Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-02-01
Commander Branch'S Address.
The Loss by Suspensions---the Policy
of Attack on PensiOns---GeneraI Com
ditiOn of the Department


The Loss by suspensions---the Policy
OF Attack on PensiOns---GeneraI Com
ditiOn of the Department
The council OF administration met Tues
day evening department headquarters be-
ing established at the Brooks House. The
council consisted of E. F. johnson of Is
land Pond, j. b. Scully of Burlington.
Barney Cannon, jr., of Bellows Falls. John
Lombard of Ludlow and j. b. Lorge of
Montreal.
The regular session of the encampment
opened Wednesday forenoon at 10 in regu-
lar order. Then came the roll call of Off
GERS, report of committee on credentials.
department officers reports, etc.
The Annual Address.
Department Commander Branch said
that when the honor was conferred upon
him year ago he promised TO give the
best efforts of the best year of his life TO
advance the interests of the order, and to-
day he was to give an account of his stew
ardship. He spoke in glowing terms of
the Grand Army, 1.-THE grandest civil or
ganizaton in the world He referred to
the fact that in Bratteboro was establish
ed the camp of instruction from which so
many graduated for more active service
along the lines.
The Losses by Suspension.
Referring to the losses in membership he
said at is a serious procedure to suspend
a comrade for non-payment of dues. and
ought always to be done only after thor
ough and careful investigation. There are
many comrades who were heroes, who
could charge battery, and feared no dan
ger amid the clash of arms, but have not
the courage to face the officers of the post
and tell of their inability or poverty
Doubtless the press of the times has driv-
en- many brave and gallant comrades on to
this list who are worthy the kindest con
sideration. 1t is probable that no other
society of like numbers can present so
good a showing in this respect. This is
evidence beyond the power of words at
testing the temperate life and high stand
ard of obedience to the laws of health
practiced by the veterans of the late war,
and denies the scandalous imputation that
the old soldier is an old bum
The commander referred with pride to
the showing Vermont made at the nation
al encampment at Pittsburg, where 70
were present Fifty formed in the line of
parade and by their general appearance,
correct alignment and soldierly marching,
easily captured the attention of the crowds,
who by continuous applause accorded them
especial honor
The speaker referred at some length to
the "cvilizing and halowing influence of
Memorial day
The Work Of the Relief Corps.
The Woman's Relief corps, he thought,
represented the best type of American
womanhood Every comrade should be
ready TO lend them a helping hand for by
SO doing he is helping our order. During
the dark days of the rebellion We could
scarcely have borne the burdens without
their aid and sympathy, and it is not easily
estimated even now, how much these 10y
al-hearted women are doing for us. They
strengthen weak posts and awaken sleepy
ones. Their deeds are those of charity,
love, comfort and peace
The Sons of Veterans should be encouI-
aged and sustained rs they are doing a
good work in teaching the generations r.