The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-08
The GRAND ARMY.
News From The DepartmentS---NeW
Posts. etc.
THE ENGAGEMENT.

Authorization by other Departments and Posts.
MEETING OF THE DEPARTMENT COMMANDERS.
The Grand Army Of the Republic Com
msuders of eight Departments were in ses-
sion nearly all day, on July 80. at the Grand
Pacific Hotel. debating the stand they should
take in reference 90 the annual Encampment
next month at Milwaukee. The result OF the
MEETING was positive and unqualified indorse-
nent OF the announced determination 10 dis
courage general attendance in view of the re-
fusal 81 the railways TO make what they con-
slider satisfactory rates. The Departments rep
resented were: Illinois, by Commander Mar
kia. Iowa bv Commander Charles III. Davis of
Mount Pleasant; Minnesota, by Commander
A. Barto, OF Sank Center; Missouri, by Col.
Rogers, Of Springfield, representing Commander
Phelps; Indiana, by Commander Charles nj.
Travis OF Charlottesville; Michigan, by Com
mander NJ. Brown, of Big Rapids; Kansas by
Commander Booth, OF Larned; Nebraska. by
Commander J. d. Davis, of Wawhoo. The
conference was presided over by Gen. Martin,
and triple decision was reached.
REFUSED TO RBcEDE.
First That the Departments represented in
d0rse aud accept the manifesto issued in this
city July Q Ia which a general attendance OF
the Fncampment was to be discouraged If the
railways did not recede from their positions.
Second That the manifesto Of July was in
accord with the action Of the last National En-
resolution found in the Journal on pages 219
and 220.
Third. That sometime in the near future the
representatives present will issue circular
that viii he signed by the eight Department
Commanders with possibly few more, with
drawing the Departments represented from
the parade that j. advertised TO take place.
The resolution Of the Columbus Convention
referred to is as follows;
The National Council Of Administration be and
l. authorized and direCied 10 insist upon definite
CONTRACTS for transportation rates 20 the I'D Ma
tssIRl Encamunseni IL shall be the duly of the
Council 10 demand that n specific maximum rate
be fixed, aud plain and simple terms he made COW
ering every phase %! necessary and proper arrange
meaL u j. ordered tlist unless just. fair and rea-
somble contracts for railroad and hotel fares be not
made then the Council II authorized 10 fix upon
some afhcr location for Tie Encampment- Unless
railroads prescott relief to comrades, then various
Departments Val discourage the attendance OF all
except members
The manifesto Of July referred 10 is Cir
cular Letter prepared aud issued by the Depart
meut Commander Of Illinois. 1t was the first
indication Of open retaliation. and represented
only Illinois Posts. Continued agitation of the
matter and the refusal Of the railways 70 con-
cede terms as low desired broadened the
breach begun by the Illinois veterans. At the
present time the disposition against general
attendance is . universal one, shared by most Of
the Western Posts.
Tie meeting was the result of desire for
definite action.
THE ONLY SOURCE OF CONTENTION.
The chief source OF controversy was as 10 the
lauguage in which the confrmatOry declara-
ten should be couched. An effort was made
90 have am appeal issued 90 the Commsnder-in-
Chief, but il was argued that Mai. Warner was
SWAY out West among the Indians, and that
reply from him might be indefinitely delayed.
It was therefore determined that each Depart
ment Commander should act independently as
previously, and issue circulars in conformity
with those formerly sent out, bnt emphasiz-
ing the purpose 20 urge the comrades not to
attend the EncsmpmeBt as Posts or organiza-
t0nS
INTERVIEWS WITH THE COMMANDERS.
Gen. Martin said: There is now not much
dOuht about the outcome OF the fight The
halfway people have held US of on one pretext
and another. saying, Wait little longer; we
will see what we can do until we are tired Of
waiting. Every Department Commander here
to-day has authority 70 act for his State Posts"
a Does it destroy the chances Of big meet
ing At MiiWaukee1"
t" IL looks very much like t. We represent
the Departments that would have furnished
the crowd. IL only our Representatives 90. Of
course IL must virtually xiii the Eacamp-
ment"
Gen Martin said he did not know when the
General Order Withdrawing the Departments
from the parade would be made. None Of the
other representatives would express views on
the time il would be Issued The chairman
was given the privilege OF Resembling the
conference at any time. Gen. Martin said fur
Their that be was receiving from five 10 20
letters day Endorsing the sentiment Of the
manifesto Of July n. The other Department
Commanders talk in much the same way.
" There won't be anyone there from Indiana"
said Commander Travis, but the delegates.
The Posts arc ali thoroughly indignant. Gen.
Lew Wallace. Gen. NJ. ID. Manson, Gov. Hovey
and Others who were to attend have told me
they would not 60"
ACTION BY OTHERS.
The Department Commander Of Arizona has
issued circular reviewing the situation, aud
closing as follows: After a careful considera-
ton u all the correspondence received, ] fully
concur IN the action Of the Commanders Of the
Departments mentioned, and therefore Request
al comrades not members Of the National En-
czmpDent 70 remain st home"
the Senior Rice-Commznder Of Kentucky
telegraphed from Louisville: The four Posts
here, numbering 800 men, sustain your action
Of Jnly 2, and will sustain you to-day"
Robert Anderson Post. WatertOwn, Iowa
has passed the following resolutions:
Whereas the Department Comnianser has adj
yised tie comrades Of this Department. 20 refrain
from attending the National Encampinent vt Mil
wEaHker and lBas further announced thai he ,,l
mel appear la ihe parade nor make preparations
Cor reception unless advised that a considerA.
bic fauuteT will be in Htfendancc": Therefore
Reso fea ~ kSbeff 8adeFSOH Post No. g. al Water
loo. Iiat NE disapproSe Of the action Of the DE.
parisBeHt Commander ia this matter for tie lsl.
lowing reasons among Otbers:
J. lie has $40 Tigit 10 abandon the parade MOI
tie comrades ~ hO attend. be They few or many
= The AciiOB taken ~ great injustice the
comrades 81 Milwaukee. aud, n successful, IL
death blow 70 all future EHcarnpmenis.
II y so attempt al bOycotiing that places ths
G.h.R IN bad light before tic country aud ougli
90 be- 8TOHn ned down By All good citizens.
Ges0iHed, Ibat we have confidence ~ the ioyalt,
- cur ofder 81 Commander Smith; we fully sym
palize Blih Lin la is hot Resentment toward ID,
railroads for their breach Of good faith and iIiei
nf1Bst discrimination against Ne; and yet, beiiev
tilg tiat the steps taken 20 redress the wrong az
~ advised, we respectfully urge the Commander &
Feeaii Circular NOD, aud not 20 abandon the com
Esdes who will attend.
Tie Department Commander IL hereby advise,
that t45eTe viii be usual attendance from this Pas
at Gle i1nfainPIneHt. and we have "a right 10 hop
that may meet there the largest possible mum
Der 81 our old comrades la arms.
L. Thompson, AdjutaRt. Van Vert Post
FISHER, III, wishes 20 express the approval O
that Post on the action OF the eight Department
Commanders ia their contest with the rail
roads regarding the fare 70 the ERcasnpmeBt
a. well as Of IHE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, whic
is on the right side in this fight. lie think
the outside papers have been employed by ia
roads against these Commanders. One Of thes
papers says that the veterans are growing fewe
tn number year by year, and their thinne
ranks viii send annually fewer representative
q the kncampment, and not many years heBc
NO such gatherings will be held. The write
admits that the soldiers are dying off at q rapi