Morning journal and courier., 1890-02-07
GRAND ARMY ErCAmPmRNr

attendance az the opening Oh JIG SssS0 JILL
in the Atheneum yesterday morn |
Ing. The hall was decorated with flags,
emblsms and other Grand Army trophies
The utmost enthusiasm for the Grand Army |
and ito memories was manifest by all of the
gray haired fellows who came from every |
quarter Of the state. GeneralAlger of Miohi- |
gan, oommander-in-chisf of the national de-
parsment, and his staff will visit the encamp.
ment to-day, Is will also Governor Bulkeley
and other state officers. The headquarters
Of the officers are at the New Haven house
and here were received yesterday by Depart
ment Commander w. 81. Pierpont, General
Jshn Il. Thatcher of Hartford, Warren Lee
Goss of Norwich and others. The council of
administration, composed Of Henry R. Jones
of post 70, New Hartford; George W. Coy Of
post 80, Milford; William q. Bentley of post
AZ, New London; 8. q. Brakeman Of post 20,
Birmingham and Henry D. Lees of post 48,
South Norwalk, held meeting at the Office
Of United States Marshal F. M. Lovejoy to
audit the accounts of the year at II O'Clock.
At one O'Clock the encampment was opened
by Department Commander Pierpont's an
nual address. He said that Notwithstanding
the stagnation In business, and the resultant
financial strinRency which has everywhere
partment is stronger, both numerically and
financially, as well as In that grander devel
opment which cannot be represented by
figures. At the last annual eucampment,
sixty-seven posts were reported with MEM
bership of 9, $40 in good standing, gain of
two posts and 10 members, In the face OF q
list Of losses by death, transfer, suspension
and discharge, far exceeding that OF any pre-
csding year. The gain in membership was
6es against 65s last year, but the losses show
ga a. against AT, an increase of thirty per
cent. Last year the balance in the hands
of the assistant quartermaster general was,
cash 81 800, supplies $3.50. II, total 81, 036 u.
To-day that officer reports, cash 81, 1857. A,
supplies 1904 80, a total of $2,562.44, while
-four posts falling to report values-foots
up the pleasant total of sic. 661.7l. He re-
ferred to the important changes of the last
legislature In regard to soldier legislation,
and to the annual visit TO the Soldiers home
at Noroton. A thorough inspection of the
Institution was made and he found much to
commend In the improvements which have
been made and are now In progress One
of the most pleasant features that he found
in his visit were six fine invalid "wheel
chairs" presented by the Woman's Relief
CORPS of the state, the money having been
raised by q per capita gift from every corps.
He urges upon every post to encourage this
organization and solicit their corporation In
ell work of relief. Two new posts were Or
ganizsd during the year, the Joseph r. Toy
post No. So at 6imsbury and the Henry w.
conclusion Commander Pierpont stated that
ninety.two comrades had died during the
year, among them being Senior Vice Depart-
msn. Commander George w. Keeler and
Fast Departns.t Commander William Berry,
to whom he paid most touching tribute.
Aa~fn Is~k~ IA
Thacher In his report states that the deaths
for the year have been largely 10 excess of q
year ago, being %. as against ~. He gives
the following record: Number of posts in
good standing, December 81, 1888. az; gain
daring 1889, 2; number of posts In gooding,
December. 81, 1889, 90; membership in good
standing December 81, 1888, 6,721; gain by
reinstatement, III. 1888; total 7,ss4. The
loss by death was %, by discharge IT, by
transfer, o.. by suspension 28a, by deIin
quent Sc, by dishonorable discharge 1, q
total of 544, leaving 9.s40 members.
Quartsrmaster General William E. Morgan
reported that 6fty-nine posts paid out for
charity during the year, 50, 607. 45-an in
last year. Nine posts paid into the "Grant
monument fund" during the year. $105.50,
making total In three years of $500 from
twenty-nine posts. The expenditures of the
department. during the year amounted to
a, 1853. 81, and the total assets ct the end of
the year to $2,562.24. The total
value of property owned by the posts
in this state is $l1e.se1. The
was $68,041. The largest fund is held by
Admiral Foote post of New Haven, aggre-
eating $13,773 Merriam post of Meriden
has fund Of $4,000, Robert O. Tyler post
Of Hartford 10000. Elias Howe, jr., post
of Bridgeport e9,503, Mansfield post Of Mid
dlstown $500. Henry G. Merwin post Of
New Haven 48S.0 "a. The regular post funds
on hand January amounted to $1S, 1856, Of
which Admiral Foote post holds $608. 40,
Henry Q. 4sIwin post $42.7l and Won Stein
wehr post $50 03.
Department. Chaplain Hiram Eddy said
there are at present 780 graves which have no
hesdstones. Tho largest number Of un-
marked graves, los, is reported from Bridge.
port. Hartford stands next with . total Of
80, reported by Robert o. Tyler post. w.
w. Perkins post of New London reports Al !;
Palmer post of Winsted, 40: Wsdhams post
Of Waterbury, 81; Isbell post of Naugatuck,
30; Stanley post of New Britain, and Thomas
NJ. Rsdshsw post of Ansonia, 30 each. Henry
@. Merwin post of New Haven reports z, and
the two other New Haven pasts none. There
are three unmarked graves at East Haven,
snAo0 ~ Vooo"ANuBos oAo oAo ~ I~oHtu IA
ven.
Department Inspector T. ]. Gill Of Hart-
ford presented report showing the relative
standing Of the various posts. II was very
complimentary to Admiral Foote post, Henry
O. Hsrwin post and General Won Steinwehr
post Of this city. The work in several of the
posts 10 not properly performed, the officers
and men not properly uniformed. The
prospects for the future Of Custer post OF
Sandy Hook are unfavorable, those of Edwin
d. Pickett post Of Rldgefeld are mot bright"
and only one, Admiral Foote post of this
city are "most excsllent."
Yesterdays doing ended with the reading
Of the reports. To-day will be held the an.
nul election of officers. A department
commander to succeed Gen. w. a. Pier
pont of this city will be elected. There are
three strong candidates for the position,
Col. John @. Broaoh OF Middletown, John
N. Brewer, OF Norwich and Selah ]. Blake
man Of Shelton. Mayor Wallace Miles of
Aeriden IL also spoken Of. For senior vice
commander, George 8. Buxton of Norwalk
IL q. promising candidate. Oilers are Henry
N. Fenton Of Danbury, and B. e. Smith Of
Willimsntic.
Pleasantries OF the Eveninx-Ad-
dresses by Mayor Peck, General Pier.
pont, Judge Fem, Commander
Strickland and Others.
The Atheneum was filed to its full