The Washington times., 1903-03-26
KIT CARSON POST, GAR,
OBSERVES ANNIVERSARY
Portrait Of Surviving Char
ter Members Presented.
An INTERESTING PROGRAM
Commando Halbroolz Protests Against
Displaying Veterans in Govern
melt Service.

The .saia hail OF the g. y. Y. building.
1912 Pennsylvania Avenue. was filled to
overlooking last evening with friends
and members OF kit Carson Post. No. ..
G. a. r. assembled to celebrate the
thirty-si2th anniversary OF its orEani-
zation. An elaborate program consisting
OF music. rccitauous and eloquent ad-
dresses bad been arranged by the en-
tertaiument committe under The direc-
tion of Col John Brcsnahan chairman.
AZ the regular meeting OF the post,
which preceded the literary program
last evening. occurred a pclusing cere-
mouy- A handsome crayou portrait OF
Col l.. r.. Cutler, the only surviving
member OF the post when IL was o-Ran-
lied iu 1857. was presented on behalf of
Mrs. Cutler. and accepted by Col E II.
Bol6rook on behalf of the post.
Promptly ar s O'Clock the assembly
call was sounded by the post drum
corps. The address OF welcome was de-
livered by Col f. Il. Holbrook, the post
commander.
History Of the Post
Colonel HoIbrook referred to the early
history OF the organization when IL was
organized I'm the old Capitol prison.
March 20. 1867. by ten old soldiers. and
OF its growth in numbers and influence.
Commander HoIbrook said:
The membership of Kit Carson Post
undoubtedly embraces a larger number
OF organizations Of the Union on land
and sea than any other post in the
country. whether military or naval.
Every State and Territory that furnished
men 10 the Union cause has its repre-
sentatives in our ranks. We take great
pride I'm having enrolled upon our roster
90 many distinguished soldiers and
sailors prominent in the administration
and leadership OF the armies and fleets
or the Union. whose names have become
household Words
The speaker said the immediate duty
and present effort OF the members Of the
posts OF the Department Of the Potomac.
is 10 increase their membership and 10
recruit their ranks from those soldiers
now residing in the District OF Columbia
who are uot members Of any post of the
order.
THE Mason and odd Fellow" he said
'are surprised that all men DO not be-
come members OF the order which means
so much to them. The pious man won
ders why ell men do not become mem
bers Of the church Of Christ. The G. A
r. man is unable to understand why all
old soldiers do not join the organization
which embraces all that IS good in all
these other orders"
Displacing the Veterans
Referring to the tendency 10 dispIace
veterans in the civil service Of the
Government. Colonel HoIbrook said:
Patriotism. gratitude. and kindly
feeling sor those whose devotion TO
country made il possible for this beauu-
fuI city TO remain the Capital OF great
and united country seems to have been
forgotten. and young men and boys ua-
bIushingiy demand the places and posi-
tons now occupied by men stiU in the
prime OF manhood, 90 whosl the United
States owes more than it can ever pay.
and who have made the civil service
what IL Is today"
At the conclusion OF Colonel HoI-
brook address. the exercises were turn
ed over TO Colonel Bresen han. chairman
or the entertainment committee who
acted as master Of ceremonies.
Among the speakers OF the evening
were Mrs. J. L. Foster. the famous 20
liticaI campaign speaker. who paid
glowing tribute 20 the soldiers OF ihe
United States. and Hon. W. E. Andrews.
First Auditor OF the Treasury who de-
Hvered an eloquent and patriotic ad-
dress.
Col T. c. KlmbaH. department com
mander. who delivered the concluding
address Of the evening. told OF the
work OF the Department OF the Potomac.
and said the principles OF the organi-
ration were fraternity. charity. and
loyalty. lie paid tribute TO the early
commanders Of the post and 20 the only
surviving charter member OF The or
ganization, Col L. b. Cutler. who was
seated on the stage. and was accorded
an ovation.
Among those seated on the stage were
] Past Senior Vice Commander chief
John McElroy. Department OF the Po-
tomac. senior Vice Commander a. Hart
Department Of the Potomac. Col b F.
bingham. past commander, Department
OF the Potomac; Col. T. g. Klmball. com
maudcr Department Of the Potomac:
Col John r. King Of Baltimore. past
commander, Department OF Maryland
Col r. H. HOlbrOOk. commander Kit
Carson Post. Assistant Adjutant General
p. r. Chase. Assistant Quartermaster
General A. p. Tasku. Medical Director
DR. Calvcr. Col l. b. Cutler Col. John
Brescnhan, Col Gilbert @. Knimn, Hon
W T. Andrews. Mrs. J. +. Foster and
Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey.
STERNBURG DECLINES TO