Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-08-13

demanding that theencampments should
declare itself in no uncertain way on
the right of the negroes to meet the
southern whites on an equal basis.
By unanimous vote it was decided
to proceed to nominations for COM
mander-in-chief. When the roll of
states was called Wisconsin nominated
A. G. Weissert. Ohio nominated Gen. S.
II. Hurst, New York John Palmer and
California William R. Smedberg. Gen.
Hurst withdrew and on the first ballot
Palmer received 322 votes, Weissert
$50, Smedberg III On the third ballot
Palmer was elected.
Capt. John Palmer WIS born on
Staten island, N. Y. March %, 1912.
His first army service was in the Nine
ty-first New York volunteers. He en-
listed September 1, 1861, and remained
with the regiment until it was mustered
out July 8, 1865. He was participant
in all its engagements and was badly
wounded at Five Forks.
Henry M. Duffiield, of Detroit, was
chosen senior vice-commander; T. IS.
Clarkson, of Nebraska, junior vice
commander; S. B. Payne, of Florida,
chaplain, and B. T. Ste phenson, of
Two reports were presented upon the
question of separate departments for
colored veterans in Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi, and after a lively debate the
majority report, which was against -di-
vision, was adopted by a large major
ity. This was considered a great vic
tory for the colored veterans.
OTHER GATHERINGS.
DETROIT, Mich, Aug. IA new ma
tional organization with the title,
Comrades of the Battle Field" has
been established Its membership is
to be limited to veterans who were
under the fire of the enemy not less
than ninety days, or who were wounded
and disabled from further services
within that period. George E. Dalton,
of ST. Louis, was elected first major
general commanding.
The national convention of the ex-
prisoners of war adopted the draft of a
bill to be presented to the next session
of congress in behalf of soldiers who
were in prison for sixty days or more
providing they shall receive two dol
lars every day of their confinement.
They also adopted resolutions strongly
denouncing the proposed encampment
of the blue and the gray in Chicago
during the worlds fair.
The sixteenth annual union of the
United States veteran signal corps
shows mem bership of 5l2. At bust
ness session the reports of officers and
committees were received and new Of
ficers and committees elected as fol-
lows: President, L. R. Fortescue, OF
Philadelphia; secretary treasurer,
Charles Dewitt Marsh, Boston; his
torian, s. Willard Brown, Boston;
monument committee, j. F. Dryer, of
Amsterdam, n. Y, chairman William
Wise, of Lynn, Mass, J. b Foraker, of
Ohio, H. S. Taft, of Providence, B. L.,
and A. B. Capron, of Saltwater. The
latter committee raised 81, 600 by sub
scription from those present toward
erecting a monument to the United
States veteran signal corps.
KANSAS LADY HoNoRED.
DETROIT, Mich. Aug. THE fifth
national convention of the ladies of the
G. A. R. yesterday received the fra
ternal greetings of the G. A. r. encamp-
ment and elected their officers for the
coming year. National president, Mrs
R. j. Cartlege. of Kansas; senior vice
president, Mrs Alice Bishop. of Massa-
chusetts; junior vice-president Mrs
Nettie Sanford Chaplin, of Iowa; treas
urer, Mrs. Anna Geubb. of New Jersey;
chaplain, Mrs Alonzo Page, of Illinois.
BANQUET.
DETROIT, Mich, Aug Last even
ing banquet was rendered by the cit
liens of Detroit to the officers and dele
gates of the G.. A r encampment.
Gen r. A. Alger presided. After an
elaborate menu had been discussed Col.
Henry NJ. Duffield delivered an ad.
dress of welcome.