Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-07
G. A. R. ENCAMPNENT.
Palmer of New York Elected Com
mander-i r-in-Chief.
THE COLOR LINE QUESTION
Stirs Up Great Deal Of Excitement in the Ocnvsn-
ton-Ihs Bncampment Decides in Favor Of the
"OOlOrsd Troops" Who Fought Just
as NObly as the Whites.

bright and balmy as the previous days
of the reunion.
To-day closes the business sessions or
the order, and the veterans are fast
leaving the city. 1t has been indeed
week of reunions. No less than eight
National organizations are in session or
have adjourned, and the Encampment
in its many innovations has certainly
been greater success than any which
have preceded it.
The Encampment was called to order
at 9 o'clock. The report OF the COM
mittee on the negro question was not
ready for presentation and the Encamp-
ment proceeded with the regular ousi-
ness on the programme for the day.
The Ohio delegation entered protest
against the sales of duplicate badge
medals of the Encampment, and the
body was about to appoint a committee
to investigate the subject, when Col.
Duffield stated that the Michigan De-
partment owned the die and would not
have it put to any illegitimate uses.
| The matter then dropped.
BY q unanimous vote 1t was decided
to proceed to nominations for Command
r-in-Chief. When the roll of States
was called, Illinois responded that it
had no candidate. Wisconsin nomina-
ted A. G.. Weissert, Of Milwaukee, and
| Gen. Lucius Fairchild made stirring
speech in his behalf. He said that
Weissert was the best Grand Army man
that he had ever met, and would make
an honest, able and efficient Com
mander.
Weissart's nomination was seconded
| by the States of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana
and Kentucky.
Corpl. Tanner, of New York, placed
Capt. John Palmer, of Albany, n. Y, in
nomination, and Massachusetts,, New
Jersey and Pennsylvania seconded Pal
mer's nomination.
j. j. Hollingsworth, of Ohio, nomina-
ted S. II. Hurst. of Ohio, and w. II. L.
Barnes, of California, nominated Col.
w. f. Smedburg, of California. The
latter's nomination was seconded by
Nebraska, Kansas, Oregon, Washing
ton and Alaska. New Mexico and
Idaho.
- .orvro suU oaTIot opened, S. II.
Hurst, Ohio'S candidate, asked for
recognition. "The State of Ohio"
said he, "believes in justice and fair
play, and recognition to all the depart
ments of the G. A. R. Applause 1t
has been conceded for years that when
ever the great State of New York be-
came united on candidate, this State,
/ l. ~
army of the Union than any other State,
should be entitled to the Commander
in-Chief. New York is now united on a
candidate, and desire to withdraw my
name and second the nomination of
Palmer, of New York" Cheers and
applause.
The first ballot resulted: Palmer, 800,
Weissert, 270; Smedburg, 1T. Great
enthusiasm was manifested by the New
York delegates during the second bal
let, when Palmer led from the start
Each gain was greeted with applause,
but most of Palmer's acquisition was at
the expense of Smedburg. AT the con-
clusion, when the result was still some
what in doubt, the California deega-
tion changed its entire vote to Palmer.
Prolonged cheering greeted this an
nouncement which meant Smedburg's
withdrawal and Palmer's election. An
enthusiastic delegate at this juncture
moved that Palmer's election be declar-
ed unanimous and it prevailed amid
widest enthusiasm.
Capt John Palmer, the new Com
mander-in-Chief, was born on Staten
Island, March %, 1S42, and has splen-
did war record. He enlisted in the
Ninety-frst New York Volunteers, Sep
tember 10 1861, and was constantly with
that regiment until it was mustered out,
July 13, 1865, taking part in all its en-
gagements. He was seriously injured
at the battle OF Five Forks. in the COM
bined charge OF cavalry and infantry.
Since the war he has been engaged in
the fresco painting and decorat-
ing business at Albany, n.
Y, and had the contract for all the
decorating on the new State Capitol.
As member of the G. A. r. he was for
several terms Commander of Lew Bene-
dict Post No. 5, was elected Commander
of the New York Department, and in
1879 was elected Senior Vice Comman-
der-in-Chief, all of which important
positions he filed with credit. He is
presiding officer at Department and
National Conventions, and has fire.
quently been placed at the head of i'm
portant committees by both State and
National EncampmentS.
For Senior vice commander-in-chief
there was but one candidate, Henry NJ.
Duffield, OF Michigan. being chosen by
acclamation. I. S. Clarkson, of Ne !
braska, Peter Bayers, of Delaware, and !
Albert E. Sholes, of Georgia, were
nominated for junior vice commander
in-chief. Clarkson won on the first |
ballot. For chaplain there were three !
candidates, S. b. Payne, Florida, d. C. |
Miller, of Kansas, and A. B. Hendricks, |
OF Iowa. Mr. Payne was elected.
Surgeon General Benz. T. Stevenson,
of Connecticut, was reelected by accla- |
nation.
Past Commander-in-Chief William
Warner, chairman of the committee on
address of the Commander-in-Chief, re-
ported resolutions which were adopted, !
petitioning Congress for legislation for |
the custody and care OF Mount McGregor |
cottage, and for amendments 10 the re-
vised statutes, providing more explicitly |
that preference be given old soldiers in
government appointments and employ
ment.
The yexed ''race problem" came up |
in the Encampment this afternoon, and
was effectively settled for all time when
Mr.. Warner, as chairman Of the Com
mittee on Commandsr-in-Chief's Recon- !