Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-08-12
THE OLD BOYS IN BLUE.
Grand Army Veterans Taking Their An
nual Outing.

troit tonight, and not one of them has
any appetite for another parade. They
are all opposed to it, and nobody blames
them. They had a tremendous march
to-day; at least they say SO. Many esti
mate that it was at least ten miles, and
they think they are getting too
near the sunset of life to
make such marches for a show.
But it was grand parade
and was witnessed, according to careful
estimates, by 100000 persons. The Wis
consin department was much admired.
Wolcott drum corps was one of the best
in line and the glitter and excellent
form of the Illinois department, which
preceded it. were not sufficient to OBJ
scure it in the least. Wolcott post did
some excellent marching.
The famous war eagle, Old Abe, was
cheered and cheered again. Veterans
from many states who know his history
said they felt like getting right down on
their knees and worshiping the bird,
and they were not idolatrous either.
The various candidates are pressing
their claims with increased energy to-
night, and the contest is by no means
over. Charles p. Lincoln, of Washing
ton, D. c., assistant commissioner of
pensions, has withdrawn from the race.
AS it stands tonight the choice of COM
mander-in-chief is between Weissert,
of Wisconsin; Smedberg, of California;
Hurst, of Ohio, and Hedges, of New
York Weissert's candidacy is the only
one that is sharply defined as to states.
The situation is complicated tonight by
sudden extravagant claims Of Ohio for
Hurst, and a rumor that Illinois may
decide to present the name of ex-Gov.
Richard j. Oglesby for commander-in-
chief
The next encampment Will be held in
Washington. Inquiry at the various
headquarters shows that Washington
will get IL by vote of two to one, It not
more.
The race problem still looms up ON
inously and the question upon every lip
now is, can this dispute be settled by
the encampment without serious dis
ruption by the Southern division ? The
whites Of the Department Of Louisiana
and Mississippi still insist that the negro
ex-soldier ought not to be admitted
with the whites, while the colored
veterans vow they will reject the
brotherhood of the e. A. r. rather than
submit to the conditions Of a separate
organization in each Southern state for
the colored members of the order. The
colored delegates from Louisiana will
make a request tomorrow to present
their side OF the case in an address to
the encampment.
Tonight was devoted to receptions to
the commander-in-chie G.. A. r. and
Womans Relief Corps and by the citi-
Zens of Detroit at the encampment hall.
Later in the evening another reception
was given the commander -in-chle at
the police building. On both occasions
Gen. Veazey made brief speeches.
DETROIT, Mich, Aug. 5.-The twenty
fifth annual encampment of the q. A.
r. met in formal session this morning
in the mammoth hall that had been set
apart for the business deliberations of
the veterans.
Despite the immensely Of the hall, it
was, crowded to its utmost seating ca
pacity by the multitude of veterans at
tracted by the momentous questions to
be settled at this encampment of the
order. 1t was fully understood that the
race question might be precipitaIed in
the deliberations at any moment and
become the subject of acrimonious dis
cussion, and this impending problem,
together with the projected revision Of
the constitution, combined to heighten
he general interest in the proceedings.
The opening address of the Command
er-in-Chief was listened to in rapt atten-
ton by the assembled veterans.
REPORTS OF STAFF OFFICERS.
The reports of other officers of the
staff were presented and spread before
the encampment. The adjutant gener-
al's report showed that on August IA,
1890, there were borne upon the rolls
of the order forty-tour departments
with 7,185 posts and 1877 ,491 COM
rades in good standing. The
consolidated report Of the ad,
ending June 80, 1891, as far as
the returns have been received, not all
yet being in, shows forty-fve depart
ments with Z 400 posts and 39S, 067 COM
rades in good standing. The sum ex-
pended in charity as reported for
the year ending June 80, 1890, was
$217 ,957.54 relieving q, 634 persons; for
the year ending June 80, 1891, $685.
$685.. The total number of deaths re-
ported for the year ending June 80,
1890, was $40, for the year ending June
80, 1891, was $3.50.
The quartermaster generals report
showed the assets of the organization
to- be as follows: Cash balance on hand,
81 ,SO4.1S; due by departments, 81 ,429.41;
less due by departments, $184.17; bal
tiACCs S1j-fo.Zf, OulUCu NtdCCS JULIUS,
1877, $4,000, with market value Of $1S,-
100; supplies, $2,941.65. Total assets,
$24,7l1,07.
THE GRANT MONUMENT FUND.
The report on the Grant monument
fund showed that while this fund in
1890 amounted to 81 ,307. 80, it had been
augmented but 1887 81 during the past
year. Of this amount, $226.16 was de-
rived as interest on the present fund,
SO that the actual increase by donation
had been but $l1.75. This paltrv sum
was reported by the state of Minnesota.
The nspector-generaPs report, after
detailing the condition of the order,
says in conclusion:
Our comrades in the stronger and more
prosperous departments should not be for
getful of the necessities of those in weaker
and less favored territories, and should as
sist and encourage them IN the good work
whenever opportunity offers. We should
be especially interested in sustaining our
sister departments in the South, as their
membership is largely composed of COM
radeS who, for reason Of failing health,
have been compelled to secure homes III a
warmer and more cOngenial climate.
DETROIT, Mich, Aug. Capt. John
Palmer, of Albany, N. Y, was to-day
Il iaf 81