The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-11-12
OPINIONS ON GRAND ARMY RULES.

BY PAST coNMAEDER-IS-CHTEF r. E. EEArH.
tNoTICE.-Inquiries Grand Army matters Of
general interest and proper for publication will be
answered IN this column by Past COMMANDMENTS
Chief Beath. 1t will be of course understood that
such answers are simply personal, in the way Of
Hu iee which one ccmIade may properly give
other. Questions requiring official answers must
De submitted to the proper authorities.l
j. r G., Scranton, Pa, asks if Contract Surgeons
are eligible to membership in the GAR
1t was decided by Opinion XCIX March %. Is-9
that they are not
G. w. s, Burdicksville Mich propounds several
eonundruns: First. Can Post be moved from one
town to another. Second. Does it take two
thirds vote to so remove Headquarters Of n Post
from the town where it was first established
This question of removal has not been officially
passed upon, as the point is different from that
raised under Opinion LXXVII, Oct. 81 1877. par.
H. page 10, Blue Book but L believe there are
circumstances where the removal of Post from
one town TO another could be sanctioned by the
department. Commander. Without his consent a
removal could not be made and it would be en-
tirely competent for majority of the Post to ask
for such approval
+. B.-When q Grand Army hall is dedicated
Tor Post purposes can the Post hold dance there
it?
This Is matter entirely in the discretion Of the
Post. There is rule or law to forbid it. The
bringing together of members and their families
ana friends for social purposes ought to be en-
couraged, and these meetings, when properly con-
ducted will greatly benefit the Post
1t may be doubted, however, whether a dancing
party can be of such service for the simple reason
that the large number of members are physically
lncapaeitaed from tripping the light fantastic and
many of the remainder who do join in, would show
OFF more to advantage sitting down
The success of a dancing party must depend on
the number of young people who can be induced
to attend, and the majority of Grand Army men
will be simply on-lookers.
ihere are many ways in which Posts can cult
vate social gatherings that will better advance their
own interests, and one night in each month should
be devoted to this purpose during the Winter
j. W. K, Blandford, Mass. asks if s. Post can be
organized with less than 20 members
The Rules and Regulations permit the oreaniza-
ton OF Posts the application of not less than 10
out the Department Commander may exercise his
own discretion as to whether it is to the interest of
the Grand Army of the Republic to form such a
Post (See Sec. 2, Art. l, Chap. s. r and r. Ex-
perience has shown that such small Post, cannot
be maintained, and that unless much larger num-
Der consent to join in the first instance the Post
VIII be too weak to maintain proper o.aslizaton
Whatever may be said for or against such con-
clusion, the law clearly invests the Department
Commander with such discretionary power.
c. s. H., of Dayton Home complains that he has
been rejected by a Post on account of his color
ana asks II that Is bar to his admission to the
GAR.
1t certainly IS not, for there are quite number
OF coiored Posts and also coIored members other
Posts in various parts of the country. Our core
spondent can only conjecture that this was he
cause of his rejection. There may have been u,.-r
reasons, but if he is correct, while it may sha- 4
lack of proper fraternal spirit on the part c- se
Post, where the colored soldier cannot get erot..ls
of his own race to form a Post, yet the matt )
practically in their hands, as members eann.i e
forced to vote for the election of persons the %
not want in their Post. If c. S H is deservin and
has the recommendations he mentions, we trust
Veteran Post will reconsider its action.