The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-10
VETERANS INSTALL.
The "Boys in Blue" Of '61-'65 Have
Gala Night.


a Gala Night.
Last night the recently elected off,
GERS Of Sergeant William II. Davies
post. No. 1877, Grand Army of the Re-
public, were installed amid much en-
thusiasm and In the presence OF
large number of friends and we'll
wishers. The function was a public
one, and invitations had been issued
to all the kindred and affiliated pa
triotic societies Of the city and to out
of-town visitors. and the result was
that the rooms of the post in odd Fell
lows hall, on Salem avenue, were
crowded to the doors.
Past Commander Joseph NJ. Alexan-
der was the installing officer and he
began the public part of the evenings
programme with an eloquent and hap
py speech, referring briefly to the his
tory of the past. and paying especial
tribute to retiring Commander Conner
Davis and Adjutant William b. Chase
for their excellent work and untiring
fidelity the past year. He concluded
his speech with a most glowing peror-
alton on the nation, the national des-
tiny and the flag of our country.
The presiding officer then publicly
inducted the officers according to the
impressive and beautiful forms of the
Grand Army of fhe Republic. The Of
ficers installed were: Commander,
John McComb; senior vice comman-
der, Alamander FELTON,; Junior vice
commander, William Blake: adjutant,
w. B. Chase; quartermaster, a. w.
Daley; surgeon, Milo Felts: chaplain,
John jennings; officer of the day,
Christopher Schultz; officer of the
guard. George Heddon; sergeant ma
jor, John Brandow quartermaster
sergeant, James G. Decker; trustee,
Aamander FELTON,; delegates to de-
partment encampment, Christopher
Schultz: alternate, A. ". Daley; park
commissioners, ]. NJ. Alexander, Rob-
ert McComb; representative to county
commissioners, John McComb.
Commander McComb, after being
inaugurated, addressed the members
of the post and their guests. as fol-
lows
Ladies, Gentlemen and Comrades
In assuming command Of Sergeant
William II. Davies post, No. 1877, de-
partment of Pennsylvania. Grand
Army of the Republic, It is my desire
to have each member understand full
ly that there is no lack of apprecia-
ton on my part as to the honor con-
yeyed.
"a man who receives the unanimous
vote of any organization for the high
est Office which their suffrage can
give, ought to feel great satisfaction
in contemplating the returns.
"A comrade of n live Grand Army
post who is nominated and elected
commander without solicitation or
electioneering work of any kind on
his part, ought to experience pecu-
larly intense qualification when he
realizes that every vote cast bore his
name.
"Such were the circumstances which
existed when you, my comrades, Sc
lected me as your chief executive and
representative.
"rhe honor Is accepted by me i'm the
same spirit which actuated you to be-
stow it, and to me it implies that you
look to the wearer of the silver eagle
during 1901 for good results.
"We are not strangers in the post
room But we are familiar with each
others capacity and qualifications for
Grand Army work Knowing each
other as we do. and knit together as
| we are by the three great principles of
our order, let us qualify ourselves to
attain high standard of excellence.
Let us try to more fully comprehend
| the true spirit of the duties which the
teachings of our organization are in
| tended to inculcate, and let us strive
| more zealously to exemplify those beau
tiful precepts which arc part of our
ritual.
"As fraternity is the broad founda-
| ton stone on which our order rests, let
us not forget to take with us into our
| daily lives that fraternity Of feeling
| which shall bind us together as COM
| rades.
"As charity is the greatest Of all
virtues. let us not forget to take with
| us into our daily lives that charity
which shall prompt us to the noblest
| sacrifices for the needy and destitute
| wards of our Grand Army.
"As loyalty is the crowning principle
| of our order, let us not forget to take
| with us into our daily lives that loyalty
| which shall bind us to a faithful per-
| formance of our duties as citizens.
| "And let the remembrance of what
| it cost the soldiers and marines of this
| republic to perpetuate our national
government and maintain our flag un-
sulled, be ever fresh in our minds, SO
that you may always feels that you
are entitled to the respect of every per-
son who enjoys the liberty and free
dom of American institutions"
There were a number of other
speeches made by members of the post
and one by Comrade Hardy, of Glen
wood, who was present when the post
was Incorporated in 1880, was particu'
larly apt and brilliant, abounding In
| wit and happy sallies.
The Women's auxiliary to the post
provided a very appetizing repast
which was served after a number OF
selections on the phonograph and sew.
eral songs had been rendered.