Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-14

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legacy Of loyalty and heroism be.
lqueathed to them by their fathers.
AS a result Of an accident, was dis
abled and could not attend the muster
at Camp Benson in August 1 was
ably represented by my staff officers
and they reported very interesting
meeting and enjoyable outing. The
Home still continues as in the past few
years, and / should be much gratified
to see it endorsed by the Legislature
and upon a broader basis doing the
greater work for which it was founded.
The Woman's Relief Corps both Ma
tional and State, by their faithful and
untiring labors among the needy and
destitute wards of the G. A. r. have
aIleviated and soothed the distress of
thousands who have called them
blessed. Their labors of love are high
| " appreciated by the comrades Of the
G. A. r..
| We realize that their noble influence
upon US is one of great importance
tow9rd sustaining and supporting our
grand oggar citation. and let us always
show our appreciation of their noble
order.
1t has been my privilege to attend
many pleasant reunions, social gather
ings and post meetings. l have re-
GREETED that business compelled me to
decline some invitations: for they
would all prove enthusiastic assistants
in the cares and the honors of the office
of department commander.
And now, comrades, as our present
term is nearly ended, wish again to
thank you one and all, for your kind
AMI able assistance in carrying on the
business of the department. 1 hope
and pray that we may be permitted to
meet each other in many department
meetings in the future.
The report Of Assistant Adjutant
General F. E. Sprague dealt mainly
with the membership of the order. Ac-
ccrding to his figures there We're 159
posts in the department at the close of
1900. During 1901, r. H. Spear Post,
No. 40. and Demeritt Post. No. LAT,
surrendered their charters. This left
1871 posts at the close of 1901. Since
that date Geo. H. Greenlief Post, No
100. has forwarded it's charter, books,
rituals. ETC.. to headquarters, reducing
the number to 1856. At the beginning of
1901 there We're 6764 members in good
standing. During the year there was
sain from mastering in, transfer, re-
instatement and delinquent reports of
1872. There was loss, however, from
various sources amounting to 704,
leaving the number in good standing a t
the close of the year at 6542. In addi-
ton to this there are 1896 suspended
comrades
Henry f. Sellers submitted his report
as assistant quartermaster general.
This gave detailed account of the re-
ceipts and expenditures during the
year. 1t showed that this office had re-
ceived a total of s2426O2, s6S3.S9 of
which came over from the previous
year. The expenditures have been
$1s64.2O which leaves balance of
s5G1.S2 on hand.
Mr.. Sellers report also included the |
interesting consolidated re- |
port of the post quartermasters of the |
State:
Balance on hand. last report -. $685. |
Receipts from all sources ....... S.053.9t |
Disbursements NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 9270.22 |
Cash on hand Dec. 81. 1901 ....... 22.4O2.v4 |
cash on hand, relief FUNDS ...... 5,9lg.2J |
Market value real estate ........ A. 401.S9 |
Market value furniture, flags,
etc, Observation-Disclosures. 2i,S2l.23 |
Total value Posts property 9S,5O3.41 |
The report of the medical director, J.
H. McGregor of Montague, although |
incomplete on account of the negligence |
OF post surgeons in making their re- |
turns, is very interesting. 1t shows |
that the order is alive to the duties of |
charity which devolve upon it. Men, |
bers who were ill have been treated |
and medicine free of charge when they |
were unable to pay for medical at
tendance.
The report of the chaplain j. w.
Webster of Newport, is Of great i'm
portance as under the duties of this
office comes the compiling of facts re-
lating to Memorial day. During the
year the posts attended 159 services on
Memorial Sunday and listened to ISL
cergymen. On Memorial day, they
visited 1453 cemeteries and 1852 graves
were decorated. OF this number 1923
We're never found and decorated before.
A total of s6S37.73 was expended in this
work The posts have received from
cities and towns 81. 1850. The largest
amount received was $3.50, several
towns gave s. and $40 each, while four
are reported as not giving anything.
The remainder gave sums ranging from
s15 upwards. In closing his report of
Memorial day services the chaplain
says: ION the whole, this report is en-
coura cling. When we remember that
the comrades are growing old and
many of them infirm and weak from
disease and wounds. does not the fact
that 1926 marched in the line last
Memorial day. prove their loyalty to
the flag and their devotion to the
memory Of their comrades who are
Sleeping the sleep that knows no wax
ing, in a land they, by their sacrifice
made free. under flag they rendered
stainless. each housed away in his own
wirdowless palace of rest"
Agreeable to a vote of the council OF
administration. and also Of the depart
ment. the chaplain has had the obituary
record book completed to Jan. LIST, 1901.
Il now contains the names of 5561 de-
ceased comrades. 1t is not and cannot
be made absolutely correct. but if the
names of comrades dying each year are
written in. it may at some future time
n valuable as a book of reference.