The National tribune., 1889-09-19
SONS OF VETERANS,
Annual Encampment of the Command
ery-in-Chief at Paterson, N. J.

The National Eneampmcnt of the Commnndery-
inChief, Sons of Veterans, was held AT Paterson,
n. j.. Sept 10, H. II, ID and H. When the meeting
was called 10 order on the morning of the first
days session, 100 delegates were present The re-
| ports of the officers were submitted
The Adjutaut- Generals report showed that the
membership gained 10y the muster of new Camps
during the past year was 1900 men. The total
number of Camps mustered 2J6. The mem
bership gain over the gain of last year was 10000
men.
The Quartermastcr- General showed marked
increase Ia the financial standing of the Command
ery-in- Chief.
The Inspcctor-C General showed mark ed increase
IN the military features of the Order. The Inspect
ors report shows an increase of over loo per cent
IN hrst-class Camps and proportionate increase
in the second class The ritualistic work is carried
out IN all the Camps in very satisfactory manner.
Hugh &. Irish Camp, No. -, is the largest Camp
IN the Order, and Is of the best both in respect
TO The ritualistic work and financial standing. The
report of the Inspector General showed lsi Socie
ties OF the Ladies' Aid Society OF the Sons of Vet
Grams U. :. A. The Inspcc,orGcnera stated that
he would suggest the adoption oi the descriptive
book rs used 10y the State of Pennsylvania after
they have proved its feasibility.
Col. Bagaiey. of the Committee on Resolutions
TO the Ladies' Aid Society, Sons of Veterans, OF
fered n resolution thanking them for their kind
greetings and well wishes and hope that the
Ladies Aid may become one of the strongest ala
societies In existence.
The Judge Advocate &C eneral then made a
plete report OF the work of hs Department for the
past year.
The Surgeon General made a report of his work
for the past year, lie stated that there are 92o
members IN the state militia; number OF deaths
los; number able To bear arms, $4,000 There are
over 800 members over the age OF 10 yehrs me
Oldest of veteran resides in New y ork and IL
aged O. years. There are 7l3 Grand Army mem
bers ia the Order. This report shows that the or
ganization has eco farmers in its ranks, and over
1000 professional men. This record only includes
reports from So Camps.
The reports were ali referred to the Committee
on Reports OF Officers.
In the afternoon the parade was held In spite Of
the incemency Of the weather
Hugh c. Irish Camp. No s. of Paterson. tender
ed grand banquet to the delegates in the evening
The hall was crowded, and the menu, which was
an excellent one, was enjoyed by all. Music was
furnished during the evening 10y brass baud. Let
tiers Of regret at their inability 60 bc present were
read from Gen. W. T. sherman, Henry Nevins,
Past Department Commander OF New Jersey,
GAR; Mayor BaneTt aud others. Toasis were
responded to rs follows: "0ur Country" by Hon.
John w. Griggs; The Sons Of Veterans, L. :. A.,
tonmander-in-Chief Abbott; department oil
New Jersey, GAR" w. II. Miller; "Ciy of Pat
erson, the home of Camp s." Judge Scott; Ladies'
Aid Societies" W. ID. q Brien; Our Fathers" w.
i. Marchbank; " The Ladies'" Chas ID. Shaw.
At the second days session Past COMMANDMENTS
Chief Payne who had been court-martaled and
dishonorably discharged from the Order for APP
propraiing funds belonging 10 IL, was given hear
ing. He stated that the money which he was
charged with cmbezzng from the funds OF the
Sons OF Veterans was never appropriated by him,
but that on account OF business troubles lac not
able 10 Immediately turn over all the money In his
possession, rs he had invested part in real estate
convert u into cash, requested. Mr.. Payne then
retired and the Encampment took up the regular
order OF business and approved the finding OF the
court-martial.
The contest for the position OF Commander-in-
Chief was lively one and resulted In the selection
Of Col. Charles T. Griffin OF Indiana on the i2th
ballot. The election was made unanimous.
The other officers elected were as follows: Lieu.
tenant-General, ii. H. Bagaley, OF West Virginia;
Major General Capt. George w. Poilitt, Of Pater-
son. il was decided 10 hold the next Encanpment
at II. Joseph, Mo.
Resolutions Of coincidence on the death of the
child of Past Colonel Hammer, OF Pennsylvania,
were adopted
Hon. Charles r. Griffin, the newly-electcd Com
mander- Chief, is the Secretary OF Indiana. lie
was born at Crown Point, Ind, June 10. 1857.
During his boyhood days aud early youth he
worked on the farm in the Summer time, and
attended school IN winter finishing his school
education at the Quaker Academy at Spice
land, Ind. At the age Of Is years he began
teaching school. occupying his spare moments In
the study OF law. His father who was n Major In
the Union army was parHlyzed by injuries received
In the service Of his country, aud though man Of
great ability, lac was practically helpless for 20
years, requiring the almost constant care OF hiS
son until hs death. thus causing young Griffin TO
deny himself many advantages aud pleasures COM
mon 90 boys Of his age. lie began the practice Of
law Ia bis native town when he was % years old,
and rapidly climbed to the top OF his profession
In 1881 At the age Of -, he was appointed ns
Assistant Attorney General of Indiana aud WIS
subsequently made Chairman al the Republican
Campaign Committee 81 his County. lie was a
delegate TO the Republican National Convention in
1903 Afiu was appointed 10y tie Governor Lf ISIS
State to collect aud CANVASS the electoral vote lie
was unanimously chosen by the Republican SEN
atOFs for Secretary OF The Indiana State senate
Ia 1856 be was nominated by the Republicans for
Secretary Of state of Indiana. made "a brilliant can
Fass OF the hRte. max ing about hundred speeches
and was elecied-Tunning ahead Of his ticket In
the state lie u the youngest man ever elected 20
that high Office ia Indiana. and probably ia tie
United States He performed his official duties
with such ability that he was renomiuated by ac
clamaiion and reelected Secretary of State laEt
Fail after another brilliant canvass Of the Stale
Ar Griffin has had considerable experience in
military affair. having been for several years
Captain Of a militia company IN his native town
He was atcrward appointed a Major Of the Sd
regiment Indiana Legion. which position he
now holds. lie IL member OF Link Camp Sous
OF Veterans, Of indianapolis, aud Aid ON the
staff Of CommaHderin-Chicf Abbott He was by
unanimous consent chosen deiegale-at- large from
Indians last year To the National Encamprneut OF
Sons Of Veterans AT Wheeling. where he made
many friends by his genilemanly conduct and
modest demeauOr.