The National tribune., 1885-02-19
THE ENCAMPMENTS.
PENNSYLVANIA


The 10Th annual Encampment of the Depart
ment of Pennsylvania was held at Harrisburg
on the 10th and 18th insts. On the morning
OF the first day the veterans were welcomed by
Mayor Wilson, to whose remarks Gen. Louis
Wagner Vice Commander, responded. There
were over 500 delegates present. The morning
session was devoted to routine business of a
private character. AT the afternoon session
the report OF Post Commander Dyer was made.
1t shows that there are 572 Posts in the State,
with membership of $4,000. About 100000
have been spent in charity. Department Chap
lain Sayres reported 332 deaths during the
year ard urged the necessity Of looking after
the soldiers orphans, whose schools will close
in two years.
At the conclusion of the reading of reports
nominations for Department Commander were
made, as follows: T. J. Sellers, of Philadelphia :;
Austin Curtin, of Center County, and J. p. S.
Goblin, of Lebanon County. The latter declined
and Austin Curtin was elected. Nominations
for Senior Vice Commander were made as fol-
lows Edgar Walsh, of Philadelphia; A. p
Burchield, of Allegany; w. L. Powell Thomas
u. Sample, of Pittsburg, and Daniel ONeil, of
Reading. For Junior Vice Commander: F. J.
Amsden, of Post 139; e. w. Bettes, of Post so,
and J. III. Druchenmiller, of Post 226 Nomi-
nations were also made for other offices, pend
ing which an adjournment took place until the
following day. AT night grand public Camp
fire was held. Prominent gentlemen took
part, among them Gov. Pattison
A meeting Of the Veterans Rights Union of
the GAR. was held in the evening at which
the following officers were elected: Presi-
dent, J. G. Aitkin, OF Post 1911; Vice-Presi-
dents, Thomas g. Sample OF Post 12S; n.
q. Wilson, Of Post 8, and George B. Thatcher,
Of Post 100; Treas, G. J. Il. Miller, of Post 10 ;
Sec, L. Caldwell, of Post 10 Resolutions were
adopted for presentation to the Encampment
Oh the following day relative to the rights and
privileges guaranteed to them by section 1854
of the Revised Statutes of the United States.
They ask that the Department stand by them
in their effort TO have the statute enforced.
The next meeting will be held at Gettysburg
during the Summer Encampment.
AT the morning session on the last day the
election of Austin Curtin as Department Com
mander was announced.
The baloting for Senior Vice Commander
at the afternoon session resulted in the election
of A. p. Burchfield, OF Pittsburg. Other
officers were elected, as follows: Junior Vice
Commander, f. p. Amsden, of Scranton; Coun-
ell Of Administration, L. X. Sellers, John Hun
ter, W. Clark Johnson, Amos Coar and James Y.
Long: Inspector General. Thomas f. Maloney,
of Harrisburg. The newly elected officers
were installed by Past Department Commander
Chill w. Hazard. Department Commander
Curtin appointed Thomas j. Stewart Assistant
ant Quartermaster General.
Representatives TO the National Encampment
were elected and j. p. S. Goblin, of Lebanon
was chosen Representatives. large. The fol-
lowing dispatch was sent to Gen. Grant by
Department Commander Dyer:
The following adopted by rising vote Of the
Department Encampment of PENNSYLVANIA, Grand
Army of the Republic: ReSotred That this De-
parimet desires to express its warm fraernai SYM
pathy with our old commander and comradc, Gen
u. :. Grant and 10 assure him that he shall ever
hold the first place in hearts the man who
had the glorious privilege of leading armies
ana our navics 20 successful termination of the
war Tor the preservation of the Union.
The following reply was received from Gen.
Grant:
Your dispatch announcing the kind resolution
adopted by the Department Encampncnt of Penn
syvania is just received. feel very grateful for
the kind expressions of the veterans now assembled
al Harrisburg.
The convention then adjourned sine die
The next Encampment will be held at Scranton
The Woman's Relief Corps also held meet
ing at Harrisburg ON the evening of the 18th
and elected the following officers: President