The National tribune., 1897-02-25
TIE GRAND ARMY,
What is Being Done by the Veterans
for the Good of the Order
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
MARYLAND

present at the Hose Opera House, Hagerstown,
last Thursday, when Commander George ID.
Cooper convened the PSI annual Encampment
of the Department of Maryland. Commander
Cooper in his annual report, stated there were
SIS Posts in Maryland in good standing, with
3O25 members Two Posts during the year
dropped out on account of delnquences Two
new Posts were mustered in. There were H.
deaths during the year. There is on hand TO
the credit of Department, $267.S3; ex-
pended during wear Nor charities, ST 99S. so.
He referred in feeling manner to the custom
of observing Memorial Day. He stated the
committee appointed at the last Encampment
had succeeded in getting the Legislature to APP
propriate SIS, 600 10 complete the work of max
ing record of the muster-rolls and enlist
ments of all.soldiers from Maryland during the
rebellion. Commander Cooper made special
mention of the Sons of Veterans. and asked tho
Posts TO do everything in their power to en-
courage the organization of new Camps.
Col. G. w. Vernon, of Baltimore. from the
Committee on Legislation, reported that the
work assigned to it was being brought to a
conclusion. The committee in charge of it re-
ported that the monument of ex-Gov. Hicks
had been regretted in suitable place in Balti-
more.
Commander-in-Chief Clarkson addressed the
Convention. His talk was encouraging to the
veterans and instructive as to their duties one
TO another. In speaking of the condition OF
".
out of chaos, went to the g. A. K. for man to
be placed at the head of the country-William
Mckinley. He said the pension laws passed
were ample to cover every phase of the soldier s
wants. and all the G. Ar people ask is that
they be construed in the spirit in which they
were passed.
Past Commander Frank Smith, Baltimore,
introduced a resolution, which passed. indors-
ing the bill now before Congress providing for
military instruction in public schools, and urg-
ing Maryland representatives to vote for it.
At Wednesdays session of the Encampment
the following officers were chosen: CON-, Geo.
w. Johns; S. V. c.. L. ID. Stanton; j. v. c., c.
c. Waits; Surg, J. w. C. Guilty; Chap. Rev. J.
/. Grimm. Council of Administration, c. J.
wald. II. White. Delegate-atL Large, J. E.
Hough; Delegates to National Encalnpment
J. III. Mandavill, A. G. Cadwalader, Z. l. w.
Smons. The newly elected officers were mme.
diately installed By Past Commander Maj. f.
Y. Goldsborougb, of Frederick. The next En-.
campment will be held in Baltimore, the time
to be selected later.
The Committee on Quartermaster's Report
recommend that an appropriation of $50 be
made for badge for the Quartermaster as a
token of esteem. Resolutions regarding pen.
sions were passed, and committee will be
appointed by the Department Commander to
work in conjunction with the National Pen.
Legislature was urged to erect a State Soldiers
Home.
Gen. Ciarkson presented Department Com.
manded Geo. w. Cooper, of Baltimore. with a
gold and silk badge studded with diamonds
on behalf of the Maryland Department. Com
mander Cooper thanked the comrades for this
token of affection in touching speech.
MASSACHUSETTS,
The 3lst annual Encampment of the Depart
ment of Massachusetts, convened at Worcester
Feb. TO- with 200 delegates present. Chaplain
Taylor invoked the divine blessing. Com
mander Alfred $. Roe, of Post 10, presented Il
Department Commander VIM. p. Derby gave
made of white holly taken from the battlefield o
Chickamaugs. cordial welcome was EXTENDED
by Past Commander and Mayor Sprague Il
Worcester, and Commander VIM. z. Derby re
piled briefly.
Department Commander Derby read hi
annual address, in which he said: mo new
Posts have been organized. nor have any sur
rendered their charters during the past year
The following statistics indicate the present
numerical strength of the Department: Mem
bersbip in good standing Dec. 81, 1885, 22, 594
gained by muster. $40; gained by transfer, 1873
gained by reinstatement, 1873; total gain. 81
aggregate membership 23465. Lost by death
542; lost by transfer, IFS; by honorable dis
charge, So; by suspension. GU: by disbonor
able discharge, 3; total loss AIS; number in
good standing Dec 81, 1886 q. COS. This show
net loss in membership of 5S6
The report Of the Assistant Quartermaster
General shows balance of cash on hand O
10. l54. AZ, an increase of S292.50. The work lie,
expenses of the Department for the year wa
So. 5G0.01.
lille there is abundant cause for com
plant as TO the execution of pension laws We
q more hopeful spirit pcrvades the comrades
They are, thanks 10 Congress. no longer treaties
rs frauds per Sc, but are allowed to plead befor
being adjudged guilty. Should there be re
turn 10 the INFAMOUS practices Of the past Their
viii be no escape from an overwhelming de
mand for Service Pension. Under presen
conditions am convinced the interests of al
concerned were best served by joining wit
The committee OF the National Encampment il
advancing House bill No. SAG"
Past Department Commanders Merrill. Her
sey, and Hail escorted Commanders in Chief I
S. Clarkson TO the Encampment. As be cam
TO the iootlights the com rades stood and cheerc
him again and again. He addressed the En-
eSmpment.
At the opening of the afternoon sessio
greetings We're received from the Daughters G
Veterans. 1t was unenimouly voted to hol
the next Encampmeni in Boston. Past Depar,
ment Commander Geo. Ii. Innis was indorse
for CommaDderin-Chief by big vote Tb
Eneampment then proceeded to the election G
Officers, by ipstructiDg Adj't Moore to cast
single ballot, making S. Y. Com. John NJ Deans
OF Fall River, Department Commander Othe
officers were elected as follows: S. " c., job,
l. Gilman, Roxbury; J. " C., z. ID. Smith
Andover; Medical Director. Dr. William u
Baker, Lynn; Chap, Rev. William L. Glib.
Lawrence.
The annual banquet Of the Department A ID
on the stan OF the Commander-in-C Chief va
held at the Bay State Eouse after the adjourn
ment OF the afternoon session. President e.
Damon. of Haverhill. acted as POSTMASTER. AN
addresses were made by Past National Con
mander George s. Merrill, of Boston; Con
nander.in-C Chief Ciarkson, Past National Con
mander John q. b. Adams. of Boston: Depar
ment COMMUNICATED Deane Secretary ,
State William III. Oln Mayor &. b. T. Spragu
of Worcester. and Department Commando
Derby, Of Springfield
In the evening there was a big Campfire
Mechanics Hall, at which the Woman's Reli,
Corps aud the public in general listened
stories OF the war by those who fought in IL
The last session Of the Encampment opene
at y O'Clock Thursday morning. Past Depar
ment Commander Arthur A. Smith, of Colrai,
made partial report for the Committee @
Resolutions. On the resolutions presented 1
Post 79, North Adams, for a reduction OF ii
per capita tax from "a to Is cents, and that IL
Department expenses be reduced TO conform
the committee reported that this tax could M
safely be reduced at the present time an
recommended &c the incoming Council of A,
ministration the exercise OF the most rig
economy. The report was adopted. On Il
resolution from Post Sc Cambridge. regardir