National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-13
THE VETERANS.
Old Soldiers Engaging in q Eariia'
mentary Battle.

The National Veteran Club met at their
new quarters in the Corcoran building last night,
General j. Hale Sypher in the chair and Major ii.
d. Norton secretary. Upon assuming the chair
General Sypher returned his thanks for the honor
conferred upon him by electing him president,
and pledged his best exertions for the welfare of
the club.
Recording Secretary Norton then announced
that the gentleman elected recording secretary at
the last meeting had been dropped from the rolls
some time ago, and suggested that he be imme-
diately reinstated and properly elected. This was
ruled out Of order, and the regular order of bust
ness proceeded. Under the head of unfinished
business there came up the proposed amendment
to the constitution relative to the amour. of
monthly dues, and a substitute to permit the sus-
pension of dues in the case of such members as
desired to simply become campaign members and
retire from active service until the next presiden
tial campaign.
This question was discussed at some length until
the chair ruled the substitute out of order; upon
which an appeal was noted from the decision of
the chair. The chair was sustained, and the orig
lnal amendment proposed, for increasing the dues
10 fifty cents per month, then came up. motion
to lay this On the table was made and withdrawn,
and the amendment then came up for vote and
was lost by a vote of to- By unanimous vote
the club then rescinded its action by which the
from tine rolls, and he was duly installed as re-
cordng secretary.
At this juncture Comrade SIN tn took the floor,
and said that he desired to read for the information
of the club petition, which, had his motion to
amend the constitution prevailed, he would have
offered. Objection being made, Comrade Roome
moved that the paper be received and read. This
being adopted. Comrade Smith proceeded to read
the petition, in which upward Of one hundred
members prayed for the privilege of withdrawing
from active membership until April, 1884, when
they desired TO take an active pat with the club
in the presidential campaign.
A motion to lay the petition on the table was
ruled out of order, the chair holding that in re-
ceiVing the paper it was already on the table.
A stormy discussion then followed, which was
generally participated in, Comrade Smith claim
ing that, as he had simply read the paper for in
formation, it was not in the custody of the club,
and the chair ruling that under the motion Of
Comrade Roome, it had been received and read,
and should be placed in the hands of the recording
secretary. motion by Comrade Roome that, as
the paper had been introduced under a mis-
apprehension, Comrade Smith be permitted
to withdraw it, was lost by vote of
IS to H. and further discussion was cut off by a
motion to adjourn, which was also promptly voted
down. The chair then announced the regular
committees, after which the club adjourned to
meet next Tuesday, the 10Th instant Comrade
Smith was thus technically deprived of the privi
lege CT Withdrawing the paper, but it was noticed
by THE REPUBLICAN, reporter that he went of with
it in his pocket