The National tribune., 1892-08-25
AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES AND
REGULATIONS.

AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES AND
REGULATIONS.
A circular from the Chief
publishes the amendments which the vari-
Gus Departments ask to have made to the
Rules and Regulations of the Grand Army
of the Republic. These are not nearly so
numerous as has been the case with pre-
vious National Encampments, nor are there
indications of as stubborn fight over the
propositions as has been had heretofore.
The Department of Arkansas asks that
Article ~, ChRpter !, be amended SO as to
read:
No person shall be eligible to membership who
has at any time voluntarily borne arms against the
US.
This will bring up the old dispute as to
whether any man who served in the rebel
army shall be admitted to membership in
the GAR, and we shall again hear the
strong arguments that can be made on both
sides-the pleas made for the loyal East
Tennesseeans, Virginians, Arkansans, and
other citizens of Southern States who were
forced into the rebel army and escaped from
it at the first opportunity, and enlisted in
the Union army, and the counter-plea that
any such alteration would admit thousands
of rebels who enlisted in the army to get
out of military prisons.
The Department of California asks that
Section a, Article ", Chapter V, be amended
by adding:
When a comrade is reinstated by Post other
than the one that dropped him, such Post may
charge in addition to the one years dues above
provided, such fee as may be agreed upon, not ex-
ceeding the amount charged upon an application
for membership by transfer.
The Department of Massachusetts wants
the Inspector General authorized to "har-
monize the differences in Ritual and Service
books"
The Departments of Missouri, Oregon and
the Potomac ask for return to Quarterly
Reports.
uc department. Ol NCW 1OIk dShS
Amend article * Chapter " by new section:
Sec. v. No person shall be entitled to wear the
badge of the IA r. unless lie is member in good
standing of regularly chartered Post of the
GAR"
Recommend the annulment OF Decision No. &c.
Blue Book. p. H. holding Acting Assistant Sur.
geons ineligible to membership. The Attorney
General Of the United States having since ruled
that such Acting Assistant Surgeons were hon
orably discharged OIL completion of their term of
service.
The Department of Ohio seems to be the
only one that is maintaining the old fight on
the "House of Lords" 1t recommends
that
Past Command dersiin- Chief snd Department
Commanders be honorary members of the National
Encampments without votes
The Department of Pennsylvania
Asks for legislation enabling the General Gov
ernment to purchase the Gettysburg battlefield,
and establish National park thereon.
Upon resolution from Post 10 report favorably.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. H. 1892.
ReSotUcd- That this Post heartily commend Cen
eral Order No. 4. current SERIES dated Headquar-
iers r., Nov. 4. 1891, to the attention OF every
comrade; and earnestly request the Department
Encampment of Pennsylvania, at its February
session. TO ask the National Encampment to take
such action thereon will emphasize the senti-
menis expressed In said order. sol
The Department of Tennessee asks for a
change in the form Of inspection.