The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-06


DEl SoIT. Mich, August 5.-,Specia1l
The twenty-fifth annual encampment
OF the G.. a. Il. met in formal session
tbs morning in the Mammoth hall set
apart for business meetings of the old
veterans. All that art could do to make
the building attractive had been done
in decorations which adorned the inter.
lor emblematic of the order.
Despite the immensely Of the hall il
was crowded to its utmost capacity by
tho multitude Of Veterans attracted by
the momentous and unsettled race cues
ton which, it was understood, might be
precipitated at any momen. nd become
subject OF acrimonious discussion.
This impending problem, together with
the projected revision of the constitu.
ton, combined to heighten the general
interest in the proceedings When
General Vezy and staff entered the hall
ana am were escorted to the grand stand
they were greeted with applause.
minute lat n two bands burst forth in
an inspiring military air in harmony
with martial scene.
Tho commander. in-chief raped tho
assembly 10 order aud announced for
NAL opening of tho twenty.ufth annual
cncampmcnt Of the c. \. r.. and di
rectcd tho adjutant general to call the
roll of the department. Every State
and territory was represented. The oren-
ing address OF the commander-in chief
was listened to with rapt attention bv
the assembled Veterans.
fHE n Il Ia
chief in favor Of tie establishments of de-
partments OF the q. ~. L. for negro vet
Grams created decided sensa ton. IT. was
hardly expected that he would so openly
favor separation Of tho races, and the
whites OF Louisiana and Mississippi
wee overioycd at his decisive recon-
mendations.
Commander Veazey went at some
length into the question OF negro posts.
Inc heighth of his remarks is embodied
in the following extract: The present,
administration encountered the same
disturbances in the department OF
Louisiana and Mississippi that had
troubled my predecessors. From the
various sources of information that have
been accessible TO me, bellows that i
large majority Of both white and col
ored comrades in the department Of
Louisiana and Mississippi are strong in
tho conviction that it would be for the
best interests of all individually OF their
posts ana of order, to have separate de-
partincntS i'll Louisiana and some OF
otncr Gull States made up OF such posts
as may apply 10 come into it and having
concurrent jurisdic ton with the depart
mont already established in such States;
concurrent in respects to chartering and
mastering OF posts, but each department
having exclusive jurisdiction over the
posts which it may receive.
My best Judgment, after year of
painstaking investigation, is that it
would be WISE to confer authority upon
my succ ,ssor to create such depart
ment. lie may neither find it necessary
nor think it best to exercise the power
if conferred. l have no policy to urge
other than such as will be for the best
interests of tho order, and ut the same
time protec, the rights of all comrades.
1t can not bo expected til 1t any plan
Will meet the approval OF all the com
raucs directly interested. ] regard the
subject as one OF first Importance, and
invoke your deliberate consideration
and best Judgment in its dispersion
The report OF the Judge advocate gen
eral derives It's chief interest from his
decision on the race question. AS the
conclusions differ from the recommends
tons OF the commander. in. chief. tho
dispute is only further complicated.
The decision is as follows; The uues-
tion proposed is whether there can law.
tully be two departments covering the
same territory at tho same time: for in.
stance, department made up of white
posts and another of black posts Tho
Judge advocate thinks the ques ton must
be answered in the negative because the
proposition Is contrary to the usage and
understanding OF the order and because
the rules and regulations governing tho
organization are against il,
Washington was selected on the arst
ballot "a the location Of next years en-
campmcnt.