
had done more than their part. Re-
ferring to the department inspectors
report the Commander recommended |
that this encampment provide that
there shall be one department inspec
tor and two deputy inspectors who
shall be also mastering officers, to in
spect the Posts in the department. 1t
was also urgently recommended that
some means be devised to keep and
save the records, papers and property
of the department. The trip to the
st. Louis national encampment came
in for brief mention. Speaking of the
4 Ill ~, i
recently visited, he congratulated the
comrades that so good home has
been provided for the homeless vete-
ran, and was so we'll presided over by
The Woman's Relief corps, and the
Sons of Veterans received special at
tentiOn, the latter having increased in
membership in this state from 100 in
1882 to 600 in 1888. The address clos
ed with appropriate reference to Me-
mortal day and to the roll of honor,
special mention being made under the
latter head to the deaths during the
year of Coils. A. B. Jewett and John B.
Mead. The assembled comrades were
given a royal welcome to the Dist en-
campment and the address was we'll
received.
ASST. ADJT. GEN. MAYS REPORT.
Assistant Adiutant General Dennis
E. May reported considerable gains in
membership during the year. The
number of Posts in good standing
January 1887 was 98, chartered during
the year, 9, total, 100. Members in
good standing Jan. 1887, 1903 gained
by muster, 525; by transfer, I02; by ;
2S4; aggregate, 54I4.
Loss by death during the year, 80 by
discharge, 20; by transfer, ll8; sus-
pension and other causes, 365 aggre-
gate, sol !; number in good standing to ,
date 1853. Nominal gain during the {
year, Oil, net gain $50. Gen. May +
deprecated the prevailing custom of
suspending so many comrades, thought 81,
with proper effort many might be re-
tanned, and specially urged the i
of many Posts already
formed. No Post has surrendered it's
charter during the year, and no serious
questions have arisen in regard TO I
Posts or individuals connected there
with.
There have been issued during the
year ID general orders, six circulars
and 56 sneeial orders The corraS-