The Indianapolis journal., 1897-09-11
MILITARY FEATURE TO REMAIN.
COmmander-in-Chi RaEe's Recom-
memlntiOn Voted nnwn


mendatiOn Voted Down.
The business of the encampment of the
Sons of Veterans was somewhat inter-
rupted by flattering receptions that were
given to distinguished visitors yesterday
forenoon Lieutenant Governor A. W.
Jones, of Ohio, division commander of that
State, was one of the first to arrive He
was given an ovation. After paying his re-
spects to Governor Mount he took his place
among the delegates. Admiral George W.
Brown, retired, was introduced by Charles
A. Bookwalter Mrs. Nettie Ransford, past
department president of the w. r. c., and
a committee of greeting from the Ladies'
Aid Society-Miss Anna Simms Mrs May
Baldwin, Miss Margaret Howey, Miss r.
Buckley and Miss Laura f. Martin-were
also among the visitors. Afterward
special committee of the Sons of Veterans
was appointed to escort the ladies back to
the Senate chamber. The committee in
cluded A. B. Sphinx, inspector general; Chas.
K. Darling, past adjutant general; the Rev.
w. j.. Patton, past haplain-n-chief; Lewis
A. Dilley, past junior vice communicating
chief; G. Borin. past adjutant general.
When the convention got down TO busi-
ness the committee on peace monuments
recommended that a society to be known az
THE National Sons Of Veterans Battle
field Monument Association be formed for
the purpose of looking after the erection
OF suitable monuments in the national
parks and battelheldS.
AS anticipated in yesterdays Journal,
there was an animated discussion of COM
mander-in-chief Rake's recommendations
that a committee be appointed with a
view Of revising the fundamental laws OF
the order so as to eliminate military and
ports of officers recommended that all the
reports, including Commander-in-chtef
Rake's, be adopted. This precipitated the
debates that lasted until noon, and were
taken UP again at the afternoon session.
1t was argued that to adopt the commits
tees recommendation would be TO concur
IN the commanders recommendations and
views. After considerable debate it was
decided that this would be the result OF
adopting the committees recommendations
and that portion of it referring to the COM
mander's report was held in allegiance. To
get a question before the house the COM
mittee on resolutions moved that a COM
mittee of twenty-five be appointed to con-
slider the entire subject during the coming
year and report TO the next encampment
Part of the committees duty would be to
present a revised constitution, If it decided
that il was advisable to make a civic order
out OF the Sons OF veterans instead OF
military and uniform order, as IL now is
Commander Rake's idea is that the gross
decrease in membership in the face OF con-
stant enrolment, is due to the uniform
and military features, and that II the order
is TO be strengthened and perpetuated radi-
cal changes are necessary. This subject
ton adjourned at noon to meet at o'clock
after the parade.
NO CHANGE IN THE ORDER.
At the afternoon session tho discussion
of the resolution for the appointment of a
committee Of twenty-five. with power to
consider and revise the constitution so as
to eliminate military and uniform features
was resumed. The subject was discussed
at length. 1t was voted down as being un-
constitutional, inasmuch as it undertook to
delegate authority that could only be exer-
csed by the entire organization. Another
resolution, providing for the appointment
of a committee OF five to report on a re-
vision at the next encampment, was also
voted down on the ground that the order
is Just about what it should be. That put
an end to the entire subject, and the Sons
of Veterans will not become civic body.
A lengthy report by the committee on
resolutions was made before the convention
adjourned. The report was adopted In it's
entirety. rhe committee reported Mega
lively on TIE following resolutions:
Providing that reinstAted brothers have
Providing for the establishment OF mill