The National tribune., 1882-05-20
GRAND ARMY MATTERS.
A HosPITABLE RECEPTION AWAITING
THE VISITORS TO BALTIMORE.
The City Authorities and representative Citizens
Cordially Cooperating for the Entertain.
ment of the CHESTS Programme Of
The EncampmCnt-The Grand
Parade, &C., &c.
Special Correspondence National Tribune.


funds TO provide for the proper entertainment
oi the Grand Army delegates, they have beer
iully removed by the action Of the cityauthori
ties, and individual efforts Of citizens irrespect
I've OF parties; and there is no doubt whatevc
that the reputation for Hospitality entertaining
its guests, which Baltimore has SO long en-
joyed, will be amply maintained during the
coming session of the National Encampmcnt
The City Council has supplemented its appro
priation of $4,000 by a still further gift o1
$1,000 to the hospitality fund.- and the remain,
ing sum necessary to defray the expense of the
entertainment programme is being rapidly
subscribed by citizens. 1t will interest the
readers of THE NATIONAL TBIRUNE to know
the details of this highly satisfactory arrange
ment.
ENLISTING THE MAYOR IN THE CAUSE.
The committee of members of the General
Hospitality Committee and of the Ways and
Means Committee upon the Grand army En-
campment first called upon Mayor Whyte, with
view of securing his opinion regarding the
increase of the appropriation by the City Coun-
Gil from $1,000 to 5000 for the reception of
the visitors. The committee consisted Of ex-
Mayor Latrobe, General Felix Agnus, General
w. f. W. Ross, and Others.
General Agnus said that they had come TO
see if the appropriation could not be increased
to $4,000. They were justified in asking this
because of the proportions which the coming
National Encampment of the Grand Army had
assumed and the Importance which it had be-
come TO Baltimore. All over the North aud
West the most intense enthusiasm had been
nrIn,
they were looking forward to the Reunion at
Baltimore with the veterans of the South with
anticipations of the keenest pleasure. The
very name of Baltimore had stirred them up.
1t would be the first time the EncamFmcnt had
been held on southern soil, and it was contcm-
plated to make of it grand gala occasion.
With $1,000 from the city as a Nucleus the
committee believed that they could obtain from
tie citizens the remainder of the 1000 need
full TO properly receive our guests, and they
hoped that the city would extend a proper
degree Of municipal hospitality.
General Ross added that he had recently con-
versed with the Grand Commander of the
Grand Army, who had informed him that the
feeling among the members was unprecedented.
They all believed that the Baltimore Encamp-
ment was to be the greatest event in the history
of the Order
The Mayor inquired how it was proposed the
money should be spent; what part would the
city officially take in the programme?
General Agnus, ex-Mayor Latrobe, and Gen
eral Ross united in explaining that it was pro-
posed that the General Hospitality Committee
and committee of the City Council should |
unite in deciding this question. There would |
be a combination in fixing the programme. |
The delegates and members of the Grand Army |
paid all their own transportation and hotel |
expenses. The funds raised here would be |
entirely devoted TO the purposes Of festivity.
Mayor Whyte (ex-U. S. Senator from Mary |
land) then said that he supposed they under |
stood the difficulties in the way of increasing
the amount already granted. His konored pre-
decessor Indicating ex-Mayor Latrobej GER
tainly did. The appropriation bill had been
passed. and he had made it his rule not TO sign !
any appropriations to come out of uncxpended
balances, but he thought an exception should
be made in this case. 1t was to be great
patriotic OCCASION and the city should be hon
orably represented and maintain its reputation
for hospitality He considered that the appro-
priation should be increased to the sum asked, !
had been given of the arrangements. He would
interpose no objection.
THE CITY 10 GIVE 5000
When the City Council met in the evening,
Mr. Wilmer offered in the First Branch a res0-
luton to increase the city's appropriation for
the entertainment OF the Grand Army of the |
Republic to 5000. In presenting the resolu- !
ton. he said that the gentlemen in charge Of |
the coming Encampment had been most unex- |
pectedly, and at the same time most gladly. /
surprised that their invitations had been gen !
orally accepted. The hospitality Of the city is /
well known, and the gentlemen had extended |
their invitations to the soldiers Of the South as
well as to those Of the North, and the commit |
tee find they have TO add not one but many |
leaves to the table at which they will ask their |
guests TO sit. The committee wish to make the |
fund $4,000, and if they can secure 5000 from
the city they will be able to 90 before the citi- ,
zens and ask them for the remainder. He
referred to the good the Encampmcnt would |
do.
Mr. Denny, in asking for a second reading, !
spoke ia favor Of the increase, saying that the
Encampmcnt would be an honor to the city.
He thought it would enhance the good feeling
between the North and South, and extend the
good name of Baltimore.
Mr.. Gephart said that he offered the ordi-
nance that the cisy's hospitality might be
shown. Maryland has always had q name for
hospitality. The latch-string is always out,
snd we are always ready to receive guests.
The resolution was then passed
WAYS AND MEANS COM,IITTEE.
The General Hospitality Committee, Of which
.x-Mayor Latrobc is chairman, has appointed
q Committee on Ways and Means consisting Of
George II. c. Neal, John c. Bar1lcy. A. C.N.
Matthews, VIM. A. MaIbourg, and Col. GEORGE
T. Cramer This committee met; Organized bv
plecting M Neal chairman and treasurer and
MIR. Barklcy secretary. It's numbers will be
largely increased by the addition Of other gen
flernen. SO that il viii comprise representative
If each prominent branch Of trade and industry.
To If is entrusted the entire task of receiving
subscriptjons from citizens, and the Grand
ARMY will henceforward cease its efforts in
that direction. The committee will at once
enter upon its duties.
AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE.
conference was held ut the City Hall be-
tween the Hospitality Committee and the
Municipal Committee, with Mayor Whyte
/ no t1I ba ,l,:-