cent; 1879, 21 per cent.

From the latter year, because of the rapid growth in Pennsylvania and
New York, and of the reorganization and great increase of the
departments in western states, this percentage was rapidly decreased to
six per cent in 1885, but for ten successive years the official
national reports accord to Massachusetts, in all respects, the position
of "the banner department." In April, 1868, Commander-in-chief Logan
issued his order for the observance annually of the thirtieth of May as
a Memorial Day, "for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise
decorating the graves of those who died in defence of their country
during the late rebellion," and the ceremony into which so much of
tenderness and patriotic love has since been wrought, was most heartily
inaugurated in this department.

Comrade F. A. Osborn succeeded Commander Sprague, occupying the position
during the year 1869. Within his term, a new ritual, establishing three
grades or degrees, was adopted by the National Encampment, largely in
compliance with the desires of the members of the western departments,
against the earnest opposition of Massachusetts, where was a strong wish
to "let well enough alone." This change was the first adverse blow felt
in this department, where not only was the rapid and continuous growth
of the organization retarded, but in a single quarter ending Sept. 30,
1869, there was a net loss of one thousand seven hundred and nine
members. But this was partially recovered during the subsequent three
months, and the Assistant Adjutant-General was able to report at the
close of the year, one hundred and seventeen posts, with nine thousand
members. During this year there was put in operation the system of
careful inspection of the several posts by department officers, which
has since become a part of the national regulations, and which, from its
inception in this department, has contributed so largely to the
efficiency and growth of the organization. With the retrogression of the
western departments, Massachusetts in this year went to the front in
point of numbers, as confessedly also in perfection of organization and
completeness of Grand Army work, and held that position until 1880, when
Pennsylvania passed her in point of membership. It will be impossible in
the limit of this article to speak in detail of each distinctive year's
administration, but the numerical loss of membership was not the most
serious result of t