The National tribune., 1885-06-25

The passage of resolution is respectfully recon-
mended that will suspend Post Commanders from
oihce whose Posts 10 day in arrears for reports
invest Department Commanders with discretion
airy power TO reinstate them when reports are
made, reduce Them TO the ranks repetition Of the
ofense, and make them ineligible 10 reelection
Tor one year thereafter.
LOSSES.
S,tspension.-Early in your administration it was
discovered that under the prevailing system it WAS
impossible to harnIonlZe the reports IF many De-
partinens on account of rregularity of reports of
Posts Ii was therefore, by your direction, and for
the purpose of showing in reports, nearly
possible the actual working strength of the Grand
Army OF tie Republic, ordered that the member
ship of Posts delinquent for reports be accounted
for as suspended That upon Post reports being
made, they would be accounted for to these Head
or quarters for which they were delinquent. 1t ap-
pears by the reports OF the quarter ending March
81, 1885, that 10 Posts with total membership of
1881, are SD accounted for.
This system has made IL possible to show by con-
soildated reports the exact number in good stand
ing and make the reports agree one with the other
The experience of the year has demonstrated the
benefit OF this pan but it Is recommended that my
successor III preparing blanks for the coming year,
prepare space thereon Tor this special class,
der head Of delinquen;s, and by that means sepa-
rate those members actually suspended for pay
ment of dues from those lost to the number in
good staining 10y the reason that Posts under
the ban " for delinquency in reports.
There have been reported suspended during
the past year 81, ,292 members ard 29,9i9 members
have been reinstated within the same time; still
leaving the enormous number of SO 343 members
who are now suspended. OF this number q ,0ss are
suspended Tor non-payment of dues, and 3, ,534 for
delinquency of reports.
This ratio of suspension will soon outnumber
gains frcrn all sources. 1t is believed the remedy
should be applied through the Inspection Depart
ment that every Post should be inspected at least
twice each year, and new and weak Posts imnedi-
ately after each quarterly report in the discretion
OF department Commanders, the expense TO be
borne by Department Headquarters. 1t would
cause considerable outlay, but in the end prove
economical measure.
The Departments of Utah and the Gulf exhibit q
loss in the table of gains and losses which does
them apparent injustice. Both Departments would
show creditabe gains but for the transfers herein
before mentioned.
Discharges and Trdnsfers-Thcre have been 25ls
members boncrably discharged from the Order
during the past year; 1888 comrades have taken
transer cards from their respective Posts 43S of
them have again become members of other Posts;
2,43l comrades from this cause remain non aili-
oted 32I members have been dshonorably dis
charged during the past year
Dedu.-Iinse passes and the silent reaper Is not
idle. Reports for the year show that Of our
numbers 254l have answered at their last ro-call
and joined the silent army gone before. Whitening
hairs and the lapse of time admonish US that but
should draw us closer together in fratermal bonds
that keeping the elbow touch, we may present an
unbroken front until the end.
OUR CHARITY
Reports OF amounts expended for the relief of
comrades are very unsatisfactory Many Posts
and IN some cases entire Departments, make no
reports OF amount expended comrades relieved.
The following shows the amount reported as