Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-26

 years,
 If these men are proceeding on the ! principle that the political and moral | influence of the c, A. P. has become 1 so weakened by the lessening of it's | ranks, then let us as an organization i rise in our might and protest against ! the injustice of the existing situation. | If that proves unavailing we can at l least exert sufficient influence to take ! away from those unprincipied men this | spring holiday which was brought | about by reason of the influences Cf | G. A. R. men, and to whom they have l been so ungrateful, by causing the | transfer of the observance of Memo | rial day from the 30th day of May, as was provided, to the last Sabbath of | May,
 Support of The Public
 Such a course has been advocated | by the comrades of various depart l ments, and unless the people at large | rise to the occasion and severely frown upon any and all attempts to ! turn this holy day that belongs tO the | soldiers into a holiday for sports, that 1 must necessarily be the ultimate re- suit
 The public should ponder well whether they desire this days respite from their ordinary labors to be stricken from the calendar, and gov ern their conduct on Memorial day accordingly
 Affiliated Organizations.
 To the w. R. C., the ladies of the 1 G. AR, the $. of " Auxiliary, the Daughters of Veterans, we extend oiir best wishes, thanking you for "ourte- sies extended, and hope the peasant relations will continue.
 
 Pensions.
 There are many brothers in cur order that are prominent in the public | service of state and nation, ( nd through them and the influence they are capable of eXerting by reason of their position, we should bring to bear such influences as We may be able to put forth as camps and Individuals. To this end l would recommend that my successor appoint a committee to CO., operate with the department com mander of the G. A. R. in influencing the Connecticut representatives in congress to vote for such pension hills as are of advantage to the deserving comrades residing in this common wealth.
 Conclusion.
 You reposed great confidence in me when you elected me to the office of commander of this division. I have worked faithfully to deserve that con- 1idence. l have tried to c;trry out your wishes and to keep The division on the high plane that it nas the right to occupy. l have great faith in it and in those constituting it's membership. ] 1 thank you from the depths of my heart for the honor and confidence re- posed in me, for your loyalty and for bearance as well l bespeak for him who follows, first of my officers, that they give to kim in the ranks the same loyal support given me in service; to my brothers in general, do better by him even than you have by me. let every man be d worker. With a firmer faith and trust in Almighty God as the creator and pre- server of our nation, with a greater devotion to my country. it's princIDles and institutions, with a deeper love for my father and his comrades, of the CNil war, and with q growing be- lief in the work of the Sons of Vet erans, l retire to the ranks, not to be a has or forgotten, but tu work with the boys as merely one of the | boys.
 Loss in Membership Shown.
 For the year ending March 31, 1912, tne division secretary made the fol- lowing showing:
 In good standing. March 31. 19I1-I 59 camps, 1872 members.
 Gains--Initiated 131; transfer 4; reinstatement 12; total 1,819.
 Losses-Death Il; honorable dis charge 15; transfer 3; suspended I'll | members and camps.
 Remaining in good standing-S6 camps and 1,619 1fembers.
 Net Loss@53 members and camps. Treasurer Allen showed in his an- nual report total receipts of sI,6O9 90. total expenditures of $1,192.66; q bal ance of $41724; where the balance last year was $35.39. The consolidated camp reports showed balance on hand at beginning of the year of $2.516.22. 1 receipts $5,425.66; disbursements S5,082.82; balance in hands of camp | ueasurers $2.859.45.
 G. A. R. Department Commander.
 Commander w. H. Dougal, depart- ment of Connecticut G. A. R.. gave the convention a stirring talk and ad | Journment was taken about , o'clock. |
 Officers and Delegates Present.
 The following were the division of- 1 hcers and delegates present: Com | mander Alvin o. Fairbanks, Norwich l Senior Vice Commander Charles H, ! Bissell. Southington, Junior Vice Com | mander William H. Hartley, Water l bury, Secretary-T Treasurer Allen T. Pratt, Hartford; R. T. Acorn, Hart 1 ford, delegate to national encamp- | ment Arthur L. PeaIe, Norwich. cor l respondent for Banner" and Past | Division Commanders Willis N. Bar | Der, Dr, Charles W. Roberts and Ralph M, Grant.
 Camp Delegates.
 No. 2-George w. Thoms, Jr, Harry 1 P. Gregory, Stanford. l No. 4-Arthur L. Peale, George A. keppler, Henry Peale, IT, Norwich. 1 No, 6-Commander Harry J. Park | CT, c. w Roberts, R. T. Alcorn, Ralph | M. Grant, Charles L. Slocum, F. s. 1 Young, Hartford
 No. 7-F. H. Nectar, W. N. Barber, l No. 9-c. II. Bissel1. southington. No. 11~Commander William H. 1 Hart, H. c. Hubbell. Bridgeport. No. 19-George Richmond. Mystic. No. 2l-E. E. Robbins, Putnam. No. 27-Joseph J. Mulligan, East Hartford. No. SO--Dr. F. W. Darmer, Daniel son.