The National tribune., 1910-09-22

231.O14
Losses
| BE death $3.50
/ Honorable discharge. 365
| transfer .......... I'6I5
1 Suspension 9,SUi
From delinquent reports. 5O3
Total losses. 17.113
4 Members in good standing Dec.
| 81, 1903 zI5,sol
Total number remaining sus-
/ pended Dec. 81, 1903. S,Sl9
I Number dropped during year. 1852
Number Posts that surrendered
/ charter IL
Expended in charity during
| year ............... $91, ,215.36
Members and families relieved. 2,162
Others than members 643
! The loss during the year was 6,781.
The loss by death is unavoidable; the
! loss by suspension is ineNcusable. With
the large suspension list eliminated we
] have actually made a gain or secured
more members than have been dropped
on account of death losses. That may
seem strange; still ii is true.
While the G. A, r. is diminishing
army caused by orr large death rate.
yet there is no excuse why those en-
/ titled to membership should not join
our ranks. From the latest informa-
| ton obtainable from the Commission
/ er of Pensions, there are on the PEN
sion roll 562, 600 names of civil war
/ veterans, and the Government estimates
626,231 surviving ex-soldiers t6J,G00
are not drawing pensions). 1t viii be
thus observed that about one-third OF
the ex-Union soldiers belong to our or
/ ganization. Every effort was made. this
year to recruit from the large number
who should be with us in our efforts to
aid our comrades in their declining
years. We did well, but the large num-
ber of suspensions wiped out our entire
gain. Our work as an organization
| would be much easier and more effec-
tual if all would do their full share.
/ Many men in good circumstances and
influential i'll their communities say
hat they have no need OF the G. A. r.
This may be true, but the G. A. r.
needs them. 1t is doing, and has done,
d grand work, not only for its mem
bers, but for all old soldiers, and its
influence in securing legislation to re-
lieve suffering and distress would be
greatly Increased, il it's membership
were doubled as it should be. 1t is not
fair for those who have been immeas-
urably benefited to refuse to support
our Order, which has done, and is do
ing. so much for them.
Death n Of Past Commander-in-Ch Chief
Gtn Goblin.
IT is said ~Deati1 loves a shining
mark. .'a1 It is certainly true in the de-
mise ofathe late Comrade Goblin. We
snail miss him. lie was man of
ability, Character and a tireless worker
In and for our Order. His death is a
distinct loss tosthe G. A. z. In view
! OF his distinguished services ard the
nigh esteem in which he was held by
his comrades T Would recommend that
a Committee be appointed to prepare
suitable, memorial and that q page in
our journal be set aside for its publica-
ton. sCf
While honoring the memory of our
iamented Past Commanders-in-Ch
let us not forget the 5.32S tried and
true e9Wradesf who this year crossed
deaths dark river. We should not only
3seply deplore their departure, but
should tender TO their relatives and
friends our deepest sympathy in. their
ilpIr of affiiction.
| Death, however, is the common lot
of man. Soon We. too, will join those
gone before. but. while we remain let
is strive TO be more loving and help
ifui 20 each other. never forgetting that
I've are bound together by the ties of
Icomradeshjp cemenfed in blood.
Conclusion.
Before surrendering the Office you so
generously gave me, l want to thank
lyou again and again for the distin-
guished honor you conferred upon me.
1 did my best. I regret / was not able
to serve you better. Whatever meas
ure of success has crowned my efforts
is due to the excellent help of my Off
cial family and staff of efficient work
/ ers
To Senior Vice Chief
VIM. NJ. Bostaph and Junior Vice Com
Chief Alfred p. Beers / am
Especially indebted. When l found it
impossible to attend Eneampments they
cheerfuily. and efficiently represented
the National Headquarters.
/ In this connectiop, 100, / want 10
commend Judge-Advocate-Ge General Rus
sell r. Pea1er. His work has been ar
duous, but well performed, as you win
discover by reading his report
Our National Patriotic. Instructor,
John y. Lewis. has brought to the office
great ability and has in a marked de-
gree emphasized the need of patriotic
teaching. He secured excellent re-
CULTS.
As matter of fact the Inspector
General, Vim. F. Conner. Surg.-Gen
!; VIM. n. Lemon and Chaplain-in- Chief
Rev. Daniel Ryan have been Jealous in
the performance of the various duties
/, devolving upon them, and the Chief of
Staff, Suas f. ToNier, has been most
faithful. and industrious in the dis
charge of the many duties pertaining
TO mis- office.
! The funds of the Order were safe
guarded by our. excellent Quartermas-
ter-Genefal Cola u. r. Stowits ably
seconded by Assistant Quartermaster-
General J. Henry HcIcomb. The Quar-
termaster- Generals report will show
absolute accuracy, with every dollar ac-
counted for, and the purpose for which
it was paid.
But am especially indebted to AdTt-
Gen. George o. Eddy. No Commander
in-Chief has ever been more fortunate
in the selection Of an official. His work
has been well. done, and il any credit
is due do this isifadminiStration it should
be given rather ITO him than to your
Commander-in-Ch Chief ] fear the Com
mandertinC Chief will get the glory,
while the patient, persevering, pains
taking Acknowledgement does the great
er portien of the work.
am uunder lasting obligations not
only to,Hy official family and staff, but
} to- the ,eDtiEe membership of the G. A.
r. can neverbsufficiently thank you
for the, honor MOB have conferred upon
me, and for YeuH loyal support during
my terp4of Office.
Grateful acknowledgements.
The position Of Commander-in-Chie
is not only an, exalted, but a precious
one. Speh a prize ought to satisfy the
ambitiqp, of al}S1 man. 1t has proved
true inIn1y case, for l deem this honor