Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-09
Opens 9Th Annual En-
csnpment at Bangor.
Cordial Welcome 10 City from
Mayor John F. woodman.
Division Com. Mecann's Report and
PariInsnt Suggestions. 4


weather marked the opening Tuesday
of the 9th annual encampment of the
Maine Division, Sons of Veterans, and
the 18th annual encampment of the
Maine Division, Sons of Veterans Aux
iliaries in this city. Seventy-five dele
gates from the Sons of Veterans camps
and q delegates from the auxiiaries
were present. Reports of officers were
read at the 10 O'Clock meeting, and
all reports indicate enthusiasm and ad-
vencement all along the line. Mayor
John F. WoOdman addressed the dele
gates at a joint meeting at 9 o'clock
in welcoming speech marked with
sincere cordially.
A grand ball was held in City hall
this evening.
The election will take place Wednes-
day afternoon.
The records show that there are 400
members of the Sons of Veterans in
Maine and AL members of the Auxili-
airy bodies.
Il have found that the spark of
patriotism that burned so brightly in
the hearts of our fathers, and the germ
OF filial devotion lie dormant in the
hearts of the second generation" said
Division Commander w. H. Mccain Of
Lewiston in his annual report. 1T is
only by persistent solicitation and the
most strenuous effort on the part of
the members Of the order that re-
cruits. in the majority of instances. are
secured. ! am pleased. however to
note an increase in our membership
during the year"
1T would seem to me- lie said, with
the fast depicting ranks of the Grand
Army as a daily reminder that with
only a few more years the last men,
Der Of that most noble organization
will have answered to the last roll
call, that those eligible to become
members of an organization pledged
to p"rpetuate the memories and keep
green the graves of our noble sires
would flock to our ranks
Commander Mccain said that six
new and live camps had been institut-
ed under his supervision; that five
long dormant ones had gone out of eX-
istence; and that together with his
Office work for the order he had seen
the new ritual distributed and put tC
use with manifest satisfaction To all
His support was heartily given to the
movement for Veterans Night" when
the younger men should meet with the
older men for mutual inspiration and
benefit Many camps have acted or
this suggestion. His work of inspec-
ticn was gone over carefully and he
reported the expense of the office as
l.
tions for the Sons OF Veterans Me
mortal University have been small
amounting to s37 Al,
He paid compliment to his aids
16 In number, and spoke of the II char
tiers for camps which probably will be
mustered in the succeeding year. His
summary OF recommendations follows:
Per capita tax, Y cents, as last year;
salary, division officer. 500. as last
year; authorization of printing 200
copies If proceedings of Encampment
and Auxiliary; inspection of division
by member of this division; sentiment
toward Memorial University to be eX-
pressed and put on record: instruction
OF dele gates to- Chief Encampment tt
oppose increased tax and to reduce
present eXorbitant tax: substitution OF
past division commanders badge for
jewels which have been used; abolition
of resolves authorizing issuance OF
monthly orders, these having proved
not worth the labor and cost; institu-
ton of organizer, to be paid com
mission for organizing new camps. sun
to be fixed by division council from
membership fees so secured.
The social feature of the program
Tuesday was the grand military bail
held in City hall Tuesday night. Prac-
tically the entire number of delegates
was present with guests in full uni
form Spirited music was furnished
by large orchestra and during tho
grand march there We're over 20(
couples in the circle. Owing to the
large crowd. the program had to u
great extent be abandoned Sessions
will continue Wednesday.