The National tribune., 1907-08-29
DAYTON. O., Aug. %, 1907

The sbtn ADluti 4NSi1iNAi~iA
ment of the Order of Sons of Veterans
L. S. A.. Just held in this city, was the
most important meeting in the history
of this organization, and marks new
epoch in its progress.
The session was largely attended pH
representatives from all OF the dlEisioli9
from Maine to California, ana the III
-erest manifested in the proceedings II
indicative of Z great future ioi 'nie
patriotic society, the recognized ;iiiu
gitimate successor of the greatest " az
organizations, the Grand Army Oh 'iie
Sepublic. .h
1t is interesting to note that on t:ie
Ills of the Order Of Sons or Vetefaie
s-e found the names of many hiei,
.,rominent in the political, professlollai
and business affairs OF the coun'i
Among these might be mentioned Unit
Cd states Senator Albert J. Beverage
of Indiana: Gov. A. w. Jones, OF ohlo'
ex-Goy. Frank Jackson, of Iowa; Con
Eressmen Overstreet and Landls, Oh ii-
diana; Mouser and Taylor, of ONO, anu
many others of equal note.
The first meeting of the present EN-
campment was an open one. al whicm
addresses were made by Gov Andrew
l. Harris. of Ohio; Judge Joseph w.
O'Nean. representing Commandment
Chief Brown of the G. A r.; Mayor
Wright of Dayton; Commander-ln-Chte
Edwin M. Amies. of the Sons OF Neter-
ans, and Past CGmmander-in-CheI H.
V Speelman. of this same organlzatioh'
also G. a. r. Department Commander
Rogers and Division Commander
Eommhardt.
Among other things, Gov. Harris SAID:
The most gratifying return that can
come to our fathers who bore arms ior
the Union in 1851 to 1855 is reunited
country, prosperous at home, respected
abroad a tower of strength and justice
among the Nations of the earth. On
the questions of Governmental policies
and details of administration we shaii
continue TO differ, but on the questioh
of liberty and union, the ideal of Web
ster has been realized, and in the morn
ing of this new century. as never be-
fore in our history, we are one and in
separable The giants of Antiquity typi-
fled the strength of young men. You
are in the morning of life. You Will
have the shaping Of the Repubiic, OF
its progress, its prestige and its glory,
long after the generation to Whicn L
belong shall have passed away. see 10
It that 1t is kept in your power, and
that your hands,. strong, willing and
clean, shall bear up the Ark of the
Covenant"
The Committees.
Encampment was devoted to the ap-
pointment of committees, the reading
of the several officers reports and refer
ence of same to the proper committees.
Following are the standing committees
of the Encampment:
Constitution and Law-H. V: Speel-
man, Ohio; F. T. F. Johnson, Maryland;
w. T. Church, Illinois; r. NJ. ]. Reed.
Pennsylvania; Fred W. Spear. Vermont.
Resolutions-E. r. Campbell, Mary
land; Fremont S Gibson. Iowa; h. A.
Wing, Minnesota; ]. n. Ripley, Michi-
gan: E. w. Estes, New York.
Oficers' Reports-George B. Abbott,
Illinois; Harry E. Pennell, New Jersey;
Charles B. Martin, Kansas: F. E. Wat
son, Indiana William Schneider, Mis-
souri,.
Official organ-H. V. Speelman,
Ohio; L. c. Couch, Massachusetts,;
Frank L. Shepard, Illinois.
CredentiaIs:H H. Hammer, Penn
sylvania; j. ]. Vangorder, Ohio; w. A.
Personius. New York; F. A. Kremer,
Wisconsin.
The Military Branch.
As a result of the adopted reports of
these several committees it is believed
that much good will result to the or
ganization. One of the most important
conclusions was an amendment to the
Constitution providing for the appoint
ment by the new Commander-in-Chief
of committee of five on Military At
fairs This legislation affects in particu-
lar the military branch of the Order,
known as the Sons of Veterans Re-
serves. BY authority vested in 1t thru
the newly adopted law the Committee
on Military Affairs will have power 10
draft rules and regulations for the gov
ernment of the reserves. 1t VIII also
be within the province of this same
committee to submit proposed constitu-
tional amendments at the annual ses-
sions of the National body. The rules
and regulations which are to be pre-
pared by the Committee on Military
Affairs will have full force and effect
upon approval and PRONUNCIATION by the
Commandcr-in-Chief. The military
branch of -" order has come to be
one of IT. ,St potential factors. In
the Division of Pennsylvania alone the
Reserves number 1000 men, who are
fully armed and equipped. At the head
of the Pennsylvania Brigade is Gen.
Reed, of Philadelphia, in the capacity
of Chief OF Staff. is in command of the
entire military branch.
A Committee on Ritual.
Another important action of the En-
campment was the appointment of n
Committee on Ritual which will sub
nit its report at the meeting of The
ComElandery-in-Ch in 1908. 1t is
probable that the new ritual will con-
tain three degrees and that il will be
based on the strenuous action of our
country during the civil war, with pa
triotism as its underlying principle. Fol-
lowing is the New Ritual Committee:
George y. Abbott. Illinois: II. V. Speel-
man. Ohio: +. e. Kremer, Wisconsin
w. B. McNulty. Pennsylvania. This
committee Will act in conjunction with
the Commander-in-Ch Chief. the National
Secretary and the National Treasurer in
the performance of its work.
Reports of Officers.
The reports of all of the National
officers were of the most gratifying
character. and show the organization II
be in splendid condition from ever,
point of view Numerically it is strong.
er than ever before. the membership
now being $4,000 in round numbers
and its financial status was never bet.
ter. the treasury containing large sur.
plus. Under the existing conditions Il
is highly probable that the per capita
tax may be reduced during the comini
year, an action earnestly to be iIopeC
for by all members.
The Grand Parade.
As the years go by the necessity O
such an organization as that of the Son
af ~