Morning journal and courier., 1891-02-11
THE STATE ENCAmPmENT


 Now Being Held in Meriden-A Large Attendance and Many Prominent c. A. R. Men Present-RepOrts and Addresses-About the Camp Fire Concluding Exercises To-Day.
 MER1DEN, Feb. 10. = Fairer weather could not have been chosen to-day, in spite of the threatening outlook last even ing, for the twenty-fourth eneampment, department of Connecticut, G. A. R., which is being held in this city. This is the second time that Meriden has had this honor, the former being just ten years ago. The sncampment will continue through until tomorrow night. The city has been increased by about 500 in its size by the delegates who have come to attend. They began arriving in the morning early and all through the day each incoming train nent among the arrivals were Commander in Chief W. G. Veazey and wife of Yer mont; l.. s. Emery of Washington, D. o., adjutant general, and Attorney T. W. Tal- madge, also of Washington, D. O., aid-de- camp, both on General Veazey's staff.
 At 10:3O o'clock this morning the coun- cil of administration, consisting of s. G.. Blakeman of Birmingham, ,Ebenezer Bishop of Putnam, H. E. Bachelor of Milford, G.. I. Buxton of Norwalk, D. E. Soule of Mil ford and the state department officers, held it's session in the Delevan opera house. The most important feature of the meet ing was vote recommending that the quartermaster general furnish bonds of $, 900, anc er that the per capita tax of thirty-two cents remain the same as last year and that 600 copies of the journal of proceedings be printed for distribution. A number of committees were also ap- pointed, to whom were referred the various reports of officers.
 There was large crowd present at the opening session proper of the encampment at o'clock in the afternoon and by this arrived. The New Haven contingent numbering nearly 40 men come up on the 1855 and were escorted promptly to the opera house.
 The decorations of the opera house were tasteful and profuse. The session was devoted chiefly to the reading of the ad dress of Commander John c. Broatch o1 Middlerown and the reports of staff off cers. The reports show that the past yeal has been one of progress and prosperity The official reports of the department show l 69 posts, with membership of 6,946, { net gain during the past year of 10t members The total gain during thu 1 year was 699, againss 663 the previous year, while the losses have been 59; against 544. The balance il the hands of the assistant quartermaste general was cash $2, 413.34; supplies, ,$458. 65; total assets, $2, ,S72. IS. The pos funds reported were $ss, ,7s4.3s; relic funds, $5a, ,616.12; post property othe than above and exclusive of real estate $26, ,668; making total of $109, ,867. 36. an, real estate valued at $12, ,607. The amour expended for relief during the year wa S, ,939. 10. The woman's relief corps de partment has forty-two corps with mem bership of 2,2s6. They have expende for relief during the year cash $1 ,497: 4 turned over to posts up to the fourt quarter $337.64 making total of s2, 571. .61.
 | During the exercises the committee az pointed waited upon General Veazy an escorted him to the house. His appear ance was the cause of much applause He made short address which was ( great interest to his hearers.
 He spoke of the pleasure it gave him be present at the occasions and went on t give 8 report of what he noticed at his rt | CouL f1S1L tO w dbll1uSGOu, Wu6I0 u6 W0L to look into the matter of pension delays He was much pleased, he said, to find ths there was at present marked improve ment in that department. At present mol than double the work is being done ove one year ago. They are now getting or pensions at the rate of from twenty-thre 1 to twenty-fv thousands per month, whe1 two or three years ago it was at the rate not over 60, ,000 year. He also describe his visit to posts in the west, where tl devotion on the part of the members the organizations is of the most marke ; character.
 The meeting soon after adjourned unt ) the grand camp fire, which was held in Il
 evening. In the meantime the "Vetl
 wandered about the city seeing the sight
 One of the most interesting attraction was the collection of war relics, on exh bition in Merriam Post hall.
 The camp fire in the evening was pleasant event, and the program whic l had been printed in yesterdays CoUR11 , was successfully carried out. Coffee ar l light refreshments were served. Fl To-day the main work of the encam ment will be done; the election of office
 etc., and the encampment will end in u
 afternoon.
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