The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-11-08
Commander-in-ChiefB undy Issues General
order No. THE New Ritual Military
Regulations-SeIect Good Captains.
HEADQUARTERS CHIEF, !
Rooms 2l1-2I2 LINCOLN INN COURT,
CINCINNATI, o., Oct. %, 1894. J

General Orders, No.
Series OF 1894.
The new edition of the c., r. and r., as
amended by the Commandery-in- Chief at the
Davenport Encsmpment is now in the hands
of the Quartermaster-General aud ready for
distribution.
On recommendation of the Commanders. the
charters of the following Camps are hereby
annulled aud declared forfeited: Admiral Far
ragut Camp, 1. st. Louis, Mo-; w. L. Sherman
Camp, 10, Macon, Mo-; Gen. w. II. 7. Steece
Camp, 49, OlueyviIe. r. /. These Camps are
more than six months in arrears for reports
and per capita tax.
The Commander-in- Chief at the Davenport
Eucampment ordered the old Blue Book to he
abolished, and directed the compilation of
new one. Until tho new one is published, Camp
pack will contain copy of the book.
Division Commanders are requested TO urge
upon Mastering Officers the Importance of ex-
ercising particular pains to have all names
written plainly and spelled correctly. Com
pliarce with this request will save National
Headquarters much annoyance.
The resignation OF A bert &. Blaisdell rs Com
mander OF the Division of Massachusetts, WAS
received at these Headquarters Sept 6. The
resignation was accepted Sept. z, Col. Blaisdell
having qualified as lnspectOr-General, and the
Division Council of Massachusetts was ordered
to convene for the purpose of choosing his sue
cessor. The Council met Oct. 6 and elected
Daniel F. Gouldng. who was duly installed as
the Commander OF the Division of Massachu-
sets. Oct. II, 1894 and be will be respected and
obeyed accordingly.
The copy of the new Three Degree Ritual
is now In the hands of the printer. and
the same will be ready for distribution not
later than Jan. /, 1895. at which time it
will go into effect Four eopes of the
new ritual will be furnished, without cost
or requisitiOn. 10 each Camp in good standing.
Installing Officers required to collect and
forward old rituals 10 Division Headquarters
Upon receipt of same. Division Com manders
will imm sdiately transmit new rituals to Camp
Captains.
Division Adjutants and Quartermasters are
earnestly requested to forward their quarterly
reports ut he earliest date possible
Members OF the Order are warned against
one Frank r. McKcnna. who represents him.
self as p Past Captain of Camp /. Division of
New York. His hight is FIVE feet nine inches
He is of fair complexion. with sandy mustache;
wears bacs worsted suit, and has a peculiar
habit OF nervousiy moving his head. He
claims to be surveyor in the employ of the
New York Central & Hudson River Railroad
Company. Be on the lookout for him; he is
an impnstOr. At present he is supposed to be
in the New England States.
Tabular reports. except totals and recapitu-
lations, need be read by First Sergeants only
so far as they apply to their respective Di-
visions
Many inquiries have come to these Head
quarters in regard to uniforms, shoulder-straps,
and the military regulations Of our Order. Il
is rather unfortunate that the action of the
Commandery-in-Chiefw was not more definite in
regard To these matters, and it becomes neces-
sary, therefore, TO issue the following instruc-
tioms. which will he strictly enforced during
this administration:
All commissioned officers should wear the
c.ts, 4
United States Army. with braid and black but
tons concealed thereby. This includes all the
elective and staff officers of the Commandery-
in Chief and the various Divisions of the Order.
as well as the Captains and First and Second
Lieutenants of uniformed Camps.
The blouse for all other mem hers of the Order
including nom CONN issioned officers, should be
cut similar to that worn by private soldiers of
the United States Army, and with the exposed
regulation s. Of " buttons
Dark-blue trousers as heretofore, should be
worn.
Officers Of the Commandery-in-C hief are not
allowed to wear shoulder straps or epaulettes,
and their office shall be designated only by the
yellow ribbon and regulation rank strap and
cap mark described in the c., r. and r.
The reason for this order is apparent.
A Commander in-Chief and Senior aud
Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, for ex-
ample do not wear such insignia of rank. The
President of the United States is the Com
mander- in Chief of the Army and Navy; and
l know of no authority granted in the c.,
r. and r. as amended to permit the officers
of the Commandcry-n -Chief TO wear straps |
denoting such exalted rank as Grant even could
not attain until elevated after the war by act
of Congress.
The G. Z. and r. now provides that the Sons
of Veterans shall be known as MILITARY |
Order" and that each Division shall have |
power to establish and regulate its military |
organizations.
Until Division and National Encampments |
make some provision to the contrary epauettes |
will not he worn at all, and shOuder-strsps can |
only be used upon dispensatiOn. Commanders |
of Divisions and the elective officers thereof |
will be allowed dispensations from these Head
quarters 10 wear shOuIder-straps upon furnish |
ing satisfactory proof that they have sutti- |
Gent number of uniformed and equipped Camps |
to meet the military requirements for their /
respective commands.
Commissioned officers of Camps may obtain |
dispensations from their Division Commanders |
to wear shouider-straps when their respective |
Camps are drilled, uniformed, and equipped so |
as to form military companies.
All Camps are hereby required to forthwith |
place their military organizations under direct |
authority of their respective Division Com
manders. and shall receive commissions for
their officers from Division Headquarters.
Rattalons and regiments may be formed of the
armed Camps, and battalion and regimental Off
GERS may receive recognition from the Division
Commander. Such organizations shall not be
general, and shall not extend across Division
lines. This l take to be the only proper con-
struction of the action of the Commandery.in in
Chief.
The advent of the Winter season should wit
ness revival of interest and increase of men,
bership in every Division of the Order. High
class entertainments, Campfres, competitive
drills patriotic discussions, deeds of charity,
and the prospect of an interesting and thrilling
ritual, should make Camp work
pleasant and ~ Oftable to the brothers. Make
an especial effort to induce dropped and sus-
pended memters to again affiliate with the
Camp before the new ritual takes effect. Any |
dropped member may now be elected and
obligated by any Camp, upon sending one years
back dues to the Camp from which he was
dropped. Let us have more hustling and less
grumbling; more zeal and less jealousy.
As the time for the annual election of Camp
officers draws nigh, the Com mander-i in Chief
impresses upon the brothers the
necessity OF great caution in their selection.
The success or failure of your Camp will de-
pend upon the conscience and competency of
your Captain he is bound by sacred obliga-
ton, hut he should appreciate what that means.
He should be man of honor, who commands
the respect of the community. He should be
we'll qualified and should not only be willing,
but should know how to do his work. The
ritualistic services that will be re-
nuired next year make it all the more necessary
TO have intelligent officers, who can muster
recruits properly and impressively, and so they
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