Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-08-12
VETERANS IN COUNCIL.
r-s AsmY Or Ire cUMssRIAso
Chasrrnen o. tne Committses Ols-
cossing Piaas and Arrangements
tor the Coming Hs4nson.

nlaa II ths Bocal Executive Com
naittee, presided aud there we're pess-
cut 0sn. inne-. tssE- Stevens, MAJORS
b. .lxnap. e. ". Calkius, NeBride, Hoyl and
y atkius. Captains Eaton. Cofnabsrry ard
Hsrsner. and Doet0r- Slixh and Gris~old
Col. eK said thai solae criticism bad az
peafed ia the papsrs and there seemed % be
a foehug II some quarters tbAt eFeEy thing
sas nOt going right he had prepared . repOrs
Or statement OF What the COMMITTEES had
done. ~hSt tney expected - d. and SnaS
should be done. and proceeded 10 read a,
folloEs
TO The Chalrmen Of the local committees.
(ieutlemen-i0a have beeu called tOgethor
b. the L0cai Executive Committee appoint
ed bs General Sheridan, charged With max
iug she DscessarF preparations for the he
union Of the Ss5ciety Of the Army OF the
Cumberland. - De held ia this city the 10th
and 18th 0f September next, for consultation
ia regard "a the arFan cement ~ details that
pertain to your several committess- Invita-
tons have been prepared and sent to mem
beEs of The society, President OF the United
States and hls Cabinet, senators, Governors
and STATS VI the several states, officers Oi
the army and navy, etc. 81 division Of
labor Indicated by the names Of your com.
mittee1. each working under the direction OF
- chairman, everything necessary can De
accomplished IN the next hye weeks 10 fully
meet the expectations OF our distinguished
guests and our Own people. One object IN
selecting different locations for holding these
annual reunI0us l. % get asnear a. practiea-
Ole 10 the brave boys who are unable 10 traV-
I'll long distances, and give them al oppOr-
tunity 90 meet their old leaders. and tOgeth-
sr rejoice over the fruits OF victories that
have brought unparalleled prosperity To the
nation la furtherance of this object invita-
a. f...a .4.a,
OF the q. A. K. IN this state. To all soldiers
and nnemb bers of any Post who were hOnOra-
bly discharged Ne say come. To all who
proved their devotion 10 our country
and IT. defenders. We also say
come. Veterans of the Mexican war have
their reunion at the same time and will be-
as-l g:ned an honorable place IN making up
the program. The Sons of Veterans vii,
have their national encampment here the
same week IL viii afford us pleasure TO en-
courage the young men % follow IN the line
OF their fathers by presenting them 10 Gen.
Sheridan aud other distinguished officers
and by marching IN review with the q. A. X.
Posts The post Of honor properly belongs
to the second Michigan Cavalry, of which
General Sheridan was cOmm-S SslOn.d co.Qnei
ia the lIne OF his promotions To the highest
rank IN the army of the United States. As
many companies of state tFOOp5 a. can come
viii De cordially welcomed.
program for both days will be published
IN due time. Enough has been foreshadowed
10 warrant the assumption that provision
must be made for more people than were
ever IN our CITY on any former occasion
IL successful many points can be added To
the enviable reputation our city has already
gained for thrift, hospitality and enterprise.
It u expected that the chairman of each
local committee will call the members of his
committee together when necessary and
have an understanding that will insure hearty
% operation of every member, 20 that no
failure can occur.
Much preliminary work has been quietly
done. Five weeks l. ample time with - =
tematic work to complete all details. 1t IL
better that the greatest zeal in the work
should culminate about the time of the
meeting than 80 early 10 need warming
over. Besides our city has been agltated
/ over double celebration of the glOriOV-
/ Fourth. followed by the death and prepara-
I tions for the observance of funeral cere-
monies OF our lamented chleft6in, Gen. I. =.
Grant. Under these circumstances We could
/ not well have moved earlier. We now put
I into your hands the work assigned 10 each
committee with the assurance that each
member of the local Executive Committee
and our citizens viii aid IN every way pos
/ sible 20 make this event a pronounced sue
I cess.
/ The statements. suggestions and sentiments
| of the report were approved by all and a
I general discussion followed. The matter of
I securing hall seems 10 be giving the com
I mittee more trouble than anything else. The
I refusal of Powers Opera House and Iuce' ;
I Hall has been secured bat there u a doubt "a
/ 20 either bellg large enough To accOmmo-
\ date the number of veterans who will be
I present AZ the banquet. Il l. not expected
I that arrangements will be made b. feed and
| entertain the masses gratuitously, but the
/ committees expect 70 arrange that all can
/ secure accommodation at reasonable rates.
/ The banquet Will - for members of the
I Society Of the Army of the Cumberland
I only and there will be enough of them
I present 90 al any hall that can be obtained
+ IN the ci:y. About 80 can be seated IN
/ Lucsz Hall and the gallery would
\ furnish seats for about three hundred spec
I tators- By placing a fOOr over the seats III
/ the Opera House, on a level with the stage.
i about the same number could be seated ~
( the banquet. and the galleries would
+ furnish seats for more spectators than could
/ De accommodated IN the hall. Gen. tnnes
said that arrangements should be made 10
I admit ladies' at least those who accom- pany
+ distinguished guests. and he would like to
i have e arranged 40 that ladies of the city
could be admitted. tie thought that per
/ hays a tent conld be secured from Barnum
/ or Forepaugh, that would answer the purpose
better than any hall in.the city. It was sug
( xested that n room IN Berkey & Gays furni-
T ture factory. which was used for similar
I purposs on a former occasion might De
I secured The matter was left with the Com
Z mittee on Halls.
ON motion Of MAJOR Watkins It was decid-
I ed that ladies could not be admitted 20 the
/ banquet and the question II admitting them
I % the hall and galleries was left 70 the EVec-
I utive COMMITTEES. Major Mcbride. Of the
I Entertainment Committee said that there
I would certainly be more people ia the city
I than on ang former occasion. and in order
/ % accom- MEDIATE them II would be necessary
I % ask citizens - open their houses 4 com
f mittee should BE- appointed to obtain hsi
/ uf persons Vho vii Accommodate guests
. With rates. ETC. which should BE- reported O.
+ the committee. The matter referred O.
( the Committee on Hotel Accommodations
. MAJOR Hoyt suggested that the tents 1sed by
F fhe state troops should be secured for the
+ use of tte Grand Army meu and placed al
I the disposal of the local Posts. NJ
/ liquors or vine viii be Rsed AZ the
+ banquet. but a symposium. sfterwsrd. wi
allow those Who Uish - DO so to indulge
Z No Art ~ the money contributed by cifi
rens. however. Ril be expended for wine-
and iiquors. The program vii Be Issued IN
F a few days. CAPTAIN Cofinberry. Who i an
+ Old acQuaintarce of General and Senatog
T sherman. has written them a SPECIAL invita-
tou and confidently expects that one or hotr