The Portland daily press., 1888-02-10

heSpeclIully submitted,
In fraternity, charity and loyalty,
b. +. BEALs,
Assistant Quartermaster General.
cHAPLAIN's REPORT.
To the Department of Maine, G. A. r.,
Commander and Comrades:
| have the honor to submit the following
report of the observance of Memorial Day,
May 80, 1887:
Returns.
One hundred and forty-seven Posts have
reported, several of these not until blanks
were sent at four different times, accompan-
led by letter. Only three Posts in the De-
partment not heard from-Andrews No. Al,
at Harmony, Chas. A. Warren No: 73, at
Standish, and Knowlton, No. 149, at Masar-
dis. A large majority Of these posts report
ed promptly soon after Memorial Day, c0nse-
quently they are fuller and more correct l
draw the inference from reports sent in late
that the details of memorial exercises, mon
eys expended, services held, etc., are not
kept on the records-as they ought to be- |
received returns from the following Posts
the next day after Memorial Day. r. w.
Mullen Post 3s, J. Z. Harris Post GO, John
yer Post 126. The Adjutants of these Posts
have my thanks for their promptness Two
reports, one from the Adjutant and one from
the Commander, were received from Posts
%, GA and 49,
Sunday Services
On Sunday morning preceding Memorial
Day one hundred and sixty services were
attended by the Posts of this Department.
Sermons were preached, appropriate to the
day, by 142 clergymen; comrades attending
these services in a body, 1852. Thrilling
music was provided by the churches where
the comrades were invited to worship, and
many of the churches were beautifully decor
ated with flags, bunting, lmottoes, emblems,
flowers, etc.
Memorial Day.
IL
251; graves decorated, Sis, less than last
year. Some posts did not report. All the
posts reported have placed flags and various
emblems on these graves, such as wreaths.
crosses, anchors, bouquets and evergreen.
Only one post did not use flowers. Monu-
ments visited and at most ali Of which there
were impressive ceremonies held ~. Most
of these bear the names of fallen comrades.
Tablets and memorial trees were also Wis
tied There were saeos sOi graves never found
graves decorated than last year. Number of
comrades who took part in the services of
the day, 6,3S6.
Services.
There were 200 services held in halls,
churches and cemeteries. Music was fur
40 choirs or quartettes. Orators of the day,
1885, Other speakers who 0fficiated, Al. On
ly Al of all this number who gave addresses
charged for their services, and 90 did not.
fIlby-ScNtu MtIt anu 20 WtIt uOb.
Most all posts prefer soldiers. A large num-
Der of these speakers are highly recommend
ed; most all gave good satisfaction. | will
give list of those recommended into the
hands of my successor that he may assist
posts that may apply to him. Quite num-
Der had my assistance last year, and already
| have letters asking me to recommend
speakers for next Memorial Day.
Increased Interest.
All except few posts that are remote and
in thinly settled localities report that
greater interest was taken by the people
generally than ever before, with fewer signs
ofidesecration. Nearly all the services were
attended by the citizens in large numbers.
The children took part in the services and
in decorating graves with As posts, public
schools 81, Sunday schools AZ. In most cases
these bodies of children went in the process
sions. Town officers and city governments
that took part as bodies 26, military COM
panies 20, civic orders %, fire companies 8,
Sons Of Veterans %, Women's Relief Corps
so.
Contributions.
Money contributed from Post treasures,
$l,2l5S4 by cities and towns, $4,33o; more
than last year, $79S; raised by subscription,
$27910; from other sources, $109.44; total
amount raised and received, $5,944.3S; vast
ed, will any one say? Never was me ney
more proitablyl expended Our country is
stronger and we are all richer and happier
because of this expression of loyalty to the
memory of those who died for ue.
Expenditures.
Speakers and their expenses 1888. 9S; flags,
S429.9O; flowers, .$245.9S; music, $l,771 10;
other expenses, for speakers, teams, print
ing, decorations, ETC., 81, 1874
Delinquent T0tcns.
The following towns where we have Posts
failed to make appropriations: Mschias,
Casco, Thomaston, Union, Buckfield, Mon
mouth, Ellsworth, Waldoboro, Newcastle,
Lubec, New Gloucester, East Sullivan,
Brooks, North Arson, Appleton. Kittery,
Gastha Mapsst0tnS snna Abbot Wnd
sor Monroe, Bingham, Patten, Bradford,
Presque Isle, China.
Remarks.
The teachers and children of Auburn
furnished the flowers for Burnside Post.
One Post spent only % cents. think the
town ought TO come to the rescue.
The children of the Bath Military and Ma
val Orphan Asylum took part in the lnemori-
IL commanders to whom blanks are sent
out would at once deliver them into the
hands of the Post adjutants, l think we
should be sure of prompt returns Adlu-
tants have in several instances sent TO me Tor
blanks.
Funds are being raised in several towns
for monuments. G. +. Littlefeld. Esq,
who gave the Grafton at Rockland for Post
ed it to the monument fund. A good
thing for other Memorial Day orators to do.
Comrades of Post 81, at Bridgton, visited
% buIying places; and Post So Of Cornish,
sent details to "a burying places, travelling
altogether distance of 90 miles.
Our lamented Governor Bodwell, whose
name and loyalty all comrades VIII remem-
Der only to love and honor, accompanied j.
b. Hubbard Post 20, and entered heartily in
to the services of the day.
Closing.
In closing this, my second report on the
annual observance of this, our hallowed day.