St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-03-12
VETERANS AT WORK.
Commander Torrance Reports-First
Days Proceedings.

Battle-scarred veterans to the num-
Der of nearly 800 were in attendance
yesterday morning when the sixteenth
annual state encampment opened at
Harmonic hall. The encampment was
called to order by Department Com
mander Ell Torrance at 1920 o'clock.
followed by the assembly" by the
bugler. Prayer was offered by De-
partment Chaplain H. G.. Bilbee. The
roll call of the delegates was dispensed
with, and Commander Torrance at
once read his annual report
The report of Commander Torrance
covered the ground of the department
work for the past year thoroughly.
Beginning with words of welcome,
Judge Torrance voiced his greeting as
department commander to all visiting
comrades and then reviewed the con-
dition of the department. quoting the
figures set forth in Adjt Merits re-
port. He recommended the plan of
organization Of "pickets," set forth
IN a former letter, and reported that
it had received the approval Of the
commander-in-ch He further rec
commended the continuance of the COM
m1ttee appointed to compile and pub
lish the early history Of this depart
ment.
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" Pensions" "The Louisville
Encampment," The Coming National
Encampment," and other topics of gen
eral interest to the department.
20
of hope that all members would con-
secrate themselves in this meeting to
patriotism devotion to the interests of
the organization and their country.
The report was adopted by a unani-
nous rising vote.
Senior Vice Department Commander
]. j. McCardy then read his report
he SAID that he had not visited many
posts In the department, but that his
time had been occupied in making ar
rangements with the railroads in the
matter of the fare to the national en-
campment at st. Paul. He thanked the
comrades for the honor conferred upon
him at the last encampment
The report Of Junior Vice Depart
ment Commander E. B. Wood showed
that he has been active during the
past year, visiting posts, attending
camp fires and district encampments
Department Chaplain H. G.. Bilbees
report showed that some Of the posts
had failed to make any report A gen.
eral observance Of Memorial day was
had throughout the department
THE ROLL OF DEAD.
At the close of the report of the de-
partment chaplain the list of names
Of comrades who died during 1895 was
read. 1t showed a total loss by death
in the department of 1877 during the
past year.
During the reading of the roll Of the
dead the encampment arose in a body.
as mark of love and respect to the
dead. A poem entitled "In Memoriam,"
was read by Comrade H. S. Golf as
further tribute to their respect. Taps
was sounded.
delegation from the ladies of the
G. A. r., composed Of Mesdames A. T.
Anderson, James and Lindsay, being in
waiting, Commander Torrance appoint
ed Comrade Barto. Espey and Fowler
to escort the ladies to the stage. Mrs.
Anderson presented the greetings Of
the ladies Of the G. A. r., and present.
ed Commander Torrance with a minia-
ture flag, for which he returned the
thanks of the encampment, not only for
the flag, but for the heartfelt greetings.
The following committee on officers
reports was appointed: Sam r. Van