The state herald., 1891-08-14
VETERANS OF THE q. A. r.
Forty Thousand Member. of the
Grand Army OF tho Republic
Meet In Detroit,

The twenty-Afth annual encamp-
mont Of tho Grand Army was held In De-
troit, Michigan, commencing on the 4th
Soldiers wers in line and the procession
was Oh this movs during six hours. The
weather was fair aid the citizens Of Do
troit and their visitors enjoyed the dsy 70
tho full. Several magnificent arches hGd
been erected along the limo Of march and
flags and other decorations were 70 be seen
every Where,
The department Of Colorado and Wyom.
ing had 100 men In line headed by the
Zouave drum corps.
Among the celebrities present were
Commandsr-in. Chief veszey, ex. President
Hayes, Secretary of War Proctor, the
governors Of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and
Vermont, and General Miles.
In the evening General veasey was ton
dered reception at the rink, together
with his Comrades and the Women's Rs
lief Corps and the Sons u Veterans.
The contest of various cities for the en-
campment next year was very lively, and
the great number Of bands in the city
were brought into requisition rs adver-
for this honor.
The oncampment met In formal session
Wednesday morning in the mammoth hall
thst had been set apart for the business
deliberations Of tho veterans. All that ar
and cultured taste eould do 10 mako the
building attractive hsd been sxerted in
the decorations which adorned tbs Inter
ior in cmblematic order.
Despite the immensity Of the hall 1t was
crowded 10 its utmost seating capacity by
the multitude OF veterans attracted by tho
fnsmsntous questions to he settled ut this
encampment Of the order. II was fully
understood that the race 1sestion might
be precipitated in the deliberations al any
moment and become the subject Of acri-
saonious discussions, and this impending
problem, tcgethor with the revision Of the
constitution, combined ts heighten the
general interest in the proceedings.
On roll call response was made from
every State and Territory, including Alas
ka, and the roll showed the fullest attend
anGe Of delegates In the history Of the or
ganization. The opaning address Of the
commander in chief was ilstaned to In rapt
attention by the assembled veterans. In
his speech he touched upon the race prob
lem in the order, and recommended that
in Louisiana IT. least q separate depart.
ment be formed for posts Of colored vet
Grams. He rtated that during the past
year 1888, 500. So had been paid out from
the relief fund.
Tho consolidated report Of the adjutant
general for the period ending Juno 80,
1891, as fsr as tho returns have been re.
ceivcd, not all yet being In, shows in good
standing 45 departments with 7,i3O posts
aud 39s, ,067 comrades in good standing.
The total number Of deaths reported for
tho year ending June 30, 1891, was $500
Tho wo,nan's Relief Corps was reported
70 be flourishing.
The afternoon session Of the national
cncampment was devoted almost entirely !
TO the discussion, regarding tho selection
OF the place for holding tho next eucamp'
mcnt After long and heated debate,
the matter was settled on the first ballot
by Washington securing a majority ol
twenty seven votes over Lincoln.
Resolutions were unanimously adopted
requesting Congress to pass law author
izing ths Interstate commission TO permit
ruifv-.- - give iuus--a an sv'-
dicrs and sailors Of the war Of ls6l-@
attending national cncampmonts. res
olution was unanimously adopted, limiting
tie length OF paradcs ut all future en-
campments TO two miles.
A great amount Of caucusing In tho In,
terests Of various candidates for com
maudcr In chief was done during the day.
Tho society known Us the " Comrades oi
the Battlefield" which included both but
aud gray, met and effected national or
ganlzn,ion by tho election Of George r.
Dalton Of st. Louis, major general.
The sixtecuth annual reunion OF thu
United States Veteran Signal Corps shows
membership OF 5is.
Immediately after tho meeting OF tho
encampmcnt this morning the election OF
a commander.in chief was declared the
first business. There were four candi
dates-.John Palmer Of Albany, New
York; A. G. Wcisscrt OF Milwaukee, Wis
con.Iu; W. IL. Smcdburg Of California, and
S. II. Hurst of Ohio.
The election was by secret ballot-a very
slow and tedious ballot. Tho first ballot
gave Palmer ia, Weissert go and Smed'
burg III.
On the second ballot Palmer was elected
and amid great enthusiasm the election
was made unanimous.
Tho other officers elected were; Senior
vice commander In chief, Henry NJ. Duf.
field Of Michigan; 7. s. Clarkson Of Ne
braska, junior vice commander In chief;
chaplain, S. II. Payne OF Florida; surgeon
general, benjamin Il. Stephenson OF Con
nocticut
The vexcd race problem camo up and
was quickly disposed Of Ex Congressman
William Warner OF Missouri, presented
the report OF the committee which recon
mendcd that authority should not be
granted TO the commander In chief TO or
ranye district departments for colored
| yctorans.S Judge Decker OF Colorado pro.
sented minority report iavoring separ,
ate departments.
By viva voeo vote tho majority report
was finally overwhelmingly ADOPTED.
Meeting OF es.Prisonors OF War.