The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-03-14

u 10 US one VINO was at the same
time a veteran and a brother, has been
transferred to the company which is
passing to that bourne fIom whence no
traveller ever returns. How this ad-
monlsheS US. that. even the youngest
or the veterans are nearing old age
and that we cannot have them with us
long; but the memory Of our beloved
Northumberland reminds US that as
we meet year after year. and exchange
fraternal greetings, that friendships
are being formed as strong as that of
David for Jonathan, or of Damon for
Pythias.
Brothers, when accepted the Office
of colonel for the second time. although
l succeeded myself, realized fully
that the machinery of Kansas Division
was not in perfect running order, and
that much adjusting, refitting and oil
ing was necessary to make it equal to
the strain TO be borne during the COM
ing year. / had the ambition to see
the Grasshopper Division take its pro-
per place among the ranks of her sis
ter divisions.
There was white harvest to reap,
and there was grain already garnered
to be winnowed and aired that it might
not become musty by inaction. wished
for growth in numbers, but more than
this desired growth in interest. AS
to the attainment of this ambition to 9
certain extent you are already cogniz-
ant; but it becomes my duty to further
give an account of my stewardship by
showing the material growth of the
order in this state by giving data as to
its present condition.
At the beginning of the year
good start was made; but as
all of us know early in
June the interest in all orders sue
cumbed to politics. Brother was array
ed against brother, and for time
camp meetings almost ceased through
out the division. During the summer
and fall but few new camps were mus
tered, but this time was used in CORES
ponding with camps that an awaking
might take place after the political ex-
citement had died down. The looked
for reaction commenced in December
and since that time all camps seem TO
be vieing each with the other to see
who shall muster the most recruits.
By referring to my report for last
year, find for the four quarters of
1887, "A camps paid tax on l ,58S men,
beers. For the four quarters of 1888, 81
camps paid tax on 1912 members. If
we add to these IA camps that have
been mustered in since January /, with
| a membership of 229 we have 90 camps
and 2,O71 members in good standing
to-day in the division. This of course
| does not include a single camp that is
| in arrears, so that in spite of the po-
litical excitement good growth has
been made.
Financially Kansas division, unlike
many other divisions, is on a solid
basis, being out of debt and having a
| surplus of $l3S cash on hand, and S61 20
worth of supplies.
This is not as much actual cash as
was on hand year ago, but at that
time we had not single piece of Office
furniture, while now we have furniture
valued at Sl03 so. When I took the
reinS two years ago l soon saw the
need of having a quantity of supplies
on hand at the time of change of adj
ministratiOn, that the new colonel
might not be compelled to order imme-
diately; hence l have made heavy
orders lately and supplies are on hand
for over a dozen packages. But for a
more full and complete condition of the
| division affairs l ask your attention to
the repsrts of my adjutant and quar-
termaster, which believe to be correct
in every particular. The bane OF our
division seems to be the lack of interest
manifested by the brothers of some
CAMPS.
They will not attend camp meetings,
| a quorum will not be out, and finally
they cease entirely to hold meeting and
as a result reports are not sent in; the
camp dies and the charter is declared
forfeited. Fourteen camps by so doing
have had their charters forfeited dur
ing the past year. This is very wrong
as by once letting a camp die, the pros
pecls of ever having another in that
place are in nearly every instance
ruined. Some OF the camps who sent
enthusiastic delegates to the encamp-
ment last year have by lack of interest
died during the year. Let this be q
warning to each and every brother in
attendance at this time, and let us each
here resolve that my camp shall not e
down in this year to come.
One of The causes of lack of interest
, is the carelesSness with which camp
affairs are conducted. The brothers
are boiSterouS, noisy, given to prac
tical Jokes and boyish prankS anC
captains have a hard time to maintain
proper
; DISCIPLINE.
Officers should be elected for whom
| the brethren have the utmost respect
/ and their orders should be Obeyed
, Every officer should commit his part OF
the ritual and should deliver it in al
= impressive manner, especially during
THE MUSTER OF RECRUITS.
D A regular squad should he drilled ant
: the sergeant of the guard should tax
pride in doing his part of the music
ceremonies IN such manner that re
cruit will be impressed thereby, and a.
a result have better opinion of the or
der. Another cause for want of inter
Y est is the lack of information as t.
q what the order is doing, etc. In mos
= instances the first sergeant and cap
. tain are to blame for this. All infor
d nation as to the growth of the division
f and the order at large, is given in tn
!. GENERAL ORDERS
of the colonel and the commandment
= chief, but these. in some instances, ar
i never read, and if they are attention i
: not given them, and often letters o
d inquiry are sent to division headquaT
tiers in regard to something that ha
appeared in general orders.
General orders should be filed and b
3 of access to all brothers, and should
l. read by them. Too little attention ha
l. been paid to the making out of
>, QUARTERLY REPORTS.
W In many instances they are not mad
out at all, but per capita tax is sent i
70 for the camp, leaving the adjutant an
It the Quartermaster to guess at reports
:, or wait until they can write for then
g. AS an instance of the Importance {
a. having all reports on file. the case {
e, Charles Butin camp, of Fredonia, ma
re be cited. a recent fire destroyed the
b. tall and camp property, but every II
E. port since the organization of the
re camp was on file at division headqua
Is tiers; hence no trouble was had in NAL
n ing the description book.
)y THE INSPECTION
IN of last year as shown by Inspectt
Id Nations report was a success, al
Sc while it showed improvement in mar
d, camps, in others sad state of anal
p existed. Ritualistic work was not cuu
ur mItted, camp books were poorly KEEP
general orders were not on file ar
many other matters had been neglec
ed, in which any camp, no diffeFen
how poor as to finance can be profcieu
ON 4 great improvement has been ma,
in the inspection blank, ano thou,
inspection takes place in April almo
ne Immediately after the adioJIrnmant