The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-08-13

| placed WelSSart in nomination in ar
eloquent speech. Weissart's nomina'
ton was seconded by the states of Illi
nois, Iowa, Indiana and Kentucky.
Corporal Tanner, of New York,
placed Palmer in nomination. and Mas.
sachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsyl
J. J. Hollingsworth, of Ohio, nomi
mated Hurst, and w. L. Barnes, of Cal
ifornia. nominated Smedbury.
The election by secret ballot was a
very slow and tedious process The
first ballot gave Palmer, 1922; Weissart
27O; Smedburv, 1T. No choice.
The result of the ballot was: Palmer
1872; Weissart, 270; Smedbury, 1T. Nc
| choice.
On the second ballot Palmer led
from the start, and upon motion his
election was made unanimous.
COL Henry NJ. Duffield, of Detroit
was elected senior vice commander by
acclamation.
T. s. Clarkson. of Nebraska; Peter
B. Ayers, of Delaware, and AL
bert E. Sholes, of Georgia, were
nominated for junior vice commander
in-chief. Clarkson won on the first bal.
lot. For chaplain there were three can
didates-S. B. Payne, of Florida; D. c.
Miller, of Kansas, and A. B. Kendrick,
of Iowa. Mr.. Payne was elected. Sur
geon-General Benjamin T. Stevenson,
of Connecticut, was reelected by &C.
clamation.
ICapt. John Palmer, the new commander in
chief, was born on Staten Island March %
| lS42, and has splendid war record He en-
| lifted in the Ninety-tirst volunteers, Septem-
Der 10, 1851, and was constantly with that regi
ment until it was mustered out July 3
1885, taking part in all its engagements.
He was seriously injured at the battle
Of Five Forks in the combined charge
of cavalry and infantry. Since the war
| he has been engaged in the fresco painting and
decorating business at Albany, N Y, and had
the contract for the decorating on the new
state capitol. AS q m amber Of the Grand Army
| of the Republic he was for several terms COM
mander Of Lew Benedict Post No. s. was
elected commander Of the New York depart
ment, and in 1879 was elected senior vice com.
mander in chief, all Of which important posi-
tions he flied with credit. He is said to be a
| forcible speaker, model presiding officer at
| department and national conventions, and has
frequently Ooen pIdCcu ~ Iu0 u00N Vi
portant committees by both state and national
| encampments.
The negro problem was brought to
the front by the report of the commit
tee appointed to consider the question
of separate department for the COL
| ored veterans. Ex-Congressman Viii.
liam Warner, of Missouri, as chairman
of the committee, presented an extend
ed report. After quoting freely from
the statements of Gen. Veazey favor
ing a separate department the report
says:
'Tt is too late to divide now on the color line
A man who was good enough to stand between
| the flag and those who would destroy It wher
| the fate Of the nation was trembling in the
balance Is gooc enough to be comrsde in any
department Of the Grand Army Of the Republic
No different rule has been, or ever shall be-
| recongnized by the survivors Of the union army
| and navy. No department should be estsb
| lished for any color or nationality.
'"The platform Of principles Of the Grant
Army Of the Republic is SO broad that all hon
orably @diSchafged soldiers and Sailors car
stand upon it. In the opinion OF your commit
| tee the fact that the department Of Louisiana
and Mississippi consists Of posts part o.
which are composed Of white comrades
| the OLn0rS OF COlOrcO 6ucS-lb u(
suficient reason for making this rad
ical change in our rules and regula
tions. Our fraternity, charity isnd loyalt,
should be Witnessed by our deeds as well Is oul
| words. s.Gas ELf
| The Recommendation Of the commander IL
chief Is based upon the fact that seven Of tn,
| colored posts Of the department Of Louisiana
and Mississippi petitioned for . separate de
partment. U
I'm view Of the facts submitted to your com
mittee it is Of the opinion that It would b
| inexpedient TO place the authority with ths
commander in chief to organize new or pro
visionsi departments in ststes in which thert
are organised departmental" =
The following minority report was
presented on the subject: #sGk
II concur in the Recommendations containe<
in the address Of the commander in chief II
reference to the dificulties existing in the de
| partments Of Louisiana and Mississippi and
therefore recommend the adoption Of the fol
lowing resolution:
Resolved, That the rules and regulations b
/ 20 changed as to authorize the commander II
chief TO organize departments Of the Grant
Army Of the Republic In departments now ex
| isting whenever satisfied upon proper repro
] sentations that they may be organized without
detriment 70 the Grand Army Of the Republi,
/ or any department organization existing Il
states embraced therein. w. s. DECKER."
Gen. Lucius Fairchild made tn