The National tribune., 1891-09-03
SECOND DAY.
The Changes in the Ritual aud the Consii-
tuition.


tuition.
MINNEAPoLIs Aug %.
Full Of strange significant was the sight
when the Mayor OF Minneapolis stood before the
Sons Of Veterans this morning at the beginning
Of this the second days session. and ia bchallof
the municipality babe them welcome. On the
platform, facing the scores and scores Of young
men whose fathers had fought for the presrT-
walton Of the Union, stood the Chief Exccu-
tive Of the city, who during the war Of the
rebellion had braycly fought in the ranks Of
the South. Under such circumstances tho
words Of Mayor Winston, an honorable eX.Tcbel
soldier, were full Of marked significance You
arc worthy scions OF that llustrous, sturdy
stock who performed many wOndr8us, marvel
Gus deeds OF hcroism aud vaiOr in honor aud de-
Tense Of the best and freest Nation on the face
Of this earth"
IN fitting phrase Commander in Chief Webb
responded TO the warm words OF welcome, aud
then the CommandeTy- in Chief rot down 20
work During the whole day there was bust
ness from start 10 finish.
The morning was largely taken up with
discussion Of the report Of the Committee on
Ritual. This report was the result OF deep
study. Much was involved in H. and great tact
was needed to make IL satisfactory.
The main point was the question Of the new
ranks. The committee favored two ranks. one
strictly military, the other civic. Some Of tho
members wanted three degrees one military
and two civic, aud there WAS protracted dis
cussion over this point There was some rlrli1-
mcntary skirmishing, but the report was finally
adopted.
There were many suggested changes as 10 the
ritual. The general instructions 10 the caudi.
date are 10 remain practically unchanged. The
opening ceremony is condensed with the sub
stitutiOu Of several PUst-system phrases. The
order Of business Is slightly changed aud con-
.slo Fal4 I'D
with the doEology beginning Praise God from
all blessings flow"
The obligation Of the GAR comrades re-
mains unchanged: the muster-in ceremonies
| slightly condensed; organization ceremonies
| unchanged; installation ceremonies much con-
deused aud the Post system Of burial service
slightly amended. 10 Is proposed also 10 have
three instructive services, one Tor each quarter
under the direction Of the Chaplains, represent
/ ing the formative or Revolution epoch, the con-
/ structiyo OF Constitution epoch, the pre-crva-
/ tive or Rebellion epoch OF the c0untry's history
with appropriate quotations, taDIeauE aud iau-
/ tern pictures
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the afternoon session there was another
protractcd discussion over the proposition 10
raise the age Of eligibility from j. years 10 o.
! Past Commander-iu- Chief Griffin led the forces
/ FOR the majority age, but the COMMUNICATIVE
Chief decided 10 make no change in the age
| When this was disposed Of the question Of
tho constitutional changes came up, and here
| again there was prolific discussion. The COM
| mittce made number of radical Tec0mmends-
| tions. EpIt0mizcd, the changes recommended
| were as follows:
The abolition Of all official military titles;
the establishment Of a military rank within
the Order; the Commandery-iu- Chief to au-
| thorizc the Commander in Chief 20 aupJlut
Commandaut and a committee Of five members
as a Commttce on Military Rank, who shall
report plans for the same at the next Encamp-
mcut; past officers % retain their h0uoTs but
not their titles; al decorations 10 be worn Ina
accordance with the regulations Of the United
States Army; the entire constitution 10 be TO-
giscd and corrected.
IL is understood that the Committee had in
serious contemplation the omJOdying Of an
other recommendation, viz, that all past honors
b. abrogatcd. This report prccipitated a yigor.
Gus fight, which was carried Oh with much spirit
and occupied large share Of the afternoon
session.
HARD At WORK.
The evening Of the second day was devoted
10 business, the time being fully occupied ill
midnight.
Epi,omized the legislation enacted was as
follows:
Charters for new Camps shall not be granted
unless there are - candidates. ANY member
dropped from a Camp whose Camp had gone
out Of existence can obtain an honorable dis
charge on the payment Of fee Tho fec for
new charters shall be between SO and $50.
The maximum per capita tax which may be
levied by the Cuinmandcry in-Chief is 20 cents
per annum. The per capita tax 10 be levied by
a Division Commandery upon members Of a
Camp is raised from % 10 60 cents per annum.
The Commanders Of Divisions are empowered
20 grant dispcnsations TO Camps TO muster APP
plicauts upon the same night that their appli-
cation IL presented. The Commanders Of Di-
visions are empowered TO declare forfeited the
charters Of Camps that fail to make reports and
pay per capita tax for one year.
Whenever an officer is found guilty Of mis-
appropriation Of funds the court shall have no
option bat 10 expel the guilty party from the
Order.
An male descendants OF soldiers or sailors
OF the Union army are hereafter eligible the
clause reading before Iineal descendant"
! only.