The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-17
BARTLETT'S REPORT.

The report of the assistant adiutant
general shows the following condition
or membership: Number of comrades
III good standing Dec. 81, 1897 q, O99:
number in good standing Dec. 81, 1898
zul6O; total gains for the year, 544; to-
tai losses, 1883; net loss for the year
S59. The causes Of so many suspen-
SONS IN recent years have been at
tflputed by some to conditions peculiar
to this department, but the fact that
the percentage of suspensions in many
departments is greater than in our
own, indicates that their causes must
be sought in general rather than local
conditions.
No posts have been delinquent in
their final returns. The charter of
Fletcher Webster post 10 was restored
by unanimous vote of the council of
administration Nov. 8, 1895 Yanno
Post 213 of Hyannis was instituted
Jan. IL, 1899. We close the year with
2l3 posts, which, with few exceptions,
the report of the department inspector
shows to be in prosperous condition
The finances of the department are
in healthful condition. Although the
per capita tax was reduced from "a
cents to 20 cents at the last encamp-
ment, no embarrassment has been
caused thereby. The cash balance on
hand Feb. l, 1898. was $6955.08: the re-
ceipts from all sources during the past
year were $52S5.70; the expenditures for
the same time were $4S3372; leaving a
cash balance on hand Feb. l, 1899, of
14O706, an increase of $4519S. The to-
tai expenditure for the year has been
S4SS3.72, a decrease of $65S.03. OF this
amount $1546.93 was in payment of
bills contracted before the beginning
Of the financial year just closed. This
amount deducted from the total eX-
penditure for the year shows the ac-
tual working expenses under the pres
ent administration to Feb. l, 1899, to
have been S3227.S5 Unpaid bills, the
chief of which is that for the printing
of the journal of this encampment and
the rent of this hall, amounting in all
to about $1,000, will be brought forward
to the present year.
1t is a question for your considera-
ton whether good business prudence
requires that the permanent fund
should be longer maintained intact and
be allowed to accumulate from year to
year as in the past. My own impress
sion is that, in view of our rapidly
decreasing membership, the greatest
good of the greatest number would be
subserved by drawing Judiciously upon
this fund each year in part payment
Of current expenses. The use of this
money would make possible a material
easing the burden Of the weaker posts,
which are making a brave struggle for
life.
The work of the Woman's Relief
Corps has been carried on, as usual,
with commendable zeal and energy.
This organization during the year has
gone outside of it's hitherto legitimate
sphere and has gained new honor by
its labors of love for the soldiers in
the field This is it has done without
detriment to the Grand Army. No
words of mine can add to your respect
for this corps of patriotic workers. I
cite the following report recently re-
ceived at headquarters as touching
instance of their devoted spirit: Re
port of r. A. Bell Womans Relief
Corps, No. 81.
This corps presented. to Mayhem
school, Chambers street, Boston. June
49, IA flags and a supply of patriotic
primers; April 10, presented Post 1874 d
bunting flag; May 10, celebrated the
adoption of our dear old flag; May 80
decorated 105 graves en- Rainsford is
land; on the same day we decora ted
the Robert G.. Shaw monument on Bos-
ton common; April 30, we gave mu-
steal entertainment at the Soldiers
home. In August we sent a barrel of
useful articles to hospital ship for our
sick soldiers of the war of '9S We also
gave Post 134 a Christmas tree, with d
pair Of socks filled with useful things
for each one. This is what Corps 81 has
done in 1898 for the veterans of 81 and
the soldiers of '9S Lucinda Watson,
president
These observations concerning the
Woman's Relief Corps apply with equal
force to the Daughters of Veterans,
whose Work under their efficient presi-
dent continues and progresses with UNI
abated enthusiasm.
The Sons of Veterans should be
brought into closer touch with the
membership of our order L have dis
cerned a feeling in some camps that
the veterans do not seem to invite. but
rather repel cooperation. This ought
not so to be. The sons are the mediums
through which the traditions of the war
must be perpetuated and transmitted
to later generations.
SO far as known, there are IS Massa-
chusetts army nurses now living. In
1897 Ga were living, but 6 (nearly one
tenth) have since gone to their re-
ward. of these noble women still liv-
ing, 10 per cent are so years of age
and upward, go per cent are 20 years and
over; and of the remaining 40 per cent
the youngest are nearly 60 years of age.
thus giving the association few work
ing members. 1t is necessary for them
to work constantly to replenish the
treasury, that the calls for relief may
be given the old nurses in their sunset
days as they so Loyalty gave to the
boys in blue" from 81 to 65. The
balance of cash OH hand in their treas
ury Jan. ], 1899, was SCI. 80
/ have twice visited the soldiers
home during the year and have noted
with pleasure the air Of comfort which
pervades the place.
The memorial season was faithfully