The Portland daily press., 1897-06-17
ESPECIAL TO THE PREssel

opening sessions of the 18th annual en-
campment of the Maine Division of the
Sons of Veterans, dawned bright and
fair, and the trains of the Maine Central
road from the eastern and western sec
lions of the state have brought a large
number of the officers and delegates to
the city of Waterville where the encamp-
ment is being entertained by the mem
bers of Garfield Camp, No. 1.
The meeting of the encampment is be-
ing held in Soper's hall.
At 1870 Commander Cooper called the
convention to order and after the usual
formalities the sessions of the encamp-
ment were declared open and the follow
ing committees were appointed to serve
during the session of the convention:
observation-disclosures Ell. Bangs, Fred
r. Fife, Waldo HI. Perry.
Constitution, Rules and Registration
E. K. Gould, Chas. E. Dow, G. W. Poor.
b. Il. Hooper, O. G. Hussey.
observation-disclosures L.Whitcomb, Rev.
6. e. Leighton, Robert A. Coney, G. w.
Gragg, Charles E. Merrill.
Reports of Officers-E. H. Smith, P. j.
Dickey, E. N. Courson, F. B. Weeks. j.
@. Colby.
Ritua1-w. L. Gribbin, H. W. Carr, B.
f. Dyer, John Shaw, ]. D Reynolds.
The committee on credentials met i'm
mediately at the opening of the session
and reported so delegates present and
entitled to vote. The session being hard
ly opened the majority of the delegates
have not arrived, but during the day and
tevening it is expected that the number
will increase to 100 or more.
Col. Cooper in his annual report said
that taking into consideration the hard
| times of the past year the work might be
considered successful. There has been a
loss ip membership, though camps are
in better condition than they were q
year ago, many having dropped from
membership. He recommended official
visitation to keep up the interest, also the
visitation of one camp to another. He
recommended that all new camps be mus
tered in by Grand Army men, all camps
should be in uniform, each mem Der prid-
| ing himself on the neatness of his suit.
He strongly commended the idea of offer
ing prizes to camps making the largest
gains during the year. The standard
Of membership has been raised much
during the past year. They have been
of better age, averaging 25, and business
and professional men. In closing, Col
Cooper extended warm praise to his
staff for interest exhibited and assistance
in work.
Adjutant George III. Bangs submitted
the following report: Number of camps
in standing June 1859; camps organized
9; reinstated, 5; total, 81; 10 camps have
been suspended and have disbanded.
The membership is 1541; gained by orga-
nization and mastering, 1902; transfer
IL; reinstatement, 100; total, $685. lost
by disbanding SO; death, 8; honorably
discharged, Is; transfer, %; suspension,
512; total, 81; making the membership
today, 1410.
L. A. Cooper, quartermaster, reports
cash received from Past Commander
Chutts, $22S.S0; vouchers turned over,
500 80; receipts, $3.50 per capita; for rein
statement fees, S679.52; supplies, s227 SO;
charter fees, $21.25; dues. 81; total re-
ceipts, 81 ,27374; total disbursements,
q ,043.s1; cash on hand, $23O53; supplies,
$59.66 All bills are paid to date.
A. M. Soule, senior vice commanders
reported camps formed during the year
ending December 10 at Biddeford; No
vember 20, Fryeburg; April 10, Brooks;
May 20, Yarmouth; May 20, East Wilton.
At noon the encampment adjourned
until 2 o'clock when the session was
resumed and the remainder of the report
received and referred to the several COM
mittees. Routine business was considered
during the balance of the afternoon and
at $50 an adjournment was made until
O'Clock Thursday morning.
The most important part of the
business will be transacted at tomorro W S
session at which time the several com
mittees will present their reports.
The event of the encampment is usual
~ conferred in the election of officers
and this will occur at about 10 o'clock
Thursday forenoon. For the position of
commander, Lieut.. Col. A. NJ Soule
date and he will probably be elected
For the position of lieutenant colonel,
Rev. Geo. E. Leighton of Skowhegan
has very encouraging promises of sup
port, while Assistant Inspector A. r. Hall
of Oakdale and G. L. Witham of Water
vile each seem to have number of loyal
supporters.
The members of the several camps are
located at Hotel Elmwood.
In the evening public exercises were
held in Soper's hall, to which large
number were in attendance
Geo. e. Dow delivered the address of
welcome, and E. K. Gould responded in
behalf of the encampment. Col I. S.
Bangs spoke on the early days of the
Sons of Veterans, Grand Commander l..
T. Carleton on the G. A. R., Col. e. G.
Milliken on Maine in the war, and d.
A. E. Farnham on the S. of V. in the
future.
: AT the close of the exercises Henry G.
Staple camp of Augusta, ). W. Gilman
camp of Oakland and Shepley camp of
Portland each gave an exemplification of
the degree work.
LADIES' AID.
The 9th encampment of the Maine Di-
vision Ladies' Aid societies opened at
IN on , m in T[niUhtc of pv+b;oc hal1 the