The National tribune., 1893-01-19
FROM THE BAY STATE.
Doings of Interest to Veterans and Their
Friends.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Some time ago
| somewhere made the suggestion that the Grand
Army might largely increase its membership by
arranging admit veterans into the order in Posts
10 be formed in towns where not a dozen
veterans could be found, the present form of or
! ganzation 10 be modified in snch that
Posts could be formed. My attention has been re-
Gently called TO this proposition anew. and it seems
/ 10 Inc our great fraternity could do nothing in its
later years more creditable Than would be the
| movRl OF any barrier which now deprives thou
sands OF veterans of the enjoyment their due
Take this Department into consideration for a
moment. There are in round numbers is5 towns
! where no Post exists. Out of this number perhaps
30 TO day do not contain half dozen veterans: per-
lIaps the old soldiers of % more are conveniently
affiliated with other Posts. There would yet re-
main 100 towns where such organizations might be
! formed. 10 be differed say by four comrades ill.,
stead Of IL. in larger Posts, and the obligation
/ the only mastering required.
The Time has come 10 throw overheard the ritual
stic portion of the work If necessary, rather than
/ allow il 10 become obstacle in the path of any
veteran who wishes TO join us. What lie wants is
fraternity, not ritual, and let away enough
of it in some way SO that lie shall be admitted TO
the fold.
But this is his side in brief; there is another the
towns side. Every one of those LIS towns, if posi-
bic, should have its Post of veterans object
lesson TO the living. Can not help them 10 this
favor. especially II III so doing we thereby help
ourselves?
The Ladies' Aid Society auxiliary 10 the Sol
diers' Home. Chelsea, held its annual meeting
Thursday y. M, Jan. .. 1t was noteworthy as
being first of all the last meeting which Mrs
Micah Dyer was 10 preside, she having been Presi-
dent of this splendid body of workers more than
10 years second, by the presentation 10 her OF an
elegant mahogany cabinet filed with costly china;
and, third. by the unanimous election of Mrs.
Austin c. Wellington, of Cambridge, her sue.
eessor. Profound regrets felt at parting with
Mrs. Dyer. who had deeply endesred herself to
every one of this body of 100 workers The eec-
ton of Mrs. Wellington 10 ill the vacancy insures
the services of very energetic, competent woman
leader. The Treasurer's report presented by
Mrs Eben Howes showed an unexpended balance
OF ST. 1912.
For few years past Boston City Council has
voted 10 each of the ctyfs I6 Posts and TO four
five other veteran organizations an appropriation
OF $500 Last year an attempt was made by some
of The larger Posts to have The money apportioned
on the basis Of graves decorated and other ap-
propriate Memorial duties DONE but change
was made The leaven, however, has begun 10
work, and il IS said there is TO be an oyerhauling
of the matter by the City Council, aud fairer
distribution made the current year.
Post 2G0, OF Boston, is hustler. But recently it
set out 10 organize n Relief Corps aud presto, The
thing was done and membership of Is or more
secured in a twinkling. Last Friday Camp of
Sons instituted, and in the evening triple in
siallation Of the officers Of the three bodies took
place. Col. j.. i. Loring serving Installing OFF,
Ger. assisted by Comradc Wilbur +. Lane. Mary
q. Deane Department President. W.RC.. installed
the officers of ihe Corps aud Past Capt T. r. E.tes
the Sons. The Post has also rented and fitted up
IN good taste a building which gives them a sepa-
rate hall for each organization. They in for q
happy year.
Post 15 of Boston. publicly installed IFS officers
the 9th. At the close Comrade George w. Powers
presented the retiring Commander (BartIetU with
sword and badge. Department Commander
Churchill was present and spoke. Comrade Theo
dore J.. Kelley, the oldest living Past Commander
in tie Post, installed the officers.
The llth Mass. Battery Association held its an
nual Reunion al the Luney House the evening of
the ID enjoying banquet, hearing speeches and
electng the following officers: Pres, James w
Harvey; Nice-Pres., Albert j. Brock, Edward J..
Louther; Treas, George I. Roberts Sec Theo-
dore A. Plimpion.
There joint installation at East Boston the
9Th, the officers of John A. Halves Post 49, and
Corps being installed the latter by Past National
President Sarah L. Fuller.
Fall River had joint installation Of its Post
Corps and Camp. Department President Mary
G. Deane installed the Corps The Silver Anniver-
ssry OF Post SO the ed instead of the 2ih as
announced.
One of the prettiest working small Posts In the
Department is Post lG5. of Duxbury. Its opening
at regular meetings includes the bringing in aud
salutng Of the colors and their work Is admirably
done.
Post IS, of Uxbridge, will have a Campfire Jan.
81
Comrnde Fred 7. IIawley, Past Commander of
Post 30, Maiden, has joined the lengthening pro-
cession Of veterans who are willing, not 10 say
anxious, 10 serve the Department as lis Junior Vice
Commander for lS93-B, Boston.