The National tribune., 1904-08-25
SONS WKETERANS.
Order is Strong and Growing,
Numerically and Financially.

Boston, at 10 a. m., Aug. II, there being
about 600 delegates and official members
present. The session was rather brief,
and accomplished only oratorical and rou-
tine prelimnarics.
After adjournment the members and
their friends went down the harbor in the
steamer Governor Andrew. The excursion
was given by Massachusetts Division of
the Sons of Veterans as a complimentary
entertainment to the Sons of Veterans dele
gates. 1t was in charge of Commander
Harry NJ. IIolbrook, of Massachusetts Di-
vision. Twelve hundred took the trip, the
party embracing the Sons of Veterans,
Daughters of Veterans and Ladies' Aid
Society, Auxiliary to the Sons of Veterans.
The steamer cruised about among the
battleships in the upper Harbor before
proceeding down the bay.
| At Nantasket shore dinner was served
under the supervision of Past Division
Commander William A. Stevens. After
dinner the time until 8 was passed in the
enjoyment OF a concert by the Letter Car
riers' Band, which accompanied the party.
| SECOND DAY, TO BUSINESS
| The sessions of the second day were held
in a hall in the Boston University Law
School. At the morning session the several
official reports were presented and con-
| forward.
| COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S ADDRESS.
The address of Commanderin-C Chief
Sphinx gave great satisfaction. Among the
suggestions it makes are: That Camps
pay more attention to organization of
Auxiliares. 1t states that wherever the
Ladies Aid Society exists will be found
Camps in fourishing state; that all
Camps should give special attention to
honoring Lincolns birthday, and that ap-
propriate exercises be held on that day /;
that the Chief of Staff rank as MajorGen-
| eral and have command of all the Sons of
| Veterans Reserves, his term of service to
| be five years that more attention be given
to development of the Military Branch Of
| the Order. 1t advises more freedom for
the individual Camps in self-government
| i'll many respects anu approves the Death
| Benefit ASSOciat 0n.
| MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY.
OF this institution the report says ::
1"Cnder the able management of President
Frederick d. Tucker, this year for the
Memorial University has practically been
one of preparation. They have eliminated
all unwise and uncertain features from
their educational and financial policy. The
educational policy, both for the academic
| best judges wise, conservative and pro-
gressive. The standard of discipline in
the school has been raised, and there is
renewed confidence in its ultimate success.
They are preparing for large number of
students this Fall"
| STRENGTH Of THE ORDER.
The report says 1.-The numerical
strength of the larger divisions is as fol-
lows: Pennsylvania, 134 Camps, 9,112
members Massachusetts, 1913 Camps, 4, ,322
MEMBERS New York, 6G Camps, 2,677
members; Ohio, 1,467 members; Illinois,
4G Camps. 1887 members; Indiana, 80
Camps, S22 members; Maine, 33 Camps,
9SS members; New Hampshire, 80 Camps,
1872 members; New Jersey, % Camps, 96S
members Wisconsin; "A Camps, 63s mem
Connecticut, 10 Camps, G22 members.
with total of 7OS Camps and -, 1O3
members at the end of the June quarter,
a net gain has been made during this ad
ninistration of G6 Camps and ,96S mem
| bers."
| ENCAMPMENTS AND DISCOURAGEMENTS.
The report of Adj't-Gen. Congdon was,
on the whole, very encouraging, notwth-
standing it disclosed some details that are
otherwise. The reports says: during
this administration IS dispensations have
been granted to Division Commanders to
muster Camps within their Divisions with
out first submitting the charter applica-
tions to headquarters for approval.
There have been 80 applications for
Camp charters approved and 66 charters
| have been issued to Camps.
| 'There has been received by this De-
partment $9,311.16 for per capita tax, $37O
for charter fees and $1,OS7 for muster
| fees.
1.-THE one great drawback to healthy
and rapid growth in the Order is the con-
tinuous suspension of members. 1t would
| seem that all some Camp Commanders can
conceive as their duty to the Order was
to suspend members, rather than to seek
to retain every worthy brother. The SOON
er every Camp Commander can be brought
to realize that the suspension of a MEM
ber nine times out of ten means the total
loss of that member to the Order, the
sooner will the Order begin to advance by
rapid strides toward the goal of our ambi-
tions.
Il would recommend that until the next
Encampment the second paragraph of
Art. 8, Sec. 3, Of the Constitution, be sus-
pended so far as it requires the payment
of one years dues to the Camp by which
the applicant was dropped, in the case of
1903. p ~
~ would also recommend that Division
Commanders be permitted for one year to
reinstate Camps at their discretion, which
are, for arrears for per capita tax re-
ported under suspension at the end OF the
June quarter, 1904; provided, that no
Camp the charter of which has been sur
rendered or revoked shall be reinstated,
and that for every Camp so reported rein
stated, the Commandery-in-Che receive
the sum of $3.50, in addition to the regular
per capita tax for the quarter in which
the Camp is reported as reinstated.
II would recommend that Camps can be
. formed with Is members. and that there
! shall be maximum fee of SO and mini
: mum fee of SIS. and that each Division
, Council be authorized to fix the amount
of the charter fee until the Division shall
in Encampment establish the charter fee
for the Division.
II earnestly recommend the establish
ment of perma nent headquarters and the
election of the sAdjutant-General for a
term of at least three years."
COMFORTABLE TREASURY CONDITIONS.
The report of Quartermaster General
Fred Bolton stated that the treasury is in
, better condition now than ut any other
: time in Is years; that the new Admins
traton begins with a balance on hand of
more than twice what any preceding Ad-
, ministration had to start with.
;, THE MILITARY