The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-08-02
ENCAMPMENT OF '93.
The Commercial Club Moving to Have the
Grand Army People Come Here in That Year.

An effort will probably be made to secure
the meeting of the National Encampment
of the Grand Army of the Republic in In
dianapolis in 1893 Indianapolis was an ap-
plicant for the encampment in 1890 when
it went to Boston, but there was little
chance for having 1t held here then, for it
was the year that, according to custom. it
should have gone to an Eastern city. The
movement to secure it was not given the
local support that it should have had and
the department representatives have not
since made any determined efforts to
have the encamDment held here. Com
mander Walker and others of the depart
ment officers have said In reply to
all inquiries during the last year that In
dianapolis would not be an applicant for
ance of the usual order, should 60 East. and
is almost certain to be held in Was hin Q ton.
movement. however, to have the soldiers
meet here In 1898 has been quietly started
of which have been comforting with Com.
mander Walker on the subject during the
last few days II proper local support 10
given, Colonel Walker is willing to make .
determined effort 70 have the encampment
here in 1893. and thinks that 1t may be Sc
cured. 1t is not yet known whether Chi
cago will want il in that year, but it is
thought probable that she will. 1t is be-
lieved, however, that the chances are good
for Indianapolis to get 1t even in COMPETE
Our soldiers monument, and the war
memories connected with it will make the
city an attractive point for the soldiers. 1t
will be of more benefit to Indianapolis to
have the encampment in 1898 than In any
other year. 1t will help more than any
thing else could to attract attention to the
monument as result of which very many
of the visitors to the worlds fair night be
brought also to indianapolis. II the en-
campment is not held here in 1898 Indian
apolis will not be likely to get it before
1895. The matter will probably be consid-
cred at meeting of the directors OF the
Commercial Club next Tuesday afternoon,
and. If favorably acted on. it is understood
that the representatives of the Indiana De-
partment will 20 to work at Detroit to
have Indianapolis chosen as the meeting
place. 1t is believed that by next year
very strong sentiment In favor of this city
can be worked up among the veterans of
the country.
With the exception of the presidential
conventions. the encampment is the great
est Of national gatherings. and 10 by far
the most interesting. 1t brings into city
where it's meetings are held upwards Of
two millions of dollars and advertises it
in a way hardly equaled by anything else.
very large fund is required to defray the
expenses OF preparing Tor the encamprnent,
the work of which usually begins year
ahead, and for six months OF more an exec
utive force of twenty-five men is kept
busy. When the encampment was held in
Boston. where the arrangements were more
satisfactory than they have been
in any city in recent years, q
fund of $4,000 was raised for expenses. of
which $4,000 was appropriated by the
State and $4,000 by the CITY. the balance
being raised among the citizens. Detroit
is spending about $4,000 this year. While
q large fund is required 1t is believed by
the Commercial Club people. who have
been considering the matter, that the re-
CURED amount of money can be raised in
Indianapolis. and that 1t is highly desirable
that the encampment should be secured.