The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-03-18
THE OLD GUARD.
The State Encampment of the Grand Army
in Session.

Minneapolis, March 1.-THE old sol
diers of Minnesota were on hand early
this morning to usher in the state en-
campment at Harmonic Hall. A bic
crowd of veterans swarmed about head
| quarters in the Lumber Exchange al
day yesterday, and the fine attendance
at convention hall this morning was
not unexpected. The attendance was
well 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 mem bers 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
Hobbies last evening discussing matters
military and battles fought over so
years ago.
| The condition Of the order was never
better in the history of its organization
| in this state. There are at present
nearly 5000 veterans in good standing
as members of the Grand Army of the
Republic in Minnesota. The exact en-
rollment January 1, 1896, was 1877,
embraced in 1S6 posts. The increase
has been steady for 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 Fl. 6.
Bilbee. The roll call of the delegates
was dispensed with, and Commander
Terrence at once read his annual re-
port
The report of Commander Terrence
covered the ground of the department
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. Merits 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" Pensions" 1.-The Louisville
Encampment," The Coming National
Encampment," and other topics of gen.
eral interest to the department.
Assistant Adjutant-General J. 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 166 have been re-
ceived by transfer, making a gain for
the past pear of 922. The losses have
been by death, 137; honorable dis
charged, SO: transfer. 134: suspensions,
52S; and dishonorable discharge, 8,
making a loss during the year of s35.
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-
sion yesterday, Medical Director j. NJ.
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 G. A. e. post or Woman's
Relief corps is located.
Judge Advocate E. M. Pope reported
that no cause of complaint has been
| fled. The office was one of no activity
| during the year.
The report of c. h. Taylor, depart
meut inspector, showed a marked in
crease in the different posts.
Commander-in-Chief Ivan N Walker,
his quartermaster-general and chief of
staff were at this time admitted, and
were received with 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 conferred
in the election of officers. On the first
ballot j. j. McCardy was elected COM
mander by vote of SIS to POS, Jack
Mullen, of Wabasha, being the COM