The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-26
EVERYBODY INVITED.
THE MEN WHO WORE THE BLUE.
The G. A. Il. Meeting at Portland-S. s. Bur-
dett Chosen COmmander-in-C Chief.

PORTLAND, Me-, June 25-Several thousand
of the veterans left early this morning for sail
down the harbor; others took the trains for Old
Orchard. and still others have gone to the White
Mountains.
At this mornings executive session of the Ma
tional Encampment resolution offered by
Comrade Bennett of Illinois, providing for the
suitable recognition of DR.. BENJAMIN Stephen
son as the founder of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and recommending that a national
subscription from the National Encampment be
requested for this purpose, was referred to the
committee on resolutions.
resolution adverse to the consolidation OF
the Sons of Veterans with the Grand Army was
adopted.
A telegram was read from General Grant,
thanking the encampment for it's resolution OF
sympathy, and Comrade Patch read communi
cation from Comrade Bruthany, of Massachu
sets, presenting a portrait of General Grant.
A motion that the portrait be accepted, appro-
priately framed. and sent to the family of Gen
eral Grant was unanimously carried.
It was voted that the next annual encampment
be held sometime between October and May, and
the recommendation that memorial day be OBJ
served on the Sabbath was adopted.
The committee 10 which was referred Comrade
Loring's resolution in favor OF the $8-a-month
pension, decided adversely and there was a
minority report in its favor, by Comrade Graves,
of Michigan. The adverse report was adopted
after protracted debate.
AT the afternoon session the commander-in-
chief was authorized to appoint a committee to
present resolutions to the heads of departments
at Washington in behalf of pension claimants.
A recommendation that all petitions to Congress
from posts or pension claimants be sent through
the ma tional headquarters Of the G.. A. r. was
adopted. A series of resolutions of thanks to
Congress for having placed General Grant on the
retired list of the army was also adopted.
The roll of the States was called for nomina.
tions for commander-in-chief, and the efolow-
ing candidates were presented John W. Burst,
of Illinois, Gen. John A. Reynolds, of New
York; Hon. Samuel S. Burdett, of Washington;
rade Fairchild withdrew his name,
and the balloting proceeded. On the
second ballot, Burdett received 239, Reynolds
1885, Burst 70, and Mr.. Burdett's election was
made unanimous. For senior vice commander
in-chief Ex-Governor Connor, of Maine. was
chosen by acclamation. For the post of junior
vice-commander-in chief, Comrade Lewis, of
Atlanta, was chosen on the second ballot.
1t is reported tonight that this afternoons
executive session was very stormy Some of
the Illinois delegation accused one Of their mum
ber it is sad Of having sold out their candidate,
Major Burst, to the New York men. This state
ment it Is said, gave rise to an acrimonious de-
bate, which resulted in some severe personalities.
The National Woman's Relief Corps this morn
ing elected the following officers for the national
organization for the coming year: Mrs S. E.
Fuller, of Massachusetts,, president, Mrs. L. D.
Kinney, of California senior vice-president; Mrs.
Kent, of New Hampshire, junior vice president;
Mrs l.. A. Turner, of Massachusetts, treasurer,
and Mrs. Annie Whittemeyer, of Philadelphia,
ehan1ain =