Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-10-16
NATIONAL GUARD ENCAMPMENT.
Proposition for u Big Camp at the
worlds Fair.


Worlds Fair.
The scheme of an encempment for the
National guard at the worlds fair has al
ready been noted in these columns Brig.
Gen. W. L. Greenleaf, commander Of the
Vermont brigade, is favorably impressed
with the plan which has lately been further
perfected. A brief outline of it will be
read with interest by every member Of the
National guard in the State. The idea was
f,rst presented by Col. Henry i. Turner at
a banquet rendered to the officers of the
first brigade during the encampment Of the
first brigade of the Illinois National guard
in Camp Lincoln at Springfield.
1t IL proposed to have a camp located
within a convenient distance of the worlds
fair grounds with commodations for light
regiments, each OF which contains ten com
panies Of 60 men each. There will be a
large parade ground 1240x140O
feet Ia dimensions, surrounded by
driveway 100 feet wide. Mess
tents, kitchens, hospitals, stables will
bs furnished, and also family barracks
SO that families of guardsmen can accom- =
pany them and be quartered at the camp
Pavilions are to be erected along each regi-
mental front as resorts in very warm or
stormy days. The camp would be supplied
in every part with city water from Lake
Michigan. The commissary arrangements
have been carefully considered ana the
materials, cooking and water service will be
of the BEST the whole to be provided by the
encampment company. The family bar
racks are located back of headquarters, and
the rooms are to be from - to 20 feet square
one on main floor and one in half story.
connected by stairs Dining rooms and
kitchens are to be in separate buildings
reached by walks under the veraudas
Col Turner states that the main idea of
his plan is to give the guard the best time
compatible with military discipline and SOL
derly conduct All drills are to cease by
| II a. M, and troops will be allowed to visit
the fair on condition that they return to
camp by 8 O'Clock in time for dress parade.
| As to the question "Who pays the bills ?"
| the guard is now seeking from Congress a
permanent increase in its appropriation,
and until that is secured no other
demand for worlds fair encampments
should be made. The worlds fair
peope can't and won't supply the funds
| The money should therefore como from the
regular State appropriations The estimate
is that New York and Pennsylvania can
send their troops for week at from $50 to
$50 per man, provided the men waive their
pay. The rates that will probably be do
cded upon at the camp are SID per day
per man for the troops, and - per person
for families.
1t is a money making enterprise in the
same sense that summer hotel is. Certain
Accommodations will be furnished at a certain
specified price. Some of Chicagos best
business men are behind the enterprise
Though specially planned for the Ma
| tonal Guard it is uot expected that they
will occupy the camp more than ~ or l,
weeks. The remaining II or ID weeks vii
be given to entertaining the Grand Army
Sons of Veterans and the uniformed orders
of various civic societies, etc.
Experienced and practical men in tbs
National Guard say that tho plan is feast
be: that it would not only add to the ut
fractions of the fair but would be of grea
benefit to the Nat onal Guard OF the differ
ent States The directory of the world''
fair will be asked to adopt the camp as ar
auxiliary attraction, giving the euttrprise
their sanction and influence, but Cam
Columba' would be a National Guart
camp under National Guard control.
1t is proposed that meeting be held i,
Chicago the latter part of this month or tn
first of next, at which prominent officers O
the guard are expected to be present to tai
over the projec..