The National tribune., 1898-02-17
THE GRAND ARMY.
What Veterans Are Doing for
the Good Of the Order.
MASSACHUSETTS ENcAMpMENr.

MASSACHUSETTS ENcAMPMENT.
The 32d annual Encafnpment of the De-
| partment of Massachusetts convened at
fremont Temple. Boston, Feb. 8. Depart
ment Commander John NJ. Deane presided.
| About 900 Were present.
| Commander Deane's report touched on
| all important topics. The membership,
Dec. 81, 1896, he said, was 22,0JS. There
was gain during 1897 OF 7O7 members.
The loss by death was 5i4 and from other
causes 1,072, leaving the membership FL
! 099. or a net loss of 909. The losses from
all causes, except suspension, were Il less
| than the previous year. The Commander
accounted for the decrease more by lack OF
musters than loss of old members.
| The Assistant Generals
report showed a cash balance on hand
| Feb. !, 1898, of S6,955; gain OF little
! over $50.
Assistant Adjutant-G General H. O. Moore's
| report showed that the different Posts had
expended IN relief during 1897 nearly
| $50, goo.
The election of officers brought on hot
contest between the two factions of the
| Department, one being opposed to certain
! past officers holding seats in EncampmentS.
| Tne other faction believe in the present
method OF seating. Since Post IL passed
resolutions two years 20 favOring a change,
and was afterwards suspended on account
OF difficulties growing out of the affair,
/ there has been much discussion of the
matter in the Department.
Senior Vice Commander John f. Gilman
was in line for promotion. He received
only 257 votes. while VIM. Fl. Bartlett, of
Post 10, Worcester. received 323. Comrade
! Baitet was the candidate of those opposed
| to the past officers. Joseph l.. Bar ,iett, OF
! Post l62, Tuners Falls, was elected
Senior Vice Commander, receiving 262 votes
| to 26I cast for Peter d. Smi h, the retiring
| Junior wee Commander.
Other officers elected were: J. Y. c.,
| George NJ. Fiske, Post 81, Newton Chap,
! Thomas X. Scuily, Cambridge; Med .cai
Director, DIR. w. Ii. Baker, Lynn; Council
OF Administration, Maitland c. Lamprey,
! Post %, Eas ondale; Henry A. Power, POST
Lawrence: James +. Bates, Post Is, Whit
man, and Tristan Griffin, Post 40, Maiden.
Past Sen or Vice Commander Gilman and
| Past Junior Vice Commander Smith were
| chosen Delegates at-Iarge.
| Both National and State Civil Service
laws were opposed, it being stated that
favoritism was shown and the just claims
OF veterans ignored.
resolution was PASSED favoring the
Nicksburg National Military Park. Albert
A. Pope 35th Mass; Joseph ii. Barnes,
18th Mass, and William H. Hodgk u.s. and
William Al. DIN, seth Mass, who repre-
sent regiments engaged in the battle and
siege, Were appointed a committee.
The Department Commander was in
structed by resolution to submit to vote by
the different Posts whether Past officers
should hold seats in Encampments.
A banquet was given IN Faneuil Hall.
Commander Deane introduced Commander
in-Chief Goblin. In part Gen. Goblin said:
lie Old soldier must guard against all
presumption that there is anything wrong
with his record as a man and a soldier
We are standing here and are being inn
male hoo Il l..
cause OF any fault, in, you, but because
you are Of a class.
They say, Make the pension-roll roll
of honor want to answer them back,
1t is a roll Of honor
" 1t is not only this that is involved, but
your personal reputation is at stake. | do
not care who casts the blame, but want
to say. deiying contradiction, that the
G.A.R. has never attempted to do Il single
act Of which any man need he ashamed"
Col. J. ID. Billings extended the greetings
of the Commonwealth. Gen. Warren, of
Connecticut, made "a strong plea for the
restoration Of the merchant marine. Q. NJ
Gen. Burroughs gave poetic and stirring
sketch OF the thrilling events of war DAYS.
Ins.Gen. Williams believes the G A. had
done as much for the country since the
war as during the struggle.
There were also present at the banquet
Adjt-Gen. Stewart, COmmander-in-Ch Chief
Darling and Division Commander Cooke,
of the Sons o. Veterans, Past Commander
jim Chef George s. Merrill Past Com
mander-in-C Chief John &. b. Adams, and
many other GAR. men Of National prom
inenCe.
NEW YORK AFFAIRS.
The gratifying report is male by Depart
ment Inspector Frank c. Jones that the
relief funds Of the Pos.s show an increase
OF between Sl8,0D0 and $50 600 during the
year. The Inspector thinks there is about
the same proportion on increase of money
in the hands OF the Quartermaster, and
the same will hold good in the relative
amount expended in charity. The report
also shows an increase in attendance and
interest.
Lewis O. Morris Post, 121, Albany, has
RENTED all unpaid dues OF comrades up to
and including December, 1897. Under this
generous acton 81 suspended members
were re .nstated Commenting OH the action
of this Post, Department Commander Shaw
says: 81 recommend that another chance
be given thOughtleSS or unfortunate cGm-
radeS, now spended, to prove themselves
worthy OF the record they won in the trying
days of the war Much can he forgiven
under the watchwOrds of our Order-Fr
ternity. Charity, and Loyalty-when the
weaknesses OF the comrades and Their tempt
atoms are fully considered by those who
fought by Their side, and when true hero SIN
marked their noble services in the Nations
defense. Inc nelplul associations OF Com
rades are needed by many brave veterans
who have made mistakes of omission and
commission, as members of the GAR,
causing their suspension, and to win them
back into fellowship again, may make
ght the declining years of Their lives
Let us truly bear each others burdens
If we help our own we shall he respected
for our true comradeship."
In General Orders, Commander Shaw ex-
tends the sympathy of the Neg York De
partment to the widow and children of Com
Tade ID. ii. Turner, Past Commander of
Bidw ell-Will<ensOn Post, 8, Buffalo. Com
radc Turner died suddenly. He was best
known to the GAR. through his valuable
services rendered in connection with the
Buffalo National Encampment.
THE NUTMEG STATE
b. L. Burr, Rockville, Conn, writes:
1.-THE Posts of the little Nutmeg State are
up and doing. The Department Com
mander says that none have died during
his administration. Hartford has two good
Posts and two active9G6rps. South Man
chester has Post made up of as noble a
set of boys as you evil find anywhere
Stanley Post, of New Britain, has a very
large membership, although death has
been thinning its ranks.
Here in Rockville, tie smallest city in
the State, we are not on any double quick
marches vet rItetfv S,,ra m .yot