Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-08-08
The G. A. r. EncAMPMEnT.

Eight Department Commanders Firm in
The Determination Not to Attend the
Milwaukee Encampmsnt.
CHICAGO, jury 81 The Grand Army of
the Republic department commanders OF
eight States were in session nearly all
Yesterday ut the Grand Pacific Hotel de-
batting the stand they should take in refer.
ence to the annual encampment next
month at Milwaukee. The result of the
meeting was a positive and unqualified
Endorsement of the announced deter nina
ton to discourage general attendance on
account of the railroad refusal to make
rates.
The States represented were Illinois,
Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Indiana, Mchi-
gan, Kansas and Nebraska. The confer
ence was presided over by General Martin
and triple decision was reached: First,
that the posts represented indorse and ac-
cept the manifesto issued in this city July
z IN which general attendance at the en-
campment was to be discouraged il the
railways did not recsde from their posi-
ton; second. that the manifesto of July
was in accord with the action Of the
last National Encampment at Columbus,
u, as Endorsed by the resolution found in
the journal on pages 219 and 900; third,
that some time in the near future the rep
resentatives present would issue a circular
that would be signed by eight department
commanders. with possibly few more,
withdrawing the departments represented
from the parade that was advertised to
take place.
The resolution Of the Columbus conven-
ton referred to is as follows: 1.-The ma
fional council of administration be End Is
authorized and instructed 70 insis upon
definite contracts for transportation rates
10 the twenty third National Encampment
1t shall be the duty of the council to de-
mand that specific maximum rate be
liked and plain, simple terms be made
rnd proper arrangements made. II is or
Tered that unless just. fair and reasuna BILE
contracts for railroad and hotel fares be
not made then the council is authorized to
Tx upon some other location for the en-
rampment. Unless railroads present re-
lief to comrades then the various depart
nents will discourage the attendance of
hll except members.
The manifesto of July referred to is a
Iii cular letter prepared and issued by the
department officers of I inois. l. was the
first indication of retaliation ard repre-
scented only Illinois posts. Continued
agitation of the matter broadened the
breachsbegun by the Illinois veterans and
at the present time the disposition az ainst
a general attendance is general one,
shared by most of the Western posts.
desire for definite action.
General Martin says there is now not
much doubt about the outcome of the fight
The railway people," he says, have
held us off on one pretext and another,
saying Wait little LONGER, we will see
what we can do until we are tired of
waiting. Every department command L
here to-day has authority to act for his
State posts"
Does it destroy the chances of q big
meeting at Milwaukee,"
'lt1oOks very much like it. We repre-
semitic States that would have furnished
The crowd. If only our representatives
go, of course it mustvirtualiy kill The en-
campmeut"
General Martin said he did not know
when che general order withdrawing the
Sta les from the parade would be made.
None of the other representatives would
express his views on the time 1T would be
issued. The chairman was given the
privilege of reassembing he conferen ce
at any time. G. enera Martin aid
further rhat he was receiving from five to
twenty letters day indorsng the senti-
ment of the manifesto of July 2 The
other department commanders talk in
much the fame way.
The department commander of Arizona
has issued circular reviewing the sitEa-
ton and closing as fo4ows: AFTER a
careful consideration. of all the corre-
spondence received ] fully concur in the
action of the commanders OF the depart
ments mentioned and therefore request
all comrades not members of the Nationa /
Encampment to remain at home"
The senior vice-commander OF Kentucky
telegraphed from Louisville: '!The four
posts here. numbering 500 men, sustain ed
your ion of July and will sustain you
to-day"
ON IT'S TRAVELS.