Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-12
A GRAND ARMY BOYCOTT.
Circular Issued Against the Railroads.
No Turnout This Year.

The GAR circular against the railroads
was formulated in Chicago yesterday and viii
De sent out broadcast through official channels
to-day. Following is the full text Of the inter.
esting document:
after long-continued effort on the part o.
large number Of the department command.
srs of the Grand Army of the Republic. sup
Slemented by earnest appeals to the railroad
officials from our commander-in-chief and the
executive council Of Milwaukee, we have failed
to secure for the old soldiers the customary
rate Of one cent per mile to the national en-
campment to be held at Milwaukee, Wis. dur
ing the last week in August
In view of the fact that rate of less than
one cent per mile has recently been given to
the German turnverein national meeting at
cincinnati, and rate of one-haf cent per mile
has been given to the Niagara Falls excursions,
there Is general feeling that the men whose
services and sacrifices alone made it possible
Tor those railroads to exist. and share in the
prosperity which has attended the nation in
recent years, are fairly entitled to at least the
rate which has been asked. The refusal of the
railroads 70 give this rate is unjust discrimi-
nation against the veterans of the late war. 1,
therefore, in concurrent action with the de-
Partment commanders of Michigan. Indiana,
kentucky. Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska,
and Minnesota. who to-day will issue similar
circular to their respective departments. re-
quest all comrades of this department, as a
matter of self-respect and self-defense, and out
of love for our order, that they forego the an
ticipated pleasure of meeting their comrades
at the national encampment by remaining at
home, only those attending who are duly
elected delegates. or ex-offcio members of the
encampment. Let us, in dignifed but reso-
lutte manner. resent this great injustice sought
to be melted out to the old soldiers by the rail-
road managers.
Il issue this request with much regret. 1t
will be great disappointment to thousands of
comrades in this and other departments to have
the anticipated grand reunion resolve itself
into a mere formal business session. 1t will
also be a great disappointment to the comrades
and patriotic citizens of Milwaukee, who are
doing everything in their power to give their
visitors a generous welcome. They are entitled
to the thanks and best wishes Of all the COM
rades of the Grand Army of the Republic for
their efforts, and it is to be regretted that we
cannot. with any degree of self-respect, reward
them for their arduous labors by our presence
at the encampment. Personally. / shall be
greatly disappointed. 1t has been nv ambition
and endeavor to have the department of
Illinois the largest department represented at
the encampment on the day of the grand parade
and review; However, with principle in
yolved, and with the question OF rate for
future encampments in view, / believe that
am doing right in thus addressing you. and
that the comrades throughout the department
Will indorse my action in recommending that
only delegates and members of the national
encampment attend the Milwaukee gathering.
recommend the organization of county and
district reunions throughout the department
where such organizations do not already exist
in order that every old soldier may be given an
opportunity to meet his comrades around the
campfire in gladstone reunion"