The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-05

Preparations at Milwaukee Brought toa Stand
still by the Buster of State Commanders.

MILWAUKEE, Wis, July 4.-Preparations
for the national encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic, which was to have
been held here in August, are at stand
still. Nothing will be done. either, next
Thursday night. when the encampment
council will meet. Matters are decidedly
mixed up, and to say that the citizens of
Milwaukee are disgusted with the whole
affair is to put it very mildly, indeed. The
cause of the present troubleis is the fact that
the department commanders have broken
out again, and in their attempts to frighten
the railroads are putting Milwaukeeans in
a decidedly unpleasant position. For the
last six months preparations have been go
ing on here for the proper reception and en-
tertainment of the $50. 900 veterans who were
expected to be in attendance. A bill was
passed by the Legislature authorizing the
levy of a special tax of $4,000. and guar
anty fund Of equal amount was about to
be pledged when the trouble over railroad
rates arose. Already more than 5000 has
been expended in preparations, over 1900
OF this amount going to the Grand Army of
the Republic men who have had charge of
the headquarters here. in payment of sal
aries. This money has been advanced by
levy of $4,000. Now. however, in the face
OF this, it has been resolved by eight differ
ent State commanders to issue orders ad-
yising Grand Army of the Republic men to
keep away from the encampment unless
rate of cent mile is granted by the rail-
roads. The programme laid out is to hold
simply a convention of delegates in Mil
waukee instead of q national encampment.
unless the railroads agree to the terms laid
down by the managers of the Grand Army
of the Republic. This Is very nice pro-
gramme, and. If carried ont. will undoubt-
edly cut Oft a great deal of patronage from
the railroads.
But there is another phase to it which
Milwaukeeans are not ct all slow in seeing.
That is that If only few hundred dele
gates are coming here there is no necessity
for making any special preparations for
them. Last night, Tor instance, before this
voted $500 for q grand naval battle. Now.
$500 naval battle for few delegates is
considered trifie rich. Indeed there are u
large number of other features which are
to be considered. Tents and other sleeping
accommodations have been contracted for
TO accommodate at least 100000 veterans.
If only % few hundred are coming these
orders viii be promptly reScinded. There
Is also another feature of the case which
was brought ont by Colonel Watrous last
evening, at the meeting of the encampment
council. it is that if convention of dele
gates alone is to be held Milwaukee has no
desire that it be held here. 1t has been un-
derstood that a national reunion was to be
hold here, and no side-show will be
expected in its stead. There is at
present great deal of popular in
dignatiOn at the way in which
matters have been conducted, and
there will be more in case there is not de-
cided change in the management at once.
For instance. an official Grand Army of the
Republic organ was established here and
indorsed by the Grand Army officials Mil
waukee merchants advertised literally in
it in anticipation of visit from thousands
of veterans all over the country. If the
present threats are carried out these veter-
ans will be kept away from Milwaukee,
and Milwaukee merchants will be swindled
out of just as much money as they invested
in advertising in this official organ. There
are a large number of other instances in
which money has been expended upon the
representation that the great encampment
was to be held here. A sharp and decis i've
turn is to be taken at once if the talk of the
business men of Milwaukee goes for any
thing. Either all this talk and buster Is
to be stopped, or the Grand Army of the
Republic can go somewhere else with its
convention of delegates. A member of the
encampment council said to-day that no
further efforts would be made to raise a
guaranty fund. and that all work would be
stopped until the matter was decided.