The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-06
THE SILVER ENCAMPMENT
Encouring Reports Of National Off,
GERS Of the G. A. r. at
Detroit.
Difference of Opinion on the Sub
ject OF Separate Colored
Departments.
Washington Chosen as the Place of Hold
Ing the Next Encnn npment-Navai
Veterans-W. Il. q.

DETROIT, Aug. 5.-The twenty-fifth an
nual oncampment of the G. A. X. met in
formal session here this morning. Art and
cultured taste had been exsrted to make the
mammoth building attractive. Despite the
immensity of the hail it was crowded to the
utmost When Gen. Venzey and staff on
tered the hall and were escorted to the
grand stand there was great applause.
Rapping tho assemblage to order he an
nounced the formal opening of the epoamp-
ment. and the roll-call of departments
showed that every state and territory of the
union was represented and also showed the
fullest attendance of delegates in tho his
tory of tho organization. The opening ad-
dress of the commander in-chef was list
ened to with rapt attention.
Comrades" said Gen. Veazsy, "this is
the silver anniversary OF our BIRTH not of
our wedding. The wedding occurred when
the bridegrooms-the youth Of the land
enlisted in it's defense. Abraham Lincoln
celebrated the marriage nuptials. Colum-
bia was the bride. Hor vesture was the
nations flag and the pledge was to re-es-
tablish that flag over the domain of seces-
NlAs OcGshHlH was UH5 price Ol uoE lluuu.
When the pledge was grandly redeemed
through bloody strife, through suffering
and death. and after the victory had been
won, We placed on tho brow of tho bride a
new diadem, whose gems were honor,
valor, fame, liberty, unstained with
slavery, the country united and free. The
fruit of that marriage was the Grand
Army Of the Republic. an offspring
worthy Of its royal parentaGe."
Touching alluson was made to the
numerous deaths in the order during
the past year, special mention being made
of Sherman and Porter. Tribute was paid
the present and prospective usefulness of
the Sons of Veterans organization, which
was increasing in membership yearly.
In touching on the negro question as af-
fecting the G. A. r., Gen. Venzie reviewed
the difficulties which existed over the col
and Mississippi ever since they organized.
Continuing he said that while charges
have been made that the organization of
these posts was SO tainted with irregulari
ties an to be utterly destructive of their
legal existence he had not been informed
that the rules and regulations providing for
procedure in order to test the validity of
such charges had been followed in this case.
He held that in dealing with those posts
they must be regarded as having legal ex-
lsIGuC0 uuLlk ObltIWlb8 regularly du-
Indicated. Aa commander chief he
ordered an Investigation by the inspector
general into the affairs of this department.
The Recommendation of the inspector gen
eral was that this encampment authorize
the creation OF a separate department cover
ing the same territory rs several existing
departments in tho south. This was sup
ported by memorials from six posts in the
departmen oornposetl OF colored comrades.
He beloved that the large majority of both
white and colored comrades in the depart
ment of Louisiana and Mississippi was
strong in the conviction that it would be
for the best interests of all to have sepsr-
ate department in Louisiana and some of
the other gulf states, made up OF such posts
as may apply to come into 1T, and having
concurrent jurisdiction with departments
already established in such states. His
policy was such as would be for the best in
terests OF the order and at the same time
protect the rights of all comrades.
During tbs year now closing the Q. A. II.
and the Woman's Relief corps has paid to
distressed comr rades $153,000 Referring to
the Mount hicGre2or cottage, where Gen.
Grant died, Gen. Veazey recommended that
the encampment take action to secure from
the government an appropriation for the
maintenance OF the property and its pres
ervation in the same condition as it was at
the demise of Gen. Grant. Failing to Sc
cure the appropriation by congress. he sug-
gcsted that trust fund be established or
that the maintenance of the cottage be in
sured by charging a tee to visitors. In re-
gard to memorial hall Mt Decatur, ILL.,, the
birthplace of the G.. A. R., he recommended
that this enoampment take action to aid
the project.
In regard to the disability pension bill
passed by the last congress he said if it was
not the wisest, it was certainly very lib
eral measure. lie urged the encampment
to renew the effort to procure an amend
ment to the revised statutes which should
give preference in appointments to civil
offices to union veterans.
Tho only new department chartered dur
ing the past year was that of the Indian
territory.
The eommander-in- chief closed his nd
dress with reference to the observance of
Memorial day and the high principles
which actuate the e. A. Il,
The declaration of the commander-in-
chief in favor of the establishment of de-
paltments for the negro veterans created a
decided sensation, and the whitea of Louis
lana and Mlssissippi were overjoyed at his
Recommendation.
The acknowledgements report for the
period ending June 30. 1891, shows forty
five departments, with Z, 400 posts, and 1885,
067 comrades in good standing. Expended
in charity, as reported, for the year, 1884
600. Total number of deaths for the year,
$3.50.
The quartermaster-g generals report
showed assets OF $25,0C0. A report of tho
Grant monument fund showed that 10 was
augmented by $2a,7 79l during the year.
The report Of the judge advocate general
on the yexed race question differs from the
conclusions and recommendations of the
commander in-chief.
His decision is as follows: The question
proposed is whether there can lawfully be
two departments covering the same terri
tory at tho same time.-for instance, do
partment made up of white posts and an
other of black posts, one of foreign born
and another of native born. / think the
question must be answered IN the negative.
The idea 10 contrary to the usages and the
universal understanding of the order hth-
erto. Additional departments in states
may be formed ON lines of color. of birth,
or they may be on lines of personal antipa :
thies. or upon disa.reements of any kind.
But without advertyng further to obvious
evils likely to follow from establishing ri
val departments in any state, it is enough
to say that the rules and regulations do not
provide FOR, nor warrant the establishment
Of more than one department in any state
or territory"
Tho surgeon general reports that the
amount OF = Jig, ,0O0, 600 has been expended in
pensions during the fiscal year.
The afternoon session was devoted al
most entirely to discussion of the place of
holding the next encampment. After n
long and heated debate the matter was