Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-18
THE G. A. r.
CONTINUED from page -
gallery fronts and banners and shields
were placid with excellent effect

The spacious hall was filled when the
convention was formally called to Or
der.
The members Of the grand encamp-
ment occupied the floor and other men,
bers of the Grand Army had seats in
the balconies.
Prayer by the chaplain in chief, Win
field Scott Of Scottsdale, Arizona, OPEN
ed the proceedings following which
Commander-in-Chie Black delivered
his annual address:
In his annual address, Commander
in-Chief Black took occasion in OPEN
ing to refer to the question Of immigra-
ton. He declared that the Grand Army
Of the Republic owed 1t to those who
f1ocked to the shores Of America to let
them know how high should be the
character and how ample the prepara-
ton of those who seek the privileges
Of blood-bought franchises and how
complete should be the responsibility
n those in public places, to the Amer
lean requirements for citizenship and
oficiaIism. 1--WE should In no uncer-
tain words" said Commander Black
give notice Of our beliefs and our de-
sires for pure, exalted, enlightened citi-
Zenship to the end that what we have
won, shall be kept by those who are
fit for the sacred trusts. we must re-
linquish to our successors.
One the subject of pensions the COM
mander urged that further attempts be
made to crystaliZe into statute law the
provisions Of the executive order pro-
mulgated by the commissioners of PEN
80 hipb pDl1G
for the pensioning of veterans who
have passed the age of G2. and VINO
shall bn considered disabled one-half
in ability to perform manual labor,
and shall be entitled to pension rang
ing from IS to s12 month. He pointed
ont that the names Of Abb new pen
sioners were placed on the roll during
the year, while 40. 156 were dropped for
various causes. The entire cost of
maintaining the pension system for
the year was s144 942. 937. In the year
previous 1t was Sal, 752.S70. The pen
eion roll decreased from 996.545 PEN
sioners in 1903 to 904.762 in 1904. net
decrease of 1888 for the year. The num-
Der OF civil war widow pensioners made
q net gain Of $50, reaching 253,960. Inc
cost Of the pension system since the
beginning of the government has been
So PA 4f2 exclusive of the expense
of the soldiers homes and the granting
Of bounty lands.
Mr.. Black urged departments to take
necessary steps for the sub-organiZa-
tion of posts and out-posts in order
that scattered members might come to-
gether for fraternal greetings. Speak
ing of Memorial day he recommended
that pvertures be made to all the So
cieties and ill the people of the Re-
public to help make Memorial day the
grand American Sabbath of time.
Dwelling finally upon the Grand Army,
Commander Black said:
Its great mission IS not yet fully
performed. We. it's members, have
noble duties that devolve upon us. to-
day. We are entering upon n higher
plane and marching under a more
cloudless sky than ever yet witnessed
our banners-we are becoming exemp-
lars and teachers of those things that
nre greatest and best in our history
Wherever the Grand Army exists, there
spirits Of the mighty abide with US anc
the tneming recollections of noble
struggles are about us: and as we &c
in or out throughout the daily affairs
Of life, our hold perhaps weakening q
little on temporal affairs, we make 2
stronger grasp upon those things thai
make to the greatness and the splrn-
dor of the government of the people
Adjutant General Partridge's repor
showed that the members Of the G. A
r. in good standing. June 80, 1904
numbered 246.261. a net loss during the
year of 1929 The number of post:
dropped during the year from 6i26 t.
6149 During the year ending June 80
$1OO.594 was expended in relief. In 1S9'
the high water mark of membership
4O9,4S9 was reached. but in succeeding
years there was n falling off. The loss
by death I'm 1904 was 1929 or 3.52 pei
cent, as compared with 54I6 in 1890
or 1.33 per cent In closing, the adJu
tant general presented table showing
the number of names appearing on th'
roll of the encampment as 14il, VIII
n voting strength of 1893.
An abstract of the report of Charles
Burrows. quartermaster general. is a!
follows:
A sound financial condition through
out the Grand Army of the Republic
was reported by Quartermaster Gen
eral Burrows. and this in spite of a de
crease in receipts from per capita ia:
and profits on supplies. The total as
sets are s2SO7O24, or s497.7S less thai
last year. The report continues: witt
proper economy and due regard to bus
mess principles. We may safely expec
to meet our obligations without in
creasing the taxation for some year
TO come.
"The response for aid to the South
ern Memorial Fund was generous am
widespread. coming from the auXilar
organizations and a greater number c
posts than usual. The balance in thi
fund Is sufficient to meet next year
needs. 1t seems necessary to have i
this fund an amount sufficient so tina
proper provision and distribution ca
be made in time to enable our comrade
in the South to arrange for the observ
ance of Memorial day, as contribution
are not received in time for use tn
year they are called for"
Tn presenting the repOrt Of the com