The Portland daily press., 1896-02-19

$3.50 total loss II membership for 1895,
n.
This, comrades, is a very gratifying
| showing when we take into consideration
that we have lost by death III during the
year. In making comparison with tbs
other New England Departments I find
that Maine has sustained smaller per
centage of loss than either of the other
five departments named.
OFFICIAL VISITS TO POSTS PAID
BY DEPARTMENT OFFICERS.
1t will be remembered that last year
Department Commander Gilman reported
that he had visited some one hundred
posts in different sections of the state,
and recommended that that course be
pursued by his successor in office. /
have not been able, by reason of business
engagements which could not be neglected
or put off to make that record good; but
so far as possible l have answered all
calls upon the department commander
and have visited many posts throughout
the state l have also called to my assist
ancc 5. V. Commander Goodwin and j.
V. Commander Jefferds, and they have
nobly responded and visited many of the
posts which have been assigned them.
Inspector Simmons has also done good
work in personally inspecting many of
the posts in Knox, Lincoln and Hancock
counties. AT this time in the history of
the Grand Army | consider this to be of
great Importance in order TO keep Up he
interest. and for the purpose of en-
couraging the smaller posts to hold TO
thoir organization and keep up the good
work of the order. From the experience
hrio Aad hot ~,
selection of department. officers they
should be so far as possible comrades who
are 80 situated as to give much of their
time to this honorable work for the good
of the order. To visit each post separately
would require some six months time,
and TIE department commander would
be required to travel by rail, steam boat
and stage more than IL, 900 miles to make
the grand rounds.
Commander Green reporst in compli-
mentary terms to the noble work per-
formed by the Woman's Relief Corps and
Sons of Veterans.
BATH MILITARY AND NAVAL Or
PHAN ASYLUM.
As one of the trustees of the Home for
the past year. visited Bath at the April
meeting of the board and was highly
gratified to find the institution under
such good and judicious management as
seemed to prevail in every department
At that time there were some 40 children
at the Home, % girls and "a boys. All
seemed contended and happy. Since 1893
by act of the legislature the scope of the
Home has been enlarged, and at present
not only Includes the orphans and half
orphans of those who served on the quota
of Maine during the rebellion but in
cludes the descendants of such and also
to the orphans of soldiers and sailors of
those who served on the quota of other
states but are now residents of Maine.
Most, Il not all, who have been admitted
to the Home the past year have been
grandchildren of the veterans. Comrades,
this is an institution which should and
does come very near to the hearts of the
old soldiers, and it is proper that the de
partment of Maine should be represented
on it's board of managers, and should
have the hearty and sympathic support
of all the loyal people OF our beloved
state. From the treasurer, H. A. Dun.
can. Esq, i learn that the state appropri-
ated at its last ession 3d. 500, srsceiyed
from Mrs. Lizzie Perkins $1,000, and from
other sources the sum of $780, Sc, making
the total receipts $11 $50. &c. This morey.
as appears from the report of trustees,
has been carefully and judioiously ex-
pended in maintaining the Home and
making such needed and long delayed re-
pairs as was absolutely necessary for the