The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-24

soldiers. He spoke happily Of the prog
ress Of the national and state organiZa
ton of the G. A R., and spoke with
feeling of ''auld lang syne.''
JUDGE HICKS TALKS.
Capt Donahower was followed by
Judge Hicks, of Minneapolis. who re-
sponded in the place of Robert
Stratton. who was also detained from
being present He responded cordially
TO the greeting Of welcome, and recalled
St. Paul as the city of thirty-five years
ago thrown open to receive the return
ing troops. He recalled that when the
boys came back in SO there was one
old man present who had fought in the
campaigns with Napoleon. That old
man imp eSsed him wonderfully and
he took every opportunity to get
peep at him who fought at Austerlitz
and Waterloo. Yet here today were
men who fought, not with Napoleon,
but with Grant and Sherman and Sher-
iGan and Thomas, and the wonder was
that the whole city was not present to
extend greetings There was no fear
that the old boys would paint the town
red except in defense Of law and or
der OF course. once in d while the
veterans liked to have a good time
but when the critical moment came
they were always To be found on the
side of right and duty.
COMMANDERS ANNUAL.
Comm ander Mortimer followed with
his annual message. which was a well
prepared and complete resume of the
work and progress OF the order since
the last annual encampment. He said
in part:
Inasmuch as the Grand Army has lost
1883 members during the year ending
June 80. 1898. it is not surprising that the
department OF Minnesota is growing
smaller. The order will gradually diminish
under the ravages o. Father Time, and it
cannot be helped. All should congratulate
each other that the falling off is no greater
and that enthusiasm increases dS the menu
bershiD diminishes.
Some attention was paid to the claim of
the department against the Allemannia bank
of ST. Paul, amounting TO 5000. The oner
for certificates of deDosit running in five
annual payments declined, and efforts
were made TO compromise, but without sat
isfactory results having been attained. Suits
were instituted. and finally the bank was
compelled TO pay 1928 in cash and TO give a
certificate Of deposit for the remainder
Much attention was given TO the death Of
Commander-in-ChiefJ James A. Sexton and
Assistant AGiurant General J. K. MertZ, in
the loss OF whom the department was caused
the DrofOundest sorrow. Col Sexton was an
ideal soldier. entering the army as he did
as a private and winning distinction and
promotion on mis- merits alone. The Grand
Army has suffered an rreparable loss. and
each comrade has lost true and faithful
friend
Of j. K. Merit. Our Jake" words hardly
suffice TO fully express the grief he felt.
Fer years he had been the right hand of
each department commander. and any one
would willingly accept the responsibility Of
uhe place when they knew that Jake would
always lie st his side with his counsel and
experience.
Not single soldiers grave was overlooked
on Memorial Day. far as be learned
Each was decorated with flag and gar
land.
The government should care for the needy
and distressed soldiers, and the Grand Army
boys should not be compelled to give from
their scanty stores when the government
was under obligations to those who have
fought TO preserve it. The army had spent
S171, SO in the United States during the
year ending June &c. 1898. veteran
should have letter Fate than starvation by
the wdySlde and pauperS home, which
might be the lot of many, but for the kindly
offices of their comrades, most OF whom had
but little themselves.
The noble mission OF the Woman's Relief
corps and the Ladies of the G.. A. R. was
touched upon with much feeling, and the
ladies were heartily thanked for their eff
forts. 1t was reported to him by Mrs. Mary
it had spent S4,5S0.S4 during the year. Of
which three-fourths went to the relief OF
needy soldiers and their families and the
remainder TO the posts, with the exception
OF $50 to the Soldiers home. Mrs. Julia E.
T. Lobdel reported to him that the Ladies
OF the G. A. R. had disbursed 81, 599 during
the year.
The condition OF the Soldiers home was
referred to as being satisfactory considering
the limited funds available. Under the cir
cunstances it was the best managed home
in The country. state relief fund for the
benefit Of those who could not be admitted
TO the home, such the widows and chill
dren or dependent wives and children Of old
scld1ers, was badly needed, and every men,
Der Of the order should let the legislature
understand that the relief fund should be re-
established.
1t was a fallacy to suppose that the pen
sion laws provided for all the worthy SOL
diers Men suffering from wounds and dis
ease were met with almost daily. Their
comrades would be satisfied if the laws we're
administered justly and literally in accord
ance with their spirit rather than with re-
gard to tne views Of some dysDeptic editor
CT cheap lawyer.
Post officers were cautioned to exercise a
little tact with regard to suspensions, as
many are frequently suspended when they
are both willing and able to pay their dues.
He cited the case of a friend who asked the
postponement OF the act of suspension of
several delinquents until he had time to
make personal Investigations. In one hour
this comratfe had collected S35 from soma
who we're three four years in arrears
All comrades were urged, to attend the
next national ercampment to be held this
year at Philadelphia. and were especially be-
sought to give the incoming administration
generous support. For himself he had done
the best he knew how.
D. 2. Searle, senior vice commander
read his apual report. followed by
report from Junior Vice Commander D.
A Morrison.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT'S REPORT.
B. NJ. Hicks, assistant adjutant gen.
Ial Of the department. presented his
annual report, which was in part as
fellows
The whole number of deaths reported IN
the department for the year 1898 was AZ
The average age OF those reported when
mustered out of our ranks by death was
sixty-fve years.
The youngest comrade who died during the
year was Lyman HOtchkis, private, Company
H. Sixteenth Wisconsin volunteer infantry
member Of Post No. 101, Browns Valley Who
died at the age Of fftytwo.
The oldest cOmrade who died during the
year was Rev VI. J. Kelly, chaplain of the
Sixty-sixth Maine volunteer infantry and also
Of the United States army, member of
Fost NO. ny Of Minneapolis, who died at
the age of eighty-two.
Twenty-Five posts show no change in mem
bership Thirty-fve posts show a gain in
membership for the year And 100 nostE
show loss in membership.
Jsmes A. Goodwin Post No. 81, Of Owa-
tonna, shows the largest aggregate gain in
membership being a gain of nine comrades
Acker Post No. q, of St. Paul shows th.
largest aggregate loss during the year. being
loss OF ifty-one members. There has been
suspended in the department during the
year $50. In 1896 the suspended list was 565
in 1887 the suspended list was 49, In 1898
the suspended list was 665. Now that phe
dead and down timber has been thoroughly
cut from our Grand Army reserves let us
hopeA that the live tlmbers remaining will
suck TO the good old Grand Army ship until
il is safely moored on the other shore
The Grand Army, now in its scar and vel
low leaf, cannot march to the nineteenth cen
fury imperial music OF expansion hut we
ought to, adept the Old Glory stanza, tne
O1l