Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-05-13

The And annual cncampment of the
Grand Army Of the Republic. depart
ment of Vermont as we'll as the annual
meetings Of allied patriotic and military
organizations opened in this city yester.
day morning and continued IN session
both morning and afternoon. A rousins
campfire was held in the Armory last
evening.
GRAND ARMY.
the Grand Army encampment was
opened in the Armory at 10 O'Clock a.
m. Commander G. T.. Beach presiding
Following the formal opening there was a
roll call of officers and roll call of re
personalities. The various reports were
submitted and referred 10 the several
committees. Commander Beach delivered
his annual address which was in part as
follows:
ADDRESS or DEPARTMENT cont
MANDER.
Comrades Again we meet in Annual
Encampment for the forty second time,
and if we should pause and look bac
we could see how fast and surely We are
on the down hill side of life, 1t is over
forty-four years since earned our
membership in this most honorable or
der. for with the muster out of the old
army in ls65 the doors Of cl sibiity we're
forever closed
desire here and now to thank my
comrades for the great honor so unani-
mousy conferred upon me at Montpel er
last year, by choosing me as your COM
ma ndcr The care and responsibility
have been great, but the honor has been
greater.
LEGlSLATlON.
Commander BLoWn last year recon-
mended in his report that the State la W
relating 10 the wearing of badges be
amended. The matter was properly
brought before the Legislature and Sec
ton 5,779 of the Public Statutes was
amended as follows. viz
Section 5.719. A person not entitled by
the rules and regulations of tine depart
ments Of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. Sons of Veterans, Womans Relief
Corps, Ladies of the Grand Army of the
Republic or of any patriotic, secret or
charitable society, who wilfully wears
badge. button or insignia of any such
society, or uses the same TO obtain as
sistanCe within this State, shall be inn
prisoned not more than thirty days or
fined not more than nifty dollars. on
both"
Also. in carrying outthe wishes OF the
comrades contained in a resolution
presented by comrade r. s. Peck the
following bill relating TO flags on school
premises, was passed:
Section |. The board Of school direct
ors and the corresponding Officers in
school districts shall cause to be erecte ed
on each school house, or on the premises
belonging thereto, a suitable flag pole
and shall, while school is in session
therein. cause United states nag to
be displayed thereon
! would ask YOU to thank the comrades
who were instrumental In having this
matter presented to our Legislature and
made a part of our laws. | hope that
all comrades will Interest themselves
and see that they are properly executed.
MEMBERSHIP.
The matter of increasing our member
ship lies very near the hearts OF many
comrades and If all would unite in one
great effort large part of those out of
our ranks would come in before ii Is
too late Early in the year | realized
that our comrades were not working as
they might for recruits and | asked Mrs.
Nellie NJ. Smythe, Department Prcs-
dent, Woman's Relief Corps. to recon-
mend for appointment on my staff, as
special aide and recruiting officer, ono
faithful, earnest worker from each corps
in her department. This was carefully
done and ! appointed 66 loyal and true
women whose one object. above all others
the past year, has been to Induce the In
different and careless veterans to take
their places in the ranks of the Grand
Army Of the Republic The results are
not as large as | hoped for, but | believe
many were persuaded by them to join
| or rejoin our ranks. And TO this band of