The record-union., 1891-08-04
Special to the REcoRp-UN1oN.

DETROIT (Mich.), Aug. 3.-The twenty
fifth annual encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic will formally
open tomorrow forenoon. At that time
the Commander-in-C Chief will head the
Inc of march and will review forty or
y thousand veterans as they pass be-
e the magnificent view of the stand.
his has been reception day of the en-
apment. It is estimated that there are
vv,J00 visitors in the city tonight, but
the great crowd is not expected until to-
morrow morning.
There is strong rivalry for the posi-
ton of National Commander-in-C Chief,
but thus far it has been in the nature of a
friendly competition, and is unmarked
by strife. The leading candidate of those
mentioned in last nights dispatches is
acknowledged to be Colonel Weissert of
Minneapolis.
The main fight for the location of the
ton, d. c., and Lincoln, Neb., with the
chances favoring the former.
II. II. Bishnall of the Lincoln delega-
ton says Lincoln is the center of vast
territory, in which reside 100000 veter-
ans, all of whom would prefer Lincoln
have the support of South Dakota, Kan
sas, Iowa, Colorado and other States"
said he, ''and we shall see delegates as
fast as possible from other States"
No arrivals at the Central depot created
more excitement to-day than the Georgia
and Florida Departments. There were
$50 in the latter delegation, and nearly all
were bedecked in hats of not only curl
GUS construction, but made of natural
seaweed. They were in charge of De-
partment Commander Welch of Welch-
town, Fla. One car Of their train was
filled with the products of Florida, from
a live crocodile, ten feet in length, to a
melons in great profusion, banana trees
In blossom, olive and orange trees, and
any quantity of phosphate which prom
ises to eclipse the orange as a fortune
maker to the citizens Of Florida.
Colorado and Wyoming are here in
force, and what they lack in numbers
they make up in noise and show, having
two boy Zouanes drum corps with them
Ex-President X. B. Hayes, Com
mander-inChief of the Order of Loyal
Legion, arrived from Ohio to-day. He
was met by the local delegation of the
Loyal Legion and escorted to the home of
Colonel ). II. Hecker. Commander
Hayes was rendered a reception at Colo
mel Hecller's residence this evening, and
all the members of the Loyal Legion paid
him their respects.
The Rhode Island contingent of 200
men. mostly members well known as
Slocum Post of Providence, marched to
the hotel escorting twenty-five women.
The Department Commander is Adiu-
tant-General Prentiss. Slocum Post
proudly carries the old battle flag, which
at Fort Pulaski and other places was rid
died with bullets.
Behind the Rhode Island contingent
nod ~
son as Commander. Tney have forty
iair comrades. They are the advance
guard only, and assert confidentiallv
that their State will have LOCO men in
line.
a small number of South Dakota vet
Grams marched behind the Iowa men.
The Ladies of the G.. A. K. are arriving
in the city. They comprise the wives
mothers, daughters and sisters of vet.
Grams. Among the officers of the national
delegates present are National President
Mrs. G. T. Hurst, Mrs. Mary Ellington.
Secretary, and nearly all State Depart
ment Presidents and $50 delegates.
Governor Page of Vermont and a num-
Der of his staff are in the city, and Gov
ernor Thayer of Nebraska, Congressman
Henderson of Iowa, ex-Congressman
Small of South Carolina and A. p. Davis
of Pittsburg, founder of the order of Sons
of Veterans, are also among the recent
The New York delegation, 1000 strong.
arrived late this evening, and a 500 dia-
mond badge was presented TO General
Alger tonight by his admirers of the G.
a. X.
The Department of Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi will revive the color fight in
the encampment. Charles T. Fink, AS
sistant Quartermaster-Gene of this de-
partment, said to-day: I'VE have come
up to this encampment to make fight on
the color line. We object TO colored
members of the G. a. r., and want them
formed into separate organization 1t
is all right here, where in the North YOU
have only colored veterans, but do YOU
know there is any number of colored
members of the G.. A. r. who are not
thirty years old? They swarm in our
posts, and the white man has no show.
We will not associate with them, and if
the present convention does not do some
thing to relieve the Southern posts of this
growing trouble, the white G. a. X.
veterans will withdraw
Commander-inC Chief Veazy tonight
declined to discuss the ''color'' dispute,
and was disposed TO minimize the inn
portanca of the question in the CON