The National tribune., 1884-05-08
DAKOTA ENCAMPMENT.
An Enthusiastic Gathering and Some Stirring
Resolutions tGanfed

An Enthusiastic Gathering and Some Stirring
Resolutions adopted.
The first annual Encampment Of the Depart
ment of Dakota convened at Sioux Falls on the
29th ult and was largely attended. Represent
atIves were present from twenty-seven Posts.
Department Commander Thomas s Free called
the Encampment 10 order, and afte- prayer by
Rev. a p. Lyon. COMMITTEES on credentials
was appointed and a recess was taken until
afternoon, when tk5 committee reported. The
annual repests OF the Department officers were
ther admitted. That OF Assistant Adjutant-
General Porter makes the following showing
Of the condition Of the Department: February
q, 1883 the Department was organized, in
Guiding thirteen provisional Posts, numbering
240 members. At this date there are sixty
two Posts, numbering 1900 members. The
increase IN the number Of Posts has been 500
per cent. and 500 per cent in the number OF
nembership-an increase the most remarkable
In the history Of the Order, the significance of
which is especially complimentary to the Com
mander and the Adjutant-General. when il is
remembered that the Department commenced
with not cent in the treasury, they furnish
ing the funds.
Quarterlnaster General Beckler's report shows
the following facts: The value of the supplies
on hand was $685. and there have been pur-
chased supplies amounting to S24227. There
Is permanent property on hand amounting to
S9245. The financial statement shows the
receipts Of the Department to have been $3.50. 70
and the expenditures S7S3.lS, leaving a deficit
of S122 -. which Commander Free and Adju-
tant Potter have met out of their private funds
The possession of permanent property amount
ing TO so. %, leaves the deficit in current ex-
penses only $50.
The report Of the Chief Mastering Officer,
Major II. g. Wolfe, showed that forty -eight
Posts have been mustered during the year,
numbering 9.l comrades. The committee on
resolutions, consisting Walter l. Hines. L. O.
Parker, General J. y. Dennis, E. I. Cressey,
and Captain T. Pariiman, then reported 4
resolution thanking Senator John 4. Logan
for his support Of the soldiers interests was
unanimously adopted by a rising vote. res
olgtion urging President Arthur to veto the
FitzJolID Porter bill gave rise to vigorous dis
4 cussion. Tie resolution was finally adopted in
modified form. 1t protests against the action Of
Congress in passing the BILL requests the Presi-
dent TO withhold his signature, and petitions
the House Of Representatives. 10 remove the
/ seal Of secrecy from the proceedings of the
original court-marti2l. Resolutions were also
/ adopted demanding the enforcement of sections
Z I154 and 1855 OF the Revised Statutes, and call
4 ing upon Governor Ordway, Of Dakota TO as
certain the number Of ex-soldiers occupying
/ public Office in the Territory, and, in case the
number does not reach onc-fonrth of the whole
number, urging him to make up the number
4 by appointments from the members of the
Grand Army, as also requesting him to recon-
mend the adoption BIZ the LEGISLATURE OF a stat
ute 10 this effect Still another resolution was
adopted denouncing the action Of the trustees
Of the Iowa State Agricultural College, in APP
4 pointing an ex-Confedcrdtc TO the chair Of mil
itaTy tactics IN place Of General Geddes, a
Union soldier. The selection of Yankton as
the place for holding the next soldiers Reunion
/ was approved and IL was decided TO hold the
/ Department Encampment of 1885 at Huron.
AT the evening session, resolutions were
I adopted fayOring the location Of the proposed
I Western Veterans Home in the State of Iowa ;
urging the modification Of the ciyil-service
rules, 50 as not TO discriminate against ex-sol-
diers, and demanding the liberalization of the
pension laws A Campfire followed. Among
the distinguished guests was Governor Ord
way, who proposed to the Encampment that il
4 take action for securing legislation for an or
gaDized militia and said he would appoint adj
s jntant-gcDeral any man the Encampment might
recommend. He has 1000 stand of arms be-
longing TO the Government, which could be
issued to sach militia.
A committee, consisting Of /. T. West, Cap
tain w. " Lucas, and General j. B. Dennis
was appointed TO confer with the Governor in
regard TO the matter.
Among the speakers at the Campfire was
Past Commander-in-Chief Van Dervoort who
]
Jor T. 5. Free as Commander OF the Department
of Dakota, having signed the charter for the
organization. He gave most eloquentexposi-
ton of the motto Of the Order" Fraternity
Charity, and Loyalty (which was interrupted
by the most vociferous applause. He finally
urged the comrades TO have the loyal women
Of the Territory join them in the auxiliary So
cieties-those who have never forgotten the
terrible sacrifices which the rebellion cost
During his remarks he most severely denounced
the methods of the Pension Office, by which
worthy men and women were deprived of what
IS their just right.
SECOND DAYS SESSION
Al the second days session the committee on
militia organization reported as follows:
We recommend that the Department Com.
1 mander. the Adjutant- General and the Council OF