The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-07

John Palmer. OF Albany. Chosen by the Ens
causpment at Detroit.

H.
encampment was called 10 order promptly at
9 O'Clock this morning and the election Of
commander-in-chief was declared the frst
business. There were four candidates-Jonn
Palmer of Albany, N. u; A. q. Weissert OF
Milwaukee, Wis: w. L. Snedburg of Califor-
MIA. and s. III. Hurst OF Ohio. Before tho
first formal ballot General Hurst of Ohio,
peremptorily withdrew his name from the
consideration Of the encampment The bal
lot resulted, J. NJ. Palmer OF Albany, ~ y,
a22; Weissert 27O Snedburg Of California.
III. The roll was again called and on the
second ballot there were numerous defsc-
tons from the Wisconsin man. Palmer COM
ing within ten Of the number necessary 20 .
choice: Before the third ballot was ordered
the California delegation withdrew and cast
It's vote for Palmer. The latter's alection Was
then made unanimous. Col. Henry NJ.
Dutteld Of Detroit. was then elected senior
vIco-commander by acclamation.
sAILTso USDER FALSE coLoas.
There was an extraordinary and. according
TO many. unprecedented scene AZ last nights
reunion OF the Seventh Michigan infantry,
when MAJOR Robert H. HendershOt. known TO
Grand Army history ss The drummer boy
OF the Rappahannock," was called upon TO
prove TO the satisfaction Of the regiment that
he had really crossed with the Seventh. Gen.
ersl Alger was among those present
iiendershot produced letters support
ing his claim from lincoln. Burnside.
Grant. Horace Greeley and others. but on be-
ing put through vigorous cross-examination
became greatly confused. In response TO
call a score Of comrades from Massachusetts,,
Maine and other States rose 20 their feet krd.
facing Henderson,. declared that they bad
not seen him on December H. 1862. when the
regiment crossed the bridge. The scene was
dramatic in the extreme, and finally il was
decided that the drummer-boy title properly
hal 10 AfAfil
of Detroit.
NEW VETERAN ORGANIZATION.
A new national organization, with the title
OF The Comrades OF the Battle-Field," has
been brought into existence It's membership
- 70 be limited % veterans who were under
the fire Of the enemy not less than ninety
days, or who were wounded and disabled
from further service within that period.
George +. Dolton OF st. Louis was elected
the first msior-gonersl commanding.
The National convention of tho ex-prisoners
of war adopted the draft of bill 10 be pre-
fented to the next session OF Congress in be-
halt OF soldiers who were imprisoned for sixty
days or more providing that they shall receive
from the Government @2for every day Of their
confinement They also adopted resolutions
strongly denouncing the proposed enoamp-
ment OF the blue and the gray in Chicago dur
ing the Worlds Fair.
The United States Manned Soldiers League
in annual convention resolved that the suf-
ferings of the manned bad never been fully
appreciated by the Government, and ap-
pointed a committee to prepare bill Tor
presentation 90 Congress for increased pen
sions for the crippled clement. The veterans
of tho Mexican war decided tp invite tho
surviving veterans of Mexico to meet with
them III Washington next year. Congress IL
to be asked to foot tho bills.
TIKI COLOR LINZ ISSUE.
Later in tho day tho convention settled
down to fight on the color line issue IL
turned out that there was a majority and
minority report on this question. The former
opposed the proposition 70 create pro-
visional departments for the oolOrsd man.
while the latter supported il and ended with
resolution recommending the erection Of sep
srate departments for the eolored comrades 10
Louisiana aud other Southern States and en-
powering the commsnder-in-chieft TO take ao-
ton accordingly. Mr.. Decker. of tho
question Of drawing tho color line.
The colored men had separate schools
and churches. Johnson, Of Washing
ton a coored delegate. wanted 10 know why
they were 10 bo showed on at this late day,
and strongly attacked the minority. Another
colored delegate from Kentucky made
a hot speech, and when interrupted by
Becker retorted: You are one
Of tho ducks that hide their badges
down our way while you are flirting with the
Democrats" This brought down the house
and the uproar was terrific.
General Lucius fairchild made tie speech
Of the day. llo took the position that II the
colorod men wanted TO withdraw, as bad been
claimed. they ought 70 be al liberty 10 do II.
IL was evident, however that they did not
want to-
TIRE CASE or rEE SOUTH
PASTE Commander Graham, Of Louisiana.
presented the ease Of tho South ia al impas-
Ill ~. aaf1 1uf fla Ian lol
there was disposition 20 drive out oolored
men was erroneous Eighteen years ago
the first Louisiana post was organized and
by white men. IL was a time when
10 wear Grand Army button was disgrace
in that region, but perslstence had brought
the order up. They did not want 20 drive
away men who lived IN the North
and did not understand the situation
down South. There are Few whites
and a large number Of negroes and the lin.
WAS distinctly drawn. During the war
the negro was benefited by the soldiers
and why should he not be friendly Negroes
had been heard to say. Why should we thank
the whtes when il was by our own brawny
arms that we hays won our freedom" That
was the temper shown. lIllsses.l Per.
heps he. the speaker, had imperiled
his life for some OF those that
were now Kissing him. lApplause. Tho
whites had made their home ia the South,
and it was their right TO conform TO the social
rules around them When the first spphca-
ton WAS made for a coored post IL was re-
fused. Then certain posts were organized. The
speaker entered into a long explanation aud
continuing, said that while he had no oblsc-
ton u colorod soldiers, II vas necessary 70 IN
sist that the social aspect OF Affairs IN fhe
South demanded a change.
Tho whites II permitted would be wiling n
Withdrew and organize a department. 20
themselves There were colored men present
who knew the state OF affairs and knew the
present conditions could not continue. Kisses
aud cries OF No. Stung by the denonstrs-
TON Graham Moderated menacingly: Tho
quicker you fix this matter up the better"
score Of delegates rose ~ he sat down.
but hundreds of voices elam0red for vote.
The scene vas q bedlarn. la the midst OF the
uproar Yeasey put the question Of adopting
the minority report. There was a good
many 'ayesh but an avalanche Of 'noes." the
veterans in tho gallery making as much noise
40 the delegates on the toOr. Thesn the ma
jority report was put and carried 10 the safne
way while white and colored inen jumped
upon chairs, waving bandkerchiefs and Gre
ating pandemonium.
The Southern delegates took thsii defeat
very much to heart, snd one OF them shouted
above the din That's goodbye 10 us.H
Comrade Payne of Florida, WA elected
chaplain in chief aud the convention adj
journed until tomorrow.
s-~-------~----
saved by His 0randmotbrr.