Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-06
IS ELECTED.
Continued from, Firsf Page.

tOutt0eIeU from r uH rage.
somewhat in doubt. the California delegation
changed its entire vote to Palmer. Prolonged
cheers greeted this announcement which
meant Smedbery's withdrawal and Palmer's
election.
PALMER ELECTED BT AccLAMArIoS.
An enthusiastic delegate ut this juncture
moved that Palmers election be declared unan-
imous and II prevailed amid great enthusiasm.
Capt. John Palmer. the new commander-in-
chief, was born on Staten Island, March %,
1912. and has splendid war record. He en-
listed in the ninety first New York volunteers
Sept 10, 1861, and was constantly with that reg
iment until IL was mustered out July 8, 1865,
taking part in all it's 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 Al
bany. Wy, and had the contract for all the
decoration on the new state capitol. As men,
Der of the GAR. he was for several terms COM
mander of Lew Benedict Post, No. s;
was elected commander Of the New
York department, and in 1879 was
elected senior vice commander-in-chief,
all of which important positions he filled with
credit. He is said to be a forcible speaker,
model presiding officer at department and ma
tional conventions, and has frequently been
placed at the head Of important committees by
both state and national encampments.
Col. Henry M. Duffield OF Detroit was elected
senior vice commander by reclamation.
THE COLOR LINE DISPUTE.
The NEGRO question is the subject of dis
cussion this afternoon. 1t will occupy all the
afternoon, but the indications are that the col
orsd comrades will win and that the white G.
A. X. men Of Louisiana and Mississippi will be
compelled to admit the negro ex-soldiers to
full fellowship in those states or leave the Or
der.
This means the rejection by the encampment
of the recommendations Of Commander-in-Ch Chief
Veazey, and herculean efforts are being made
In certain quarters to prevent this. The whites
OF Louisiana and Mississippi still vow they will
leave the order if the colored ex-soldiers
win this fight for recognition.
TIE RACE DISPUTE.
Accusation has been created by the announce
ment that the report Of the special committee
ton of separate department for the
coiored veterans. This is in accord
snce with the suggestions Gen. Veazey but
can only be adopted byohe encsmpment after
bitter fight. Ohio and several other promi-
nent state departments will oppose the scheme
to a man.
ROBBED OF B1s REPUTATION.
There was an extraordinary and according to
many an unprecedented scene at last nights
Runion Of the seventh Michigan infantry, WI en-
Maj. Robert ". Henderson,, known to Grand
Army history as ''the drummer boy of the
Rappabannock," was called upon to prove to
the satisfaction Of the regiment that he had
really crossed with the seventh Gen. Alger
was among those present. Henderson, pro-
duced letters supporting his claim from Lin
coin, Burnside, Grant, Horace Greeley and
others, but on being put through vigorous
crosse Examination he became greatly confused.
In response to a call a score Of comrades from
Massachusetts,, Maine and other states rose to
their feet. and, facing Henderson,, declared
that they had not seen him on December IL,
1852, when the regiment crossed the bridge
The scene was dramatic in the extreme, and
finally it was decided that the drummer boy
title properly belonged to John I. spillane, o
police officer of Detroit