The Portland daily press., 1886-01-23
C. A. r.
The Next National Encampmsnt at
san Francisco.
What Department Commander Hall
Says About 1t.

The Montuelier military band has been en-
gagged to accompany the Vermont delegation
to California, and delightful and interest
ing trip to the Golden Gate is promised. The
Department of Vermont is the first among
the departments of the country to hold an
annual encampment since the National En-
campment at Portland. ommander-in-C Chief
Gen. S. S. Burdett came on from Washing
ton and Vice Commander in Chief Selden
Connor of Maine to confer with the Grand
Army comrades of Vermont concerning their
wishes regarding the time for the California
meeting Gen. Burdett will visit the Mas
saehssetts and Connecticut encampments
next week on similar mission.
In an interview with Gen. Burdett Thurs
day concerning the next National Encamp-
ment, he said:
l think the coming encampment at San Fran
cisco will be the most notable and enjoyable OF
any ever held by the Grand Army. The citizens
and veterans Of San Francisco have raised $780,
600 to receive and entertain visiting delegates
and comrades The Department of California
propose to give the Grand Army boys most royal
welcome and to literally strew their path with
flowers The railroads across the Continent pro-
rates of transportation The roads west of the
Missouri river have already fixed upon the very
moderate rate OF $50 for round trip tickets from
all Missouri River points to San Francisco. This
is $35 less than the Knights Templar rate last
year. The roads east Of the Missouri River have
points tSet g agreed upon rates frem New England
NJ iscm Boston and New England points to
not exceeding $50 As to thee he te tRheea at Pres
the encampment, Gen. Burdett says: "The mat
ter of fixing the time has been left with me: 1t
will be held some time between July 20 and Aug.
15. / shall soon decide upon the week, being
governed by the wishes of the departments in the
vii be he9 the t week IN
Gen. Burdett expressed himself as much pleased
at the prosperous condition of the Vermont G. A.
r. He thought Commander GreeRleaf's report
the best one he had ever read.
Gen. Burdett leaves for Washington today.
The Commander-in-chief received hearty
welcome from the Grand Army boys.
A reporter for the PRESS saw Gen. J. A.
Hall, Department Commander for Maine, at
the Preble House last night and asked him
what he thought of the proposed time for
holding the National Encampment. General
Hall replied that he thought August 1st an
inappropriate time for the rank and file of
the Grand Army. 1t is too hot to travel
then, said he, over the alkali plains with any
comfort, and it is time too when those who
are engaged in farm work, and they are
AAi"hJ, N"Anoo 81 " SOuAoO Uhc AiSn CoHou
officers and members who have plenty of
means, and general tourists who want
junketing, can go long before the hottest
weather and stay some time after the en-
campment. But as the date will be selected
to suit Washington and the clerks in depart
ments, it will cut off the opportunity to go
from all but the regularly appointed dele
gates in the Eastern States.
The reporter asked the General who he
thought of the two candidates mentioned as
his successor, had the best chance. He re-
piled that Capt Lane and Major Holman
were both excellent men.