The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-06
THE GRAND ENCAMPMENT
OPENING SESSION OF THE GRAND
ARMY AT DETROIT.

in-Chief's Opening Address-His Dec
laration in Favor of establishing a
Department For Negro Veterans
Creates Quite a Sensation.
DETROIT, MICH, Aug. 5.-The twenty
fifth annual encampment of the G. A. r.
met in formal session this morning in the
mammoth hall seu apart for the business
deliberations of the veterans. All that art
could do to make the building attractive
had been done in the decorations which
adorned the interior in emblems of the
order.
THE HALL CROWDED.
Despite the immensity of the hall it
was crowded 10 its utmost capacity by the
multitude of veterans attracted by the
momentous questions to be settled. Ii was
fully understood that the race question
might be precipitased in the deliberations
at any moment and become the subject Of
an acrimonious discussion, and this
impending problem, together with the pro-
ected revision of the constitution, COM
bined to highten the general interest in the
proceedings When Gen. VeazeY and his
staff entered the hall and were escorted to
the grand stand they were greeted with ap-
plause. A few minutes later two, bands
harmony with the martial scene.
CALLED TO ORDER.
The commander-in-chief raped the
assembly to order and announced the
formal opening of the 25th annual encamp-
ment of the u. A L. He directed the
sijutant general to call the roll of the de-
partments. Every state and territory was
represented.
The opening address of the commander
Iiafx Iicta rod 20
by the assembled veterans. The declaration
Of the commander~in-ohiefi in favor Of the
establishment of a department Of the
e. A. r. for negro veterans created a de-
cded sensation. 10 was hardly expected
that ne would so openly favor the separa-
tion Of the races, and the whites of Louisi-
ana and Mississippi were oVerjoyed at his
decisive recommendations.
RECOMMENDS NEGRO POSTS.
Commander Veazev went at some length
into the question Of Eegro posts. The pith
of his remarks is embodied in the folio wing
extract: The present administration en-
countered the same disturba lces in the de-
partment of Louisiana and Mississippi that
had troubled my predecessors. From
various sources of information that
have been accessible TO me +
believe that large majority Of both the
white and colOred comrades IN the depart
ment of louisiana aud Mississippi are strong
In the conviction that 1t would be for the
best interests of all individually, and of
their posts and Of the order to have sepa-
rate Department. in Louisiana and some of
the other gulf states made up of such posts
as may apply to come into it,
and having concurrent jurisdic
ton with the departments
already established in such states: concur.
rent iii respect to the chartering and mus
tering of the posts, but each department
having exclusive jurisdiction over the posts
which it may receive. My best Judgment,
after year Of panstaking investigation, is
that it would be wise to confer authority
upon my successor to create such a DEPART
ment. He may neither find it necessary
nor think it best to exercise the power
If conferred l have no policy to urge
other than such as will be for the best inter
ests Of the order and at the same time pros
tect the rights of all the comrades. IL can
not be expected that any plan will meet the
approval of oil the comrades directly inter-
ested. / regard the subject as one of the
first Importance and Invoke your deliberate
consideration and best judgment in its dis
position"
STILL UNSOLVED.
The race question still remains unsolved,
but will DO settled by the encampment to-
morrow. The whole matter is temporarily
10 the hands of a special committee ap-
pointed to-day, and IL is understood to-
night that majority Of this committee
will oppose the relegation Of the colored
comrades to separate departments. Lead
ing G. A. r. men OF Louisiana and
Mississippi insist that the Grand Army of
the Republic, so far as the whites are CON
cerned, will 90 to pieces in the south unless
this is done, while on the other hand ex-
Congressman Small of South Carolina, Col.
Lewis of Louisiana and other leading COL
0red men vow they will tear OFF their
badges and forever renounce the
y. A. R., unless the colored comrades in
every state are admitted to full fellowship
without race distinction or social distinc-
ton. The recommendations of Gen.
Heazeys annual address are unfavorable to
tne colored comrades, but the sentiment of
the encampment seems to be against separ~
ate departments.
JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERALS VIEW.
The report of the judge ad vocate general
uerlves Its chief interest from his decision
On the vexed race question. As his conclu-
oonS differ from the recommend ations
Vi the commander-in-chief, the dis
g gute is only further complicated. The
q question proposed is whether there can law
Il !9liY be two departments covering
t .ue same territory at the same
slne' Tor instance, department made up
VI white posts and the other of black posts,
VI one of foreign born and another Of
Il
general thinks the question must be an
s;"ered In the negative because the propo-
a.lon Is contrary to the usage and under
sanding of the order, and because the rules
anu regulations governing the organization
are against it.
ADJUTANT GENERALS REPORT.
q Inc adJutant generals report shows that
s r oueIe are In the order forty-five depart
inentS with 7,409 posts and 39S, ,O67 comrades
81 ~ a. good standing. The sum expended in
i onatItles during the year was $333, ,699,
bsalhSe s2l1 ,957 the previous year. There
t.e oeen $3.50 deaths this year, against
go go IN 1890 The total apparent member
up Is 444,307. The suspensions, delin-
doeneles and transfers bring the number
uo"n to 39S, ,6O7.
THE PENSION ROLLS.
surgeon General Stevenson read a letter
ba boh commissioner Raum, giving the num-
sr "a pensioners now on the rolls and the
sInot ount paid by the government for PEN
ynar; 1odrs u9rlng the present fiscal year. Sum
NJ e1 ~ II Is: Pensioners on the rolls
ol, le9l: Army invalids, 415.615;
,viJo- @ @I05,759. Navy invalids. 5, ,439 !;
y inTo1;s,, zS5. Act of June 27, 1890: Army
~ vsl;ds Isus ) 90, Az; widows. s,i14 Navy in
s,1rHiS, illus, o,oo2; widows, ,i1s. Mexican war
iSio s4rors, s 1890; widows, 6,95O. War of
f9o SSt l1vors, 295; widows, Z, ,753. Total,
SS1Uo9t 10 pay these pensioners win cost
o. iIne Tue present fiscal wear about S115