The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-24

r. Van SAINT, and Ell Torrance. a com
m1ttee to escort Chief
X. >. Clarkson to the hall. The opening
ceremonies Of the encampment We're
gone through with and, before the sa-
lute to the flag, the Morgan
Post Drum corps, of MINNEAPOLIS. rem
dered The Battle Cry Of Freedom
Mayor Doran, who is also a comrade
or the Grand Army, welcomed the en-
campment to the city in a few we'll
chCsen words, and giving them the
Keys Of the city. Comrade NJ A. Gear
mart, CT Duluth, responded felicitously,
ailer Which short recess was taken,
while waiting the arrival Of Comman-
der-1n-Chief Clarkson. AS soon as the
ccmmander-in-chief entered the hall.
ne was escorted to the stage and in
troduced to the encampment He said
IN his remarks, that he did not know
whether 1T was the crisp and bracing
air OF the state, or whether it was the
consciousness of having done their
work we'll, or both, but he was glad
to see them all so jovial and healthy.
He carried and gave, as he said. the
greetings Of the encampments he had
visited, and also their thanks for the
kind treatment which they received at
the time of the national encampment
held in ST. Paul last September. The
ccmmander-i chief called attention to
the large number of suspended members
on the rolls, and suggested pans where
by these comrades would be returned to
the fold. After the close Of his re
marks, he held a reception, and shook
hands with every comrade in the hall;
Department Commander j. J. Nc
Cardy then read his report, which is
very complete. He said in part:
Al our last annual encampment. when by
your suffrage l was called to the highest
Office in the department. promises of faith
full work in the interest of our beloved order
were made to you. and an earnest desire
that you would be satisfied with the work
that would be done during my official term.
The year has come and gone-its memories
alGre remain-and what happy year to this
department. We have had within CUR bor-
ders one of the grandest reunions of our old
comrades-i1-aTms that it has been the priv
ilege of many of us to witness.
In regard to pensions, he said: While it
may not be satisfactory to a yell-fed high
official at Harvard college to see the nation
partially keeping its promises to those who
defended the flag in its hour Of peril. still, it
is a fact that the pension laws are soon to
be fairly administered and that some of the
recommendations Of the national encamp-
ment have been respected and some Of the
agencies closed. and the business transacted
through the pension bureau at Wash, ,ngtOn,
as it should be. 1t is hoped that the day will
soon come when an honorable discharge will
be 5ut another name for pension certih-
cate.
The Soldiers Home. at Minnehaha. is
mentioned and the officers and thei~
work in caring for the old and disa-
h!ec comrades is commended The
soldiers relief fund, ne said, was a
wise provision for comrades with fam
lilies. There was a larger demand on
this fund this winter than ever befcra,
Nearly 500 families are now being aid
ed.
Commander McCardy recommends
the adoption of resolution, by which
the state shall give the department
Of Minnesota sufficient room in the
new capitol building for a permanent
headquarters, wherein to transact it's
official business and store its archives
ana records, and such war histories
and relics as the comrades may desire
to place there.
He commends the Women's Relief
Corps and the Ladies of the Grand
Army Of the Republic in their being
ready and willing to DO whatever is
within their power tc assist in Ir2mot-
ing the good cf the order He hopes
that the day is not far distant when
these two organizations may effect a
union and become one body.
The Sons Of Veterans, splendid
body Of young men, fully alive to
their duties as patriotic citizens, have
ever been ready on all occasions dur
ing the past year to give aid and COM
fort to the veterans Of the Grand Army
Of the Republic
He called attention to the national
encamQment at st. Paul last Septem-
ber, and giving his reasons fer his in
ability to visit any Of the posts in the
department.
In closing. he returns his sincere
thanks to all comrades Of the DEPART
ment, an5 especially to j. X. Mertz.
the efficient assistant adjutant general,
for his untiring efforts for the coed Of
the department. May l. therefore
say in conclusion that l wish that
your future may be as prosperous
and happy as your past has been glo-
rlous and honorable"
The reports of E. B. Wood. senior
vice department commander, and d. ].
EcdGe, Junior vice department cCnl-
mancer were ShCrt but showed that
they, too, had done considerable labor
fer the good of the order.
The report of Assistant Adiutant
General j. K. Mertz is very completes
and full of meritor.ous suggestions. as
follows: Gained by muster during
the year. S64; by transfer 20S; by REIN
statement, 425; by delinquent reports.
80; total gain during the year. 1.S33.
Loss during the year. by DEATH 13S: by
honorable discharge. 2S; by transfer,
1873; by suspension, $40: by delinquent
reports, 55; net gain, 800; add gain by
delinquent reports, &c; total gain S45.
Expended for charity during the year,
$1,691.74. One post surrendered its.
charter and one post Was mustered
with 19 charter men5ers during the
past year.
There has been received for per
capita tax and charter Fees during the
year $3,2SS.40. which has been turned.
over to Quartermaster E n. Leavens.
THE mail matter Of this office was
extra large. there being a grand total
of 1850 pieces handled, which number
is the largest in the history of the de-
partment
"On account of the national encamp-
ment being held in st. Paul the husi-
ness of the office was greatly increased,
so that I was unable to attend many
campfrss throughout tie department,
but did &c to attend seven out
of the nine district encampments L
have travelled nearly 5000 miles
TOO much honor and credit cannot
be given to the citizens committee and
the comrades of st, Paul for the grand
success which attended the thirtieth
annual national encampment. This is
the sentiment that has been expressed
throughout every department in the
United States. and the comrades of this
department. can with pride share the.
same sentiment. I feel it a duty in
cumbent upon me to compliment the.
post commanders. adjutants and quar-
fern,a ctey-s .aF 1895 fov khe y1,>@T1r.t n ace.