The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-12-06

that no one can mistake their meaning, while the
intent is not changed.
CALL FOR DEPARTMENT CONVENTION.
All through the work of revision watchful eye
was kept on every point affecting the harmony and
relation between Corps, Department and National
work Nothing bore such strik ing evidence of this
necessity as the sections authorizing the call of
Conventions, had the section Department
Conventions been expressed. rs was the National.
instead Of being implied, much good would have
resulted and the struggle in Indiana averted. The
two were made to conform" The advantages of
having Convention meet at the same time and
place as Encampment are manifold, the dlsadVan-
tages rare exception, with remedy provided.
RITUAL.
In connection with other reyiSions that on
Ritual. This we have tried to make in conformity
TO Rules and Regulations the principles of the or
ganiz,,jon nd 5rIers If c,Iras,jn, To do On re-
quired entire rewriting of certain portions
wherein many necessary changes and explanations
were made that uniformity might be secured
IN the disposition of the old Rituals the order of
Convention strictly carried out. To
pense they were ordered brought to the various
Department Conventions to be exchanged for new
ones, and there destroyed by the Department OIL
GERS.
SERVICE BOOKS.
The revision of the Service Book has been I'M
fortunate, and since the Convention at Portland 1t
has been presented each year in a crude or unfin-
ished condition, and again returned to Council or
committee for reconstruction.
At the Council meeting subsequent to the ST.
Louis Convention the National President was in
structed to revise the Service ana forward to Ma
be fully accomplished proof was received from
committee, bearing n few changes from the report
presented to fifth National Convention. Not hav-
ing received the minutes of that Convention, was
unaware of the existence of a committee and was
following the instructions of the Council. The
members of this committee were also members
present at the council meeting, and voted to have
National President revise the Service After duly
considering the matter my work was suspended,
every point of the proof submitted gone carefully
over, changed to conform TO Rules and Regulations
and our rtuastic work and returned to committee;
but not being acceptable to them was eventually
Withdrawn, and the committees report, together
with the revision made at National Headquarters
Is submitted to the supreme body, that a matter
so long neglected may be broughttO final issue.
The demand from every quarter was and is, for
improved and perfect work. The fact being pub
lished that new Service Book was issued, would
had either OF these revisions been printed and
failed to meet this demand it would have been
financial loss to the Order OF at least 81 600 There
fore, looking to the good of each individual Corps
and again in the interest of economy, assumed
the prerogative of my Office and ordered printed
cheapiy in paper covers and to be distributed free
IA sufficient number to supply Department Con-
ventons and for the of Instituting and Install
ing Officers until brought before National Conven-
ton for decision.
The organization of a Corps precedes the install
latlon OF It's officers, and too much prominence can
not be given to the importance of thorough and
systematic instruction in the beginning. AS the
success of a Corps largely depends on this, an
Order of Business" " was formulated. whereby all
Installing and Instituting Officers can follow the
same line OF instruction This form IS puDllSneO
with the installation service, and the earnest aten-
ton of Department Presidents is called TO the re-
sponsibiliy that rests upon each for the standing
and department of every Corps within her jursdIc-
ton. Care should first be taken In the selection of
charter members, not that they may be many, but
right. Then with earnest organizers uniformly
drilled, each familiar with and naturally adapted to
the work Corps may be formed that will be a last
ing benefit and pride to the Posts for which they
are created. The energies Of our gifted women
should be bent toward the thorough and correct
instituting of Corps, as the influence then exerted
will never lose It's power The installation service
should be both beautiful and attractive, suia-
bic finish to the important work preceding it, but
IL should be remembered it is only ceremony.
consecrating to sound cause the best efforts OF
those who are to guide and direct 1t.
LIFE MEMBERS.
wish to call the attention of this Convention to
the fact that when in these courts of deliberation
change is made whereby governing laws or
principles affected regular action must be
taken To amend Rules and Regulations TO corre-
spond Herewith else said action being imperative,
is null and void. In this National Conventions
have been lax, never more so than when creating
life members and neglectfng TO amend the Rules
and Regulations providing for such officers and
their duties.
COUNSELOR.
Comment having been made on the change in
spelling Counselor, and our authority questioned,
IL is herein given The first badges made after ere
ating the Office spelled C-ou-n ci-l-or, which
was unquestionably incorrect, as that word Is de-
fined lone of a council" while the officer this
arose, shall Worcester or Webster be followed and
two 81 - be used? After long and careful
research the decision rendered in General
Orders No 2, current series for the following rea-
sons: Webster is the accredited authority in large
territory and spells Counselor with one ~; the
spoilers rad text books in our public schools use
one the books and official blanks of our coun-
seors- law have but " ~ and the tendency
of the period is to simplify spelling To these Is
added the fact that tue first incumbent of this office
was appointed and installed as National Counselor.
GET READY YOUR CHRISTMAS DINNER.
The Memorial and Executive Committee Of
Kings County, New York, are again at work to pro
vide their annual Christmas dinner for unfortunate
soldiers and their dependent ones. The Christmas
Carol. in aid of this, will be out early in December
Last year ,23O families, consisting of 606I, were
given a bountiful Christmas dinner, and TO meet
this demand 527 barrels and boxes of vegetables
groceries, fruits etc, and ,424 pounds of poultry
Total valuation of goods distributed, 81, 1898
And all this provided by the school children o.
Brooklyn, by each carrying TO school some fruit
vegetables, or package of condensed or dried goods
The children enjoyed the giving and the Union
| veterans and their dear were for one day
happy. Why cannot this custom be everywhere
initiated this year, Edward A. Dudley, of the Me
mortal and Executive Committee, will send you
circular showing just how it is done, you will ad
dress him. Room Il, Basement, City Hall. Brook
| Ign, n. Y.