The National tribune., 1888-10-18
SONS OF VETERANS.
First Annual Convention of the Sons of Veterans
Of the GAR.

The Sons of Veterans of the GAR held
Convention at Brooklyn, N. Y, Oct. TO- II and
IL. The meeting was opened with an address
by Commander-in-Ch Chief John J. Bowling, of
Albany. About 100 delegates principally from
Posts of New York, New jersey aud Pennsyl-
vania, were in attendance. After the transac-
ton Of routine business Past Commander Mar
tin Short, OF Mansfield Post, made a cordial
speech of welcome to the Convention. in which
he referred to the noble aims of the Order
Comrade Short is Police Captain of the Fifth
Precinct, and Que Of the most popular Grand
Army men in Brooklyn. He was followed by
Department Chaplain Smith, Of Hudson, n. Y,
who delivered an eloquent address and depicted
in glowing language the services and sacrifices
of the fathers of the young men before him in
the momentous years Of 1861 to 1865.
In the evening parade was held which was
one OF the largest ever seen III Brooklyn.
After the parade reception in honor of the
delegates was given at Grand Army Hall, fol-
lowed by dancing and dinner
On the second day great deal of business
was transacted, including the adoption Of a new
constitution and II code of bylaws in conform
ity Herewith. The changes made in the fun
damental law increase the similarity of the Or
der TO the Grand Army Of the Republic and
strengthen the ties which exist between the
two organizations A communication from
Gen. Abbott, of Chicago, Commandcr-in-C Chief
of the organization of the Sons of Veterans
based upon what is known as the Camp sys-
tem," proposing measures for a consolidation of
these kindred Orders, was received and a COM
mittee appointed to consider the plan. The
differences between the Camp system" and
the Post system" on which the association
whose National Encampment met in Brooklyn
is founded, are thus described by Asst Adjt.-
! Gen. Williamson:
The Post system similar in form and regulation
| to the Grand Army OF the Republic, the origi-
| nal plan of organization when the Order was
| founded in 1879. The Camp system was started in
1882 by dissatisfied q r. men and Sons of Veter-
! ans who seeded from the Post system. The Post
system admits only the Sons of Veterans; the Camp
| system admits also grandsons, stepsons, nephews
! and other members of the family The Post sys-
| tenn is modelled after the GA. r.. the Camp system
takes its pattern the Confederate Veteran organ
| ization The Post system eschews shoulder-straps
and big military titles, which the Camp system af-
fects.
The election of officers of the National En-.
campment for the coming year resulted after
hot contest as follows: COMMANDMENTS
Chief, George w. Marks, Brooklyn; S. V. c.,
Alphonso Thowat, Union, N. j.. j. Y. c..
Joseph Schroeder Philadelphia, Pa; Chap, VIM
II. Kloppell, Brooklyn ;ssnrg, James McNanus
81. D., Brooklyn. Commander-in-Cbief Marks
appointed the following-named comrades mem
beIs of his staff Adj't G. i. Finehout; O. NJ.
Benjamin Raphael; ms, c. j. Kueisel. The
time of the Post annual elections was changed
from September to December Philadelphi;
was chosen as the next place for holding tht
National Encampment, to meet in September
1859.