Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1916-06-15
Thirty Third Encampnlent
Soouth Dakota Department
Grand Army Of Republic

Grdnd Arm
The thirty,third annual encampment5
of the Grand Army Of the Republic,
of the district OF South Dakota, CON
vened in this city Tuesday forenoon,
with very gratifying attendance.
The Woman's Relief Corps and the
Sons of Veterans convened at the
same time, with a large attendance
in each association.
But it is noticed that the ranks of
the Grand Army of the Republic is
growing thinner and thinner with
each passing year, for the Civil War
closed in 1865--fiftyone years ago
and many of those who were muster
ed out of the service at that time
were beyond their teens in age,
which would now place them beyond
the seventy-year mark.
But it is likewise true that thou
sands of the boys who wore the blue
more than half century ago, In de-
Tense of the unity of the nation and
the perpetuity of free American In
sSifutions, unhampered by the pres
ence of human slavery, were still
within their teens, being but mere
boys. That's why there are still 40
many young "old mem, among the
numbers of those who annualIyron-
gregate to commingle with one an
other after the lapse of years.
Committees,
B The following committees were ap-s
pointed by the G. A. r. at the open
ing of the session Tuesday: 4,
Credentials-T. G.; Jean of Plank
inton, j. B. Eeddes, r.. Sebul of Pierre
and H. H. DeLong OF Canton,
Resolutions G. Luce, E. p. Farr
of Pierre, J. N. Lowthian of Milbank,
g. A. Near.
oficerss reports NJ II, Carr OF
Parker, H. D. Jennings OF Pierre,
Thomas Morris.
Good of order-F. II. Brown OF
Sioux Falls, Ave Van OsdeI Of Yer
million, Captain Van Ellen, AZ Bev-
eridge of Sioux Fans, C. a.. b. Fox
of Sioux Falls.
A committee consisting of ID B..
Murray, j. G.. Luce and O. r.. Etsen
was appointed to confer with the
Women's Relief Corps regarding the
proper observance sof Flag Day.
To Care for Soldiers.
The following resolutions were un-
animously passed at the morning ses-
sion of the first day:
Whereas, our beloved Past De
partment Commander, O. S.. Clifford,
did, while in his good health, prepare
a set of bills to present to the legis-
lature Of South Dakota at Pierre then
in session, asking that the legislature
pass such laws as would permit OF
the caring for certain soldiers and
their wives in their own homes; and
whereas Comrade O. s. Clifford was
taken frDm among us without finish
ing this good work, now, therefore
Resolved, that this encampmenf
ask their incoming commander to ap-
point committee Of three to pre-
sent this matter to our next legisla-
ture, which convenes this next jan
uary, and ask that the members OF
such legislature create a law similar
to those of Iowa and Minnesota, COW
ering this class of old soldiers who
need help, and under the present
laws cannot receive any. And fur
ther that Ihis committee be furnish
ed with a few copies Of the digest Of
different states gotten out by Past
Department Commander Thomas II.
Brown, while he was commander of
this department, said digest showing
just what most of the states do fer
this class Of old soldiers. = 7,
Tuesday Nights Campfire.
On Tuesday evening, with Rev. f.
e. Stockton, of the Sons of Veterans
committee presiding, there was an
enthusiastic and largely attended
campfire.
j. b. Mather, also son of a vet
eran, welcomed the Grand Army Of
the Republic and allied organizations
to the city Of Watertown, Mayor Al
z. Hopkins being absent He spoke
briefly but eloquently, and assured the
city's guests that the keys OF the city
are theirs. III
G. G. Perrin, commander Of Freeman
Thayer Post Of this city, and Mrs
Carrie Rowe, president of the local
Nv. R. G., also extended brief vel
come.
Responses were made by g. S. !
Blodgett Of Rapid City, Phil Lawrence
Of Huron, Mrs. Van Ness Of the state
w. r. g., and others.
Among the other speakers of the
evening were the following: n, H. |
Hendershott, Mrs Carrie BahrenbergI
OF Illinois, Mrs. Jennie b. Hill of
Fargo, and Mrs. Cleveland.
Governor Hyrne.
Governor r. M. Byrne, now com.
pleting his fourth year as the chief
executive OF the state, was present
during the evening, occupying seat
on the platform. He was called upon
and responded briefly, but III a very
satisfactory manner. pleasing alike to |
the members Of the allied orders and |
TO the people Of the city who were
present.
The governor i remarks were based
upon his conception of Americanism
and what It represents not IN the
sense OF self-adulation as peoyle.1
but concerning the things TINT the
great republic stands for and the
ideals and the hopes and the aims Of