The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-03-12

mander Harrison White has taken care Of
his section of the state and I might go
down the entire list and point out where
in almost every instance your department
officers had each done all that in him lay
to care. for the particular work intrusted
to them.
Work of the Comrades.
1.-THE efforts Of the officers. have been
at all times most ably supplemented by
the work Of the commanders and COM
rades Of the posts. I cannot refrain from
publicly acknowledging" the aid given. by
Comrade C. Fl Macdonald, commander OF
McKelvey, Post. No. 1874, Of st. Cloud, who
has brought fifty-eight members into the
G. A. r. during the past year; Comrade
James A. Lathrope, Commander of Car
field Post, No. 8, of st. Paul, under whose
administration forty-seven names have
been added to the roll Of membership;
Comrade A. D. Prescott, the commander
Of Major Doughty Post, No. lit, of Lake
City, who has mustered thirty mine mem
beers; Commander E. w. Erhard Of e. b.
Gibbs Post, White Bear; Commander l.. j.
Thomas Of Robson Post, No. 5; Com
mander A. E.. Veon of Pap Thomas Post,
No. 80, of Brainerd.
-.... Suspensions.
"For the past. thirteen year sthe numbers
of suspensions from prepayment of dues
has been, on an average, 557 per year.
During the year just past this number
has been reduced to 257, but am firmly
convinced that with proper care this num-
Der may be cut at least one-half.
Memorial Day. ~.
Lowing Memorial Day as we do, it is
to be regretted that more accurate data
is not kept regarding it's celebration. The
tendency once SO unfortunately marked,
toward making it: a secular holiday, is
yearly becoming less. The lessons men
learn from the lives Of those who go before
them is constantly being impressively
taught and the lesson of the American SOL
| der Of devotion to duty and love of coun-
| try is being impressed upon the children
| of America that it cannot but be a strong
factor in the moulding Of national charac-
| ter" g: "''.@'@: 49, '-"~' ~ @',:t
| Referring to the: national encampment
at washington, Commander Starkweather
spoke in high praise Of the appearance OF
the Minnesota contingent in the great
parade. Everywhere, he said, was heard
the. highest praise for the commander
in-chief, Judge Ell Torrance. &. j..
The advantages Of the district encamp-
ments were strongly emphasized. VI leg1s-
Ilation the commander said: 4 :.- --s.s
| During the present term of the state
Legislature a bill to return to the inmates
of the soldiers home tfle1whole amount
of their pensions and a bills to found a
state home for INDECENT and needy Veter;
ans with their wives, have been presented
I wrote to the gentlemen presenting these
bills asking that consideration OF the mat
ter be postponed until this body shoulo
have an opportunity to pass upon tbs
questions involved. 1t is a courtesy es-
4 tablished by precedent, and never before
violated, that. measures directly affeetlns
the soldiers Of this. state be submitted
~ A>~r,ox in, a,1no m n
sem bled. I greatly regret to say that my
request was not complied with in regard
to the. bill relative to the soldiers home
which was submitted to the Legislature
l one week ago. It was defeated, but re
) consideration was obtained, and, as I'M
+ derstand it, the matter now: awaits action
The Soldiers Home. Z,
! .'There is no institution in the state il
), which we take so great an interest as II
the beautiful home at Minnehaha wher
, reside those Of our comrades who 70
!. any cause are led to seek it's hospitabl
!, doors It is a source of pride to us al
Z that persons who are competent to jndg
have pronounced it to be the very bes
:, of all the homes provided by the differen
4 states in the union.
) Woman's Relief Corps.
S cit would be impossible for me to com
: mend too highly the admirable organiZa
0 ton which honors us by being our auxil
RI larry Not only do they assist and comfor
vi the individual veteran, caring for him Il
slsickness and in death, looking after hi
o children and aiding with material assist
q lance as we'll as kindly sympathy hi
: widow and orphan, but to the posts as