Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-14

4 ss~s~' Oss L
has come to be known as the Flag,
the dog, and the Governor" Com
nlander Gay said: About noon June
End 1t was reported to me that the
Governors dog was dead and that
tional flag at the State House to be
placed at half mast In honor Of the
dog. I Immediately called the Of
fee of the State superintendent Of
buildings, asking If the report was
true and his Office stated that it was
at the order of the Governor that the
flag was placed at half mast. at
once called the Governors office and
was informed that the Governor was
on his way to Portland. Finally l
got into communication with Gilbert
r. Chadbourne, secretary to the Gov
ernOr, who was very cordial to me-
Il told Mr.. Chadbourne that l
greatly sympathized with the Gov
ernor in his loss but as a represen-
, tative Of the Department Of Maine,
G. A. r., 1t was my wish and duty to
enter a protest to having the flag
placed at half mast in honor of the
reath OF a dog. About two hours
al teI, MI. SIlduDOulIlC NdlACu AliO OiN
said that he had entered my protest
with the Governor and that the Gov
ernor had ordered the flag placed at
the mast head.
1.-THE flag was placed at half mast
while the dog was being taken to his
resting place. then as he had planned
he had the flag placed at the mast
head. practically saying that pro-
tests had no weight with him.
MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day. instituted by the
G. A. r.. has been observed each
year for more than half century
with faithful devotion to the mem
Dry of our noble dead. AS our
ranks are growing thinner and thin
ner, and as the years pass on. we
are no longer able to march slong
column to the graves of our depart
ed comrades. 1t seems to me that
the time has comeswhen the G. A. X.
must depend largely upon the aid OF
younger and stronger men for the
proper observance of Memorial Day.
We certainly appreciate the efforts OF
the American Legion in their kind
ness and comradeship in the observ-
ance Of this day.
1--WE also appreciate the work done
by the various auxiliary organiza-
tons connected with our body and
its affiliated organizations.
CONFEDERATE FLAGS
"The request of Governor Baxter
concerning the captive Confederate
flags now in the state House, that
they be returned to their Southern
owners, brought many letters Of pro-
test to me, asking that the Depart
nfent use its influence to prevent
this action. The request of the Gov
ernor was referred to the Legis-
lature. The committee reported
ought not to pass. in the name OF
the G.. A. r. lasked Governor Bax-
ter to delay action in the matter I'M
til after the assembling of this En-
campmcnt. A letter from the Gov
ernor in reply to my request was re-
ceived and will be read by the as
sistant adjutant general. If 1T be
true that Eternal vigilence is the
price of Liberty it is just as true
that eternal vigilence is the price of
keeping what you have. When the
S1st Maine Legislature was finally
adjourned, I was thankful"
Commander Gay referred to the
efforts made in behalf OF the Bursum
pension bill before the last Con-
gress. and in speaking Of President
Hardings veto Of this measure after
it had passed both branches, SAID:
II am aware that there are different
opinions regarding the wisdom or the
Justice of the Presidents veto. but
the undenyable fact remains that the
men who fought the battles of the
Civil War have given vastly more to
the nation than the government has
ever given or ever can give to them
or their widows.
II wish to make plain my sincere
gratitude and to express my thanks
to the loyal women Of our state Re-
lief Corps, our National Relief corps
the Ladies of the G.. A. r., the Daugh-
tors Of Veterans and the Sons OF
Veterans Auxiliary for all that they
have done for our Department. We
all are aware that every Post that
holds it's charter has behind 1T some
of these organizations, and that 1t IS
only by their cordial support That we,
the Grand Army of the Republic, ex-
list as an organization.
eft is with the consciousness OF a
great personal loss and sorrow that l
report the passing away OF my chiel
Af staff, Comrade O. O. Stetson.
Comrade Stetson died Oct. 90. 1922.
He was n member Of Co. B. 32nd
Maine Inf, and a charter member or
Cutler Post, No. 4S( a past senior
department vice commander, past
post commander. and for many years
ouartermaster of Seth Williams Post
OF Augusta. ,oo,
comrade of the G. "A. K, am sure
the sympathy of the Department Is
extended to his bereaved family.
,,atf of routine business
were taken care of yesterday at meet
ings held both in the forenoon and aft
ernoon and several short talks were
given. one by Major George A. Hosley,
chief Of staff at Boston, Mass.
Greetings from the allied bodies will
he extended at the gathering this MORN
ing. the final matters CT business will
be transacted. and in the afternoon the
members will enjoy trip to the Ma
tional Soldiers Home at Togus.
Governor Bakers Speech
After telling the veterans and their
auxiliaries Of his pleasure at being
able to be with them to say a few
words. Governor Baxter. at the con-
cert and reception at City hall last
evening spoke in part as follows:
"IVhen I study the history of this
nation and of other nations I marvel
that more progress toward peace has
not been made. 1t almost seems as
though each generation must undergo
the trials Of war and pay the price
that war entails. Those of vou- who
have seen and taken part in the clash
of arms and who have seen the SUI
ferings of men stricken down on the
field OF battle, realize as others cam
not what the price really is. Not
withstanding all this the spirit Of man
responds when the call comes and
there always seems to be a readiness
to serve the nation in q crisis.