The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-06

Between the siue and tho Grsy-Ths Color
Line Drawn.

Line Drawn.
DrrRoIr. MrcH.. Auguss 5.-Ths twensys
6fth annual encsnpmeDt OF the @. A. Il. met
In formal session this morning In the NAM
moth hall that had been set apart for the bus
mess deliberations OF she veterans. All that
art could do to make the building attractive
bad been done in the decorations which
adorned the interior Ia emblomAtio order. At
the head Of the ball, over the platform. wss
large g. A. K. badge hanked on either
side oy American flags snd in the rear the
flag of the United States, also SET between
flags. From the ceiling hung clusters Of
flags OF all tho republics in the world.
Despite the immsnsty Of the hall. IL was
crowded 20 its utmost seating capacity By
the multitude of veterans attracted by The
momenfous questions % be settled at this
snosmpment OF tho order
II was fully understood that tho rscs cues.
tion might be prcc.pitated In the dslibef-
ations at any mornentand become the subject
of acrimonious discussion, and this impending
problem. together with the projected revision
of the constitution, combined 70 heighten
the general interest in the proceedings.
A few minutes before the hour Of opening
General Vessey and his staff entered The ball
and were escorted 20 tho grsnd-stand The
appearance OF the commander-in-cehef wss
the signal for generous applause, and minute
later tho two bands burst forth in an inspir-
ing military air in harmony with the mar
tial scene. Rappng the assemblsge
70 order. the commander-i r-in-ohief an
nounced the formal opening. OF the
twonty-ffth annual encsmpment OF tho q. A.
X. and directed the adjut8nt-general 20 call
the roll Of the departments. Every State and
Territory in the Union snot even excepting
far OF Alaska, was represented, and the roll
showed the fullest attendance Of delegates IN
the history Of the organization.
Commsnder-in Chief Veasey then delivered
hia opaninO aldraca kftax safoerfuo nathsst
cally TO the death during the past year Of
sherman, Porter, Usmiin. Beyins. Tobin aud
other honored members of tho order. the
commander chief continued: The present
administration encountered the same dis
turbances IN the department of Lousians and
Mississippi that had troubled my predecessors.
From various sources Of Information that have
been accessible to mo- believe that o large
majority ofboth white and oolored comrsdesin in
the departments Of Louisiana and Mississippi
are strong In the conviction that il would bs
for the bes, interests Of al individually. and
of their posts and Of the order. to have q
separate department in LouisanA and some
of the other Gull States made
up Of such posts a. may apply 10
come into 1t and having concurren Mt iurisdic-
ton with the department already established
in such States: concurrent ~ respect 10 the
charterinR and mastering Of posts, but each
department having exclnsiveiur isdiction over
the posts which il may receive.
Asa prelude 20 the address of the comman-
der-in-shiof. u quartette rendered several war
songs. III one Of them was interpoated the
line. There will bo no fusion OF the blue
and tho gray ss we 90 marching on
Az this suggestion the delegates rose On
masse and cheered verciterously.
No fusion in ours" shouted man in The
gallery, and the ground hoor chesred again.
Fx-Pfesident Hayes. Governor Hoyey q
Indiana, ex-Goyernors Alger of Michigan and
OOiaghV of fitnpia tha nfatfnPTn
and we're warmly received.
The address Of the cOmmand0r-in-clief was
listened b with close attention. Applause
greeted his declaration that the colorcd organ
nations should be recognized until the ques-
ton had been finally adJudicated but there
was much more of il when he recommended
that power be given his successor 10 create
another department.
After she reading Of the annual reports II tho
judge-adyOcato-genera and the adjutant-ge1-
eral a vote WAS taken on the place for hold
ing the next encampm0nt. Washington. ID.
O.. and Lincoln. Keb.. were the two COM
petitOrs When the last State had been called
the sheet showed . majority for Linz
coin but corrected account showed that
Washington had received 366 and Lincoln 939
votes, and amidst great confusion the con-
yention adjourned until tomorrow.
The committee appointed by the COM
mander -in-chief has completed its report in
tavors of giving the coloredi posts. Of the
South separate jurisdiction. GLOWING them
to choose their own officers and transact their
own business. This simply means the creation
of provisional department with its own com
mander for the States Of Louisiana. Mississip-
pi Texas. Georgia Alabama Florida and
South Carolina The delegations from Louis
lana and Mississippi are fuvorably Dis
posed to this COMPROMISE and General
Ladd, Of Georgia. will move the adoption of
the report. The colored delegates arc slow 10
express themselves regarding the proposition.
but It is thought that they will accept IL as
the best solution Of the difficulty that has
been offered They will, however. insist
upon tho question being finally decided ut
this encampment
Tomorrow the color question will como
mp for action and a warm time Is certain. A
good many ot the delegations csncusod To-
night 20 interchange views Renewed oppo-
sition is being manifested toward the propo-
sition 10 authorize the creation of new pro-
vincial department for coiored comrades only.
Leading delegates from Ohio. Kansas. Ver-
mont Michigan. and other States. expressed
themselves without reserve AZ 10 favor OF con-
pelling white posts 10 admit colofed members.