The National tribune., 1897-09-09
COMMANDER -IN-cHIEF, S. OF v,
Reports the 18th Annual National Encampment Regarding
the Status Of the Order.

rating beneficial features covering sickness and
deash being more strongly urged, and there are
at this time quite number of Camps that have
adopted the other of the many plans
presented to them, and in some cases Division
organizations moving in this direction.
The success attending the introduction OF these
features has been varied. and must of necessity
continue to be so until we shall either adopt
some feasible plan part of our fundamental
laws, or entirely abandon all connection with
the same.
RELATIONS WITH THE GAR.
Nothing has occurred during this admins
tratlon to mar the uniformly pleasant relations
which have existed between ourse yes and the
Grand Army of the Repnblic. COMMANDMENTS
Chief Clarkson and bis associates have been
ever ready to render us valuable aid and
through their direct efforts many of our weaker
Camps have been strengthened and new Camps
organized. The several Department Com
manders and the Womau's Relief Corps have
likewise shown great interest IN our work, and
to these veterans and their auxiliary do our
thanks go out.
] have always been Of the opinion that our
interest in the Ladies' Aid Society has been
more or less superficial one; not that we do not
appreciate their work and the purposes for
which they organized, but there has never
been that close relationship istlngw hichwOud
tend to prove the sincerity OF our oft-repeated
words OF encouragement-wOrds.w without active
co-operation-whch, properly bestowed, would
strengthen their organization and In turn
benefit our own Camps.
FINANCES.
Notwithstanding the fact that the revenue
of the Commandery- in Chief is derived mainly
from per capita tax, which has remained sta
tionary for number of years as a unit against
,i.r- fstaa
would be poor policy to attempt TO increase the
same at this time. The comprehensive report
of the Quartermaster General will give you
very clear idea of our financial transactions
during the past year.
MEMBERSHIP.
The most important matter that comes be-
fore US to-day Is the question of our member
ship. Year after year your COmmaDders-in-
Chief have brought to your notice this highly
important subject. but up to this time little or
no attention seems to have been paid to the
warning notes so oft repeated. We cannot
afford ionger to temporize with this question
1t Is duty we owe to ourselves to try to real
ize the condition ch confronts US, and to set
about to discover and apply the remedy.
We have all doubtless realized in carelessy
general way that our numerical strength is by
no means prOpOrtionate TO our oppori unities,
and, possibly, that we have been unable ap-
parentiy TO check the annual decrease in
numbers, but how many of US have taken the
trouble to analyze the figures to see what they
actually do represent? To demonstrate how
fearfuliy we have lost in membership it is only
necessary to review the statistics covering a
comparatively recent period The Adjutant-
Generals consolidated report shows that in the
June quarter of 1891 we carried upon our rolls
"a 72S members in good standing. During the
remaining quarters OF 1891 we mustered 1876
recruits. During 1892 we added 1913 re-
cruits; in 1893, 10 $780, in 1894, $500; in 1895.
Il, 069; in 1896 10,llS, and in the March quar-
ter of 1897, 2,573 recruits: a total o. II $40
members mustered. exclusive OF gains from rein
statements, and which with the membership ac-
credited in good standing in the June quarter,
1891, of "a 728 members. should enable to
show at this date something like Ia, 900 MEM
bers With the natural increase added for
gains from reinstatements, we might reason
ably expect to have reached the $50, 600 mark.
As against this the Alphabetically cou-
solidated report for the quarter ending March
30 1897 shows total membership in good
standing OF just 30075. In other words, we
have during the past six years added annually
an average of nearly 10000 new recruits; and,
Notwithstanding this steady and quite respect
able addition we have been unable to check
the unusual loss in our aggregate membership;
for, citing again from the records we find the
following: Starting in June 1891, with 81, 728
members we have accredited as enrolled III the
March quarter of each of the succeeding years
1892 "a 479 members; 1c93 41,2l6 members
1894 SO, 625 members; 1885, 36,605 members;
1896 81, 1864 members, and 1897, 3, 90 MEN,
bers, condition that is, to say the least, APP
paling.
| have endeavored n the limited time alot-
ted to me 10 discover a cause for this lament
able condition, and with this III view l have
embraced every opportunity TO consult with the
membership of our Order representing the
different sections of our country, prominent
membe of the q. A. r., and citizens who have
taken interest III our organization oil &C
count of its patriotic aims, and am forced TO
the conclusion that the chief source of the
trouble is an inherent weakness duo to our
present form of constitution and OPERATION
which only reconstruction on different lines
can remedy / cannot reasonably be expected
to place before you in detail method by which
we may strive to overcome the trouble, but
do hope to show you the Imperative necessity
for a careful consideration OF the suggestions
shall present which are the outcome of my in
auiries. and which, if systematically under
taken and pursued, WILL / believe, lead US to
the desired result.
The numerous interviews and communities.
tions w hi CHI have had on this subject tend to
show coucusively that the general adoption OF
the military feature as at present obtains with
us is Objectionable to the average citizen who
is eligible to membership in our organization.
There are, of course. those to whom the mill
tary feature is attractive, but am firmly con-
WINGED that such is not the case with the great
majority of those whom we derire to enroll as
members in our organ ZatoD. As cOnse-
aueuce we limit membership to the few,
conn aratively speaking, and too often thereby
lower the general standing of our Camp MEM
bership. There are many arguments to be ad-
yanced pro and con- but can no good reason
why the question intelligently and fully sub
mitted for serious consideration should not
practically solve itself. AS an exception to the
p0L II II uUMME1