The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-04
Gathering Of Veterans and Their
Friends at Detroit.
The Annual Grand Army EnCampment 10
Open With Magnificent Review.
Friendly Rivalry for the Position Of Com
Notwithstanding COlOr Question
ReYlYe1 by Southern Delegates.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

DETROIT (Mich.). Aug 3.-The twenty
fifth annual encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic will formally open
tomorrow forenoon, at which time Com
| mander-in- Chief Veazey will head the line
of march and review 10000 or $4,000 vet
Grams as they pass before the magnificent
reviewing-stand on Woodward avenue. To-
day has been the reception day of the en-
campment. 1t is estimated that there are
$4,000 visitors in the city tonight, but the
great crowd is not expected until tomorrow
morning.
There is strong rivalry in the race for the
position of National Commander-in-C Chief,
but thus far it has been in the nature of
friendly competition and is unmarked by
strife. The leading candidate of all those
mentioned in last nights dispatches. is ac-
knowledged to be Colonel Welssert of Mil
waukee.
Weissert was q prominent candidate for
the position one year ago and withdrew in
favor of General Veazey. lie will prob
ably get the support of General Veazey's 5
friends and is strong candidate.
Colonel Smedberg is probably the most
enthusiastic G. A r. man on the Pacific
Coast. He has done much toward organic
ing and booming the G. A r. in California
and other Pacific Coast States, and is very
popular throughout the West. He is also a
very energetic and enthusias site Loyal Legion
man, and will get the support of the mem
bers of the. Loyal Legion attending the en-
campment.
General Hurst is popularity known as
Fighting Sam," and comes with the unani-
nous backing Of the Ohio delegation.
Colonel Lincoln is a well-known Michi-
gan man. who now holds the position of
Deputy Commissioner of Pensions. He
will get the unanimous vote of Michigan,
and may get support from the Eastern
States.
In addition are mentioned the names of
General II. A. BarnurI of New York City,
General John Palmer of Albany, and Gen
eral Ira NJ. Hedges of Haverstraw, n. Y.
The main fight for the location OF the next
encampment is between Washington and
Lincoln, Ne6r., with chances favorng the
former. Il. NJ. Bshneil of the Lincoln
delegation says that Lincoln is the center OF
vast territory in which reside 800, 600 vet
erans, all of whom would prefer Lincoln to
W 'oh iAlE bou VI any otlCl Cily' hG EdNt
the support Of South Dakota Kansas, Iowa,
Colorado and other States," said he. "and
we shall see delegates as fast as possible
from the other States"
No arrivals at the Central depot created
more excitement to-day that the Georgia
and Florida departments. There were 150
in the latter delegation, and nearly all were
bedecked in hats of not only curious con-
structon but of natural seaweed. They were
in charge Of Department Commander Welch
OF Wechtown, Fla. Onecar oftheir train was
filed with products of Florida. from live
crocodile ten feet in length to a bunch of
seaweed. They had watermeOns in great
profuSion, banana trees in blossom, olive
and orange trees, and any quantity of phos-
phate, which promises to eclipse the orange
as fortune-maker for the citizens of Florida.
Colorado and Wyoming are here in force,
and what they lack in numbers they make
up in noise and show, having two boy
zonaves drum corps with them.
Ex-President Rutherford B. Hayes,
Commander-in-chief of the Order of Loyal
LeIion, arrived from Ohio to-day. He was
met by local delegation of the Loyal Le-
gioD, and escorted to the home of Colonel
Hecker. Commander Hayes was rendered
reception at Colonel Hecker's residence
this evening, and all members of the Loyal
Legion paid their respects
The Rhode Island contingent of 200 men,
mostly members of the well-known Slocum
Post OF Providence, marched to the hotel,
tScorting twenty-five women of the party.
The Department Commander is Adjutant-
General Prentiss. Slocum Post proudly
carries an old battle flag, which at Fort
fulaski and other engagements was riddled
with bullets.
Behind the Rhode Island contingent
marched $50 Iowans, with c. l.. Davidson
OF Hull as Commander. They have forty
fair comrades, and are the advance guard
only, and assert, confidently, that their
State will have 1000 in line.
A small number of South Dakota veterans
marched behind the Iowa men.
Ladies of the G. a. r. are arriving in the
city. They comprise the wives, mothers
daughters and sisters Of veterans. Among
the officers and national delegates present
are: National President, Mrs. G. f. Hurst
Mrs. Mary a. ELLINGTON, Secretary, and
nearly all the Stale Department Presidents
and go delegates.
Governor Page of Vermont and a num-
Der of his staff are in the city, and Governor
Ihayer Of Nebraska, Congressman Hend-r-
son OF Iowa, eX-C0ngressman Smalls of
South Carolina, and A. p. Davis of Pitts
burg, the founder of the Order of Sons of
Veterans, are also among the recent ar
rivals.
The New York delegation. 1000 strong.
arrived late this evening
a 500 diamond badge was presented to
General Alger Tonight by his admirers of
the G. A. R.
The special train from California has ar
rived with Colonel Smedberg and forty or
more OF his ardent friends on board They
were followed by contingcnts from Colorado
and Wyoming
Secretary Proctor while in this city will
be tho guest of General Alger.
Secretary OF the Treasury Foster arrived
later in the day.
Regular trains from Kansas arrived this
morning with 400 veterans. 200 members of
the Womens Red Cross and large number
OF citizens. The Kansas delegates have a
grievance against the railroads
department Commander W. III. l.. Barnes
OF California is in the city, Commander
Barnes is expected to make speech to the
encanlpment when he proposes Colonel
Smedbergs name as the California candi-
date for Commander-in-Chief
he Washington delegation arrived in
the city this forenoon. The train was gayly
decorated in national colors. The delega-
ton was accompanied by number Of proni-
nent ladies'.
The department of Louisiana and Missis-
slppi will revive the color fight In the en-
campment Charles f. Fink. Assistant
General of this department.
SAID to-day: I'VE have come up to this en-
campment to make fight on the color line.
we opJect TO colored members of the G. A.
II. anu want them formed into separate
organization. 1t is all right in the North.
where you have only few colored veterans.
But, do you know, in the South there are any
number OF colOred members of the G. A. r.
who are not 80 years cid. They swarm in
our posts and white man has no show.
We Will not associate with them. and if the
present convention does not do something to
reileve the Southern posts of this growing
trouble the white q. A. II. veterans will
withdraw"
Commander-in-C Chief Veazey tonight de-
cilned to discuss the color dispute, and was
disposed to minimize the Importance of the
question in controversy.