Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-03-16
State Encampment OF the Wis
cousin G. A. L. Opens at
La trasSe.
{ ommandership Fight Wakes
HOt-The CaEdi-
dates.
Mr.. Nelt0n's Annual Addrt SIS
-tCnditiOn Of he Order
Reviewed.


encampme1t of the department of Wis
consin G. A. r. opened here today
There are several hundred members Of
the order in attendance. The city pre-
sents Il holiday appearance. The sew
eral candidates for cOplmander-in-chief
Richard Garter, of DOdgeyille; Col. J.
4. WatrouS,of Milwaukee; Z. 4. Shores,
Of Ashland, and Sidney e. Tubbs. of
Superior, are on the ground and the
canvass for the high office is exceedingly
warm, although no bitterness is. mani
tested.
The encampment was called to order
by Communicating Chief Welton. His ad-
dress gave a review OF the work done
in the state during his term Of office, and
he continued:
The number Of comrades in good stand
ing December 81, 1891, was 1866; num-
Der reported December 81, 1892, was
1888; showing an apparent loss of 341,
or 4 loss Of JOG otherwise than by death.
Notwithstanding these figures" said
he, Il am convinced that the depart
ment is stronger today than at the com
of which / submit the following: Early
in the year | discovered Il serious and
growing evil existing in numerous posts,
which seemed to threaten their individ-
ual existence and to be menace to
the prosperity Of the department. I
refer to posts in which a large percent
age OF the membership has been per-
tn haTDnln From TO ll.S
in arrears for dues. AS the amounts
sncrea Sc these deiinquents gradually
cease attendance, and finally lose all
interest in the order. No one desires 10
see q cOmrade suspended, and the most
charitable leuiency has prevailed until
it has become a source Of diSSatiSfac tiOn
and an extra burden to the more faith
full. After giving this subject much
seriohus thought, it seemed evident to
me that as al fraternal admonition had
failed, heroic treatment only would
bring the desired reform. Acting upon
this conclusion such posts were advised
through general orders to take up this
question, and after having exhausted
all mildGr means, to act in accordance
with the rules and regulations at once,
remembering, however, that their action
should be tempered by spirit of char
ity and fraternity, and that no comrade
should be suspended who is unable to
pay his dues without injury to himself
or family. The above recommendations
have been quite generally adopted hence
the suspended list is larger than it other
wise would have been.
! AS will be shown by the assistant adj
jutant-generaPs report, the gain for
muster-in and reinstatement has been
; 1 ,O23; loss from suspensions and delin-
Quent reports is 1,025. In exchanging
the 1,O25 names of former comrades for
1,O23 live, active recruits, we believe we
have made good trade, and that the
department is ahead"
Commander WeltOn warmly advOcat-
ed the purchase by the state Of Camp
Randall A warm Endorsement was
given the veterans home.
The work of the w. r. G. and the Sons
of Veterans was favorably mentioned.
The habits of certain members in giving
! to newspapers reports of speeches and
proceedings of a post is condemned.
The enactment of a law providing for
flags in the public schools was urged.
The number of deaths during the year
was 235.
| The report Of the assistant adjutant-
general, J. II. Whitney, shows: New
posts mustered in, 4; charters applied
| for, s; posts delinquent, 3. Recon-
mendation is made that the charters of
posts 164 and 259 be revoked. The
membership report shows:
! In good standing December 81.