Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-09-12
VETERANS MEET.
Annual Encampn,ent at st. Pa,
Minu., Opened.

|
Minn., Opened.
ST. PAUL. MINI, Sept. 9-rhe opening
session Of the 30 h national encampment, q.
A. r., WAS held in the auditorium. which is
the largcs, hail IN st Paul
The hall had been profusely and hand
,omely decorated 10y the citizens committee
and from over bank Of rare tropical
plants the following prominent people
gazed down upon sea OF upturned
faces of our countrys saviors; general
|. n. Walker and stan, general Mason,
U. s. A., who is chairman OF the citizens;
committee, himself soldier and comrade
mayor Doran of st. Paul. past commander
ln-chief Bcath, past commander r-in-chief
| Weissert. past commauder-in-chief Lawler,
! O. c. Jones, chaplain, and many others.
When commanicr-in- chief Walker stepped
forward To preside he receive an enthusi-
astic ovation, the eucampmcnt rising en-
masse. while it cheered his speech, which
was IA classic uttorancc, fitted to live along
side of the gems of c. A. r., literature given
TO the order ana world at large by major
| Merrill when he occupied the highest posi-
ton within the gift of the order.
The address Of commander-in-chief
| Walker was rs follows
Comrades: Last year the Goth national
encampment met of the first time south of
the beautiful river in the city of Louisville.
| The hospitality OF the people Of kentucky
1
the cordial reception extended to us on that
occasion. 1t is u land of brave, generous
hearted hospitable men and women. | send
| them your cordial greetings and best wishes
for their continued prosperity in their old
| Kentucky home.
| / sincerely congratulate you upon the fact
| that our peaceful progress has led us by
pleasant paths, to the northern border, and
we pitch the tents of the 3Oth national en-
campmcnt in this beautiful city of the north
west on the banks of the"Fathcr of Waters
where, with united voice, we salute again
our dear country and its flag. and bless the
God Of our fathers that 1t was his good
pleasure to permit lis to stand in the battle
for Its unity, and to preserve so many OF us
to be partakers of its later glories.
commend to your careful perusal the re-
ports of the staff officers. They exhibit in
detail the state of ali the principal business
and interests of the Grand Army, and will
evidence the faithfulness with which you
have been served.
| The volume of business transacted through
national headquarters has been very great
far greater than in any preceding year.
The total membership of the Grand Army
of the Republic Is 3s5, ,4OG. Of which 34O,6l0
are in good standing. and AZ, 81 are carried
ON the suspended list for non-payment OF
dues, II decrease in this list during the past
year of 1853 The gain by muster during
| the year was IL. 467.
In this ,ecapi ulation the department of
| Pennsylvania shows a loss of 1858 members
that has been enormously carried on the list
for several years, and were counted in the
last report.
The total loss during the year was III ,4O6,
Of which number 1928 was by death, which
Is q decrease of IS from last year.
The report of the quartermaster-gener
shows our finances to be in good condition,
and there has been Il reduction in expenses
IL. tl,,t Il Of