The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-10
COmmnnder-in-Chief Rake Sounds q
Note of Warning at the First En-
campment Session.
THE GOVERNORS RECEPTION
SEVERAL THOUSAND VISITORS AT
THE CAPITOL LAST NIGHT.
Ladies' Auxiliary Proceedings-COn-
test for OmciaI POsitiOns-Parade
This Afternoon.

The sixteenth annual encampment of the
Sons of Veterans, U. S. A.. and of the
Ladies' Aid Society, it's auxiliary organi-
cation, began in the StatehOuse yesterday.
In the House of Representatives the S. OF
V. assembled, while the aid society took
possession of the Senate chamber across
the corridor A military air prevailed
throughout the Capitol. "A large brass
cannon stood at the east approach, point
| ing toward the soldiers monument Under
| the immense dome was stationed a Gatling
] gun pointing in the same direction. Stacks
of arms were grouped about it. To the
west was pitched a camp tent Around the
corridors We're many striking decorations
in the national colors. Most OF the dele
| gates to the encampment of the Sons OF
Veterans are dressed in smart uniforms.
All of them are covered with bright decora-
tions and badges, one of the most attrac-
tive of which is the souvenir badge pre-
pared by the local reception committee,
consisting of a brozen pendant suspended
| with tri-colored silk ribbon from cross
| bar, also of bronze, with Indianapolis"
across it in red letters. On the face of the
pendant is. a likeness of the soldiers mon
ument, with the initials "F. L. c." and thu
words ITO Indiana's Silent Victors." On
the reverse side of the pendant appears
| "Sons of Veterans, u. S. A., Sixteenth Ma
tional Encampment Sept. gil, 1897" Be-
| side the camp badges which the delegates
wore many had bright ribbons showing
the State from which they came, The
ladies of the aid society were not behind
the other organization in wearing badges
and gay ribbons.
The invasion of the Capitol by the corps
began as early as o'clock. and as this
was some time before the hour set for con-
vening the young men and women strolled
about the building, expressing pleasure
with the stately appearance of the Capitol
building. A good many of the delegates
met at the Louisville encampment and had
been parted by the breadth of many States
since that time. When they met again
yesterday hearty greetings were ex-
changed. There was no formality any
where. A word of greeting, hearty hand
shake and an explanation to which
quarter of the country each hailed from
was enough to place delegates on a friendly
footing.
At o'clock the Ladies' Aid Society com
vened in the Senate chamber. 1t an
hour later before Commander-in-chief j..
L. Rake called the Sons of Veterans to or
Ger and the business of the sixteenth an
nual encampment began. A good many Of
the delegates who had been expected We're
not on hand, and it was a little early for
the formal organization. committee on
credentials was appointed. Commander
Rake delivered his annual address. Reports
of the various officials We're submitted but
were referred to committee for auditing
without reading Most of the day was de-
voted to routine business of little public
/ interest.
1 A x
In his annual address Commander Rake
spake at length on the condition and prog
ress of the order during the last year.
Among other things he said:
The order as at present constituted seems
| to be amply and well governed by the ex-
| listing c., r. and r. without making any
| changes, thereby causing that confusion
! and dissatisfaction which constantly har-
assed camp. division and commandery-ln-
| chief officers during the earlier years OF
| our organization. | would suggest, now
| ever that a condensed historical sketch or
the order be prepared and added to the next
! edition of the c., r. and r.. 1t should ba
brief and cover those points which are In
variably inquired for and of necessity re-
quire explanation by circular or corre-
spondence whenever new camp is forming-
only three court-martial proceedings
were submitted to me for review and APP
proval during the past year, truly remark
/ able and gratifying record, clearly demon
strating that serious infractions of our laws
! each case referred to the judge advocate
general, and upon his recommendation app
! proved"
Speaking Of the various divisions of the
! order the commander said that they are,
! for the most part, in satisfactory condl-
| IN making quarterly reports ana urged re-
form in this respect. OF the growing sem
| timent in favor of insurance features, he
Every year we find the question Of incor-
| porating beneficial features covering sick
! ness and death being more strongly urged
/ there
| Der of camps that have adopted one or the
other OF the many plans presented 70 them.
| moving in this direction. The success at
! tending the Introduction of these features
! has been varied, and must of necessity con-
! tinue to be so until we shall adopt either
some feasible plan as part of our funda-
mental laws, or entirely abandon all con-
! nectiOn with the same.
Commander Rake had nothing but kind
words for the attitude OF the G. A. K. and
! w r. G. towards the order, speaking OF
| the uniformly pleasant relations that had
| existed all around. He urged more hearty
cooperation with the Ladies' Aid Society,
Il have always been of the opinion that
our interest in the Ladies' Aid Society mas
been more or less superficial one; not that
we do not appreciate their work and tho
purposes for which they are organized, bur
there has never been that close relationship
existing which would tend TO prove the SIN
cerity OF our oft-repeated words OF encour-
agement-words. without active co-opera-
tion-which, properly bestowed, would
II
benefit our own camps.
THE DECREASING MEMBERSHIP.
AS to the resources of the order, he said
that while the income Of the commandery-
in-chief is derived. mainly from per capita
tax, which had remained stationary for a
number OF years in the face of a steadily
decreasing membership, he believed it would
be poor policy to attempt TO increase it at
this time, Continuing. he said
THE most important matter that comes
before us to-day is the question of our mems
bershp. Year after year your commanders
in-chief have brought 10 your notice this
highly important subject. but up 10 this
time little or no attention seems to have
been paid TO the warning notes so oft re-
peated. We cannot afford longer to tem-
porize with this question. IL is a duty we
owe 20 ourselves 10 try 10 realize the con-
dition which cOnfronts us and TO set about
to discover and apply the remedy.
We have during the past six years add
ed annually an average OF nearly 1900 new
recruits, and Notwithstanding this steady
and quite respectable add .tion, we have been
unable to check the unusual loss in our ae-
gregate membership, for citing again from
the records We find the following. Starting
In June. 1891 with 81 l2S members We have
accredited as enrolled In the March quarter
of each OF the succeeding years-ls92, oi.-