The Worthington advance., 1896-03-19
THE OLD GUARD.
The State Enoampmenty OF the
Grand Army in Session

The State Enoampmenty OF the
Grand Army. in Session. :.
rhe Condition of tho Order Was Newer Bet-
ter In tho History of IT. Organzs-
tiOn-Commander-in-C ChSea ~
Walker Present. +
Minneapolis, March 1.-THE old SOL,
diers of Minnesota were on hond early
this morning to usher in the state en-
cam mpment at Harmonic Hall A big
crowd of veterans swarmed aboNt head
quarters in the Lumber Exchange all
day yesterday, and the fine attendance
at convention hall this morning was
not unexpected. The attendance was
we'll up with that of previous years '
The time before the opening exercises
was taken up with election matters,
and small caucuses were being held in
the hall ante-rooms for the purpose OF
booming the respective candidates.
Fully 100 members of the Grand Army
of the Republic, delegates TO the de-
partment encampment to be held at
Harmonic hall, were guests at the sew
eral hotels and in the homes OF friends
in Minneapolis last night. A number
of them were gathered about the hotel
lobbies last evening discussing matters
military and battles fought over 80
years ago.
The condition of the order was never"
better in the history of its organization
in this state There are at present
~1,x O c+n n
as members of the Grand Army OF the
Republic in Minnesota The exact en-
rollment January l, 1896, was 1871.
embraced in 1856 posts. The increase"
has been steady for a number of years..
notwithstanding the large decrease in
the number of veterans in the state
caused by death. The order has never
been so popular, not only among the
veterans and their families, but with
the general public.
The encampment was called to order
by Department Commander Ell Tor
renee, at 1920 o'clock, followed by the
"assembly" by the bugler. Prayer was
offered by Department Chaplain Il. G.
Bilbee. The roll call of the delegates
was dispensed with, and Com mander
Terrence at once read his annual re-
port.
The report of Commander Terrence
covered the ground of the departments
work for the past year thoroughly. Be-
ginning with words of welcome, Judge
Terrence voiced his greeting as depart
ment commander to all visiting COM.
rades and then reviewed the condition
of the department, quoting the figures
set forth in Adjt. Mertz's report He
recommended the plan of organization
of "pickets'' set forth in former let
ter, and reported that it had received
the approval of the commander-in-chief.
He further recommended the continu-
ance of the committee appointed to
compile and publish the early history
of this department.
The report next took up the auxiliary"
organizations, the Woman's Relief
Corps and the Sons of Veterans, and
commended them for their efficient
work.
Other subjects dealt with in the re-
port were Memorial Day." ''Soldiers'
Home." "Loyal Women of the War"
military Instructions in the Public:
Schools" e'Pensions,'' ''The Louisville
| pucAVs uC
Encampment," and other topics of gen
eral interest to the department..
Assistant Adjutant-General ]. K
Mertz read his report, from which the
following excerpts are taken:
"The representation at the last en-
campment was 492. During the past
year 351 new recruits have been mus
tered, AS suspended members have
been reinstated, and 1856 have been re-
ceived by transfer, making gain for
the past pear of 922. The losses have
been by death, 1877; honorable dis
charged, 33; transfer, l34; suspensions,
52s; and dishonorable discharge, g.
making a loss during the year of 1886.
A net gain for the year of one post and
81 members. The total membership
now is 7,S77 embraced in 1s6 posts.
At the opening of the afternoon ses-
Tucker read his report, and surgeons"
reports were received from all the
posts in the department, expect five.
The deathroll is large. No death Of
any old soldier has occurred during the
past year by privation or neglect,
whenever a e. A. R. post or Woman's
Relief corps is located.
Judge Advocate E. NJ. Pope reported
that no cause of complaint hos been
filed. The office was one of no activity
during the year.
The report of c. H. Taylor. depart
ment inspector, showed marked in
crease in the different posts.
Commander-in-Chief Ivan N. Walker,
his OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and chief of
staff were at this time admitted, and
were received with a soldiers welcome.
Commander Walker spoke earnestly of
his visit at Washington, where he wait
ed upon the pension committee Of the
house of representatives.
| The. interest the second day centered
in the election of officers. On the first
ballot J. ]. McCardy was elected COM
mander by q vote of 315 to 295, Jack