Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-13
RANKS GROWING THINNER.
1872 DEATHS REPORTED AMONG THE
OLD SOLDIERS IN 'e5.
Annual Reports Of the Ofioers of Vermont
g. A. X. Presented at Rutland Tues
day-want Memorial Day
Better Observed.

Bellows Falls. VT, Feb. 1O.-The annual
reports of the various officers of the de-
partment of Vermont, G. a. r., to be SUBJ
mitted at the annual encampment at Rut-
land, have many things OF interest. The
number of posts in good standing in the
State is 1l2, with a membership OF 1891.
During the past year one post, at Bakers
field, having membership of TO- has dis
banded, owing to the scattered residence
of its members. and an application was
made for a charter for one new one during
the year, but 1t was refused because of the
contiguity of the others. The number of
members deceased in the year is 49, while
In 1894 1t was but 76, an increase of over 60
per cent. There have been Ill new MEM
bers added, but with other changes, re-
movals, ETC., 1t leaves the net loss of men,
bership the past year POS.
There has been expended for relief by
the different posts in the year sl659.3S.
Seventeen general orders have been issued
by this department and 10 from the nation
al department. The total expenses of the
department for the year have been slS63 OF.
Forty-three posts have relief funds
amounting to $3953.13. The funds in the
hands of quartermasters amount to sS106. 50
and the total value of other property
owned by the post is $24.5O9.75,
over 5000 soldiers graves were decorated
by the posts of the State last Memorial
Day, 1000 comrades participating in the
ceremonies. One hundred and hfty-one
graves of veterans throughout the de-
partment are unmarked by proper head
stones and seven were buried in the pot
ter's field
The Soldiers Home at Bennington has
100 inmates, the national government pay
ing 800 per year toward the expenses OF
each, and the home Is shown TO be in the
best of condition under the present eff
cient management. Department Comman-
der Cannon's report shows that his time
has been almost entirely devoted to the
work of the department during the year.
he having written over 400 letters. The
department was represented by over 15C
/ members of posts and relief corps at the
national encampment at Louisville. He
speaks Of the increasing observance OF
Memorial day. of the State having made IT
legal holiday and suggests 1t fitting that
all veterans use their influence for furth-
er legislation prohibiting horse racing. ball
games and sports of all kinds on that
day, pre-empting it for observance in O
manner more fitting to the spirit of the
day. He commends the energetic work OF
the relief corps in the different posts and
urges more corps in those which do not
already have them, to the end that the
objects of the organization be more fully
carried out.
The reports OF each officer are complete
and voluminous, showing great care in
preparation, and interest in the organi-
cation, particularly that of the retiring
department commander, Barney Cannon
jr., but showing efficient work upon the
part OF all subordinate officers. They are
printed In pamphlet form for distribution
and contain SO pages of closely printed
and interesting matter.