Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-21
SONS OF VETERANS.
An Organization That Has a Mem
bership Of $4,000.
ITS OBJECTS AND IT'S HISTORY
1t is Designed to Perpetuate the Memory of
Those Who Fought for the Country and
to Inculcate Patriotism-Its Leading Mem
bers.

The veterans who left their homes and their
friends to fight for their country are not the
only ones who are interested in the great cele-
bratlon, for there are nearly $4,000 members Of
the organization of the Sons of Veterans, who
take pride in honoring the memory of their
fathers. OF this large membership several
thousand lake advantage Of the annual oppor-
tunity to celebrate. and this year is not an
ceptonal one. The members of the local camps,
Sons of Veterans. have been making prepara-
lions to receive and entertain their guests, and
they were materially aided by the members of
the Ladies' Aid Society. The Sons of Veterans
organization is probably the most prominent of
the auxiliary societies connected with the Grand
Army of the Republic. Its membership as the
name implies, Is made up of SONS of the vet
Grams of the civil war who were honorably
discharged, none others being eligible
to membership The eligibility clause of
the constitution Of the organization pro-
vides that they be not less than eighteen
years OF age. Like all other organizations there
are certain declarations which the "Sons' must
make before becoming members of the order.
He must declare his belief in Supreme Being
and must profess loyalty to the United States
government.
In applying for admission candidate must
present proof OF his father having served in
the army or navy and his application must be
recommended by a member of the camp. A
committee Investigates the candidates standing
and the camp proceeds to vote the applica-
ton, two black balls in twenty votes being
enough to reject the candidate. who cannot APP
ply for admission to any camp within the fol-
lowing six months and then only with the con-
sent of the camp that rejected him. The OBJ
Jects OF the order are to preserve the memories
OF the veterans in the civil war, to aid the G..
A. r in caring for the disabled and helpless
veterans, to assist deserving members of the
order and generally to inculcate patriotism.
Provision is made in the constitution for the
transfer of members from one camp to another
and provision is also made for leave of absence,
transfer or discharge.
1t is required that regular meetings of each
camp shall be held monthly. of which one shall
be in part regularly devoted to historical and
patriotic exercises under the direction OF the
chaplain.
1t Is in the power of the commander to call
special meetings for the transaction of special
business concerning the welfare of the camp.
The camp commander. senior vice camp
commander junior vice camp commander asd
camp council consisting of three members
are elected at the first stated meeting in Deem
Der. by ballot, unless ballo. be dispensed with
by unanimous consent.
The camp council looks after the investment
of the surplus funds of the camp and recon-
mends measures for preserving and increasing
the camps funds and attends generally to its
As the order is non-sectarian and non-politi-
cal. sectarlan or political topics not allowed
within camp.
THE CoMMANDERY-IN-cHIEF.
The commandery-in -chief is the head of the
Sons of Veterans. 1t makes all needful rules
and regulations of the order. The commandcry
gives all the instruction necessary to maintain
uniformity in government and sees that i'll all
the different branches of the order the
orders faithfully and fully complied with
The commandery-i is made up of its
own elective AID appointive officers. with but
few exceptions-past commanders who served
full term Of one year or those elected to ill q
vacancy. past captains. Representatives and
Others The annual meeting is held in August
or September of each year. Provision is made
fox the punishment of olfenses committed by
members. and rules and regulations governing
them are laid down in the Constitution and by
laws
FIFTY THOUSAND MEMBERS.
The membership this year is something like
fifty thousand, divided among the states from
Maine to Florida and from New York to Cali
at III tn4,