New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-18
TROUBLE IN THE GRAND ARM J.
DIFFERING FROM COLONEL CLARKSoN.
THE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE AND THE DEPART
MENT COMMANDER DO NOT AGREE.


that the misunderstanding between the Memorial
Committee Of the Grand Army of the kepuphc
and Commander Floyd Clarkson. of the Depart
mcnt of New-York, G.. A. T., in regald TO the
parade of city posts tomorrow, which was Darely
limited at in Yesterdays Tribune because there
seemed to be a chance Of amicable settlement
has broadened out into a disagreement ana war
of orders which are, in the circumstances huch w
he deplored. When Commander Clarkson on Sun
day issued a general order, requiring posts 10
report at No. 80 Broadway by Tuesday the NUM-
her OF men who would turn out, etc. the memorial
Committee, which claims the conduct OF parades
ca far as city posts an, concerned, took umbrage
and George NJ. Van Hoesen, the chairman, sent
TO Commander Clarkson a letter in which lie
pointed out that the Grand Marshal OF the
Memorial Committee had. by the bylaws, the
duty of commanding the parade of the city posts
At Room 4, City Hall, some Of the comrades who
were seen by Tribune reporter on Monday asked
him to say "The parade of the New-iork City
posts will be under the auspices of the Memorial
Committee" and this he did. That same after
noon the following general orders were sent out
to all city posts
No. l. Having been elected to the Office of Grand
Marshal, | assume command AS it has boon arranged
thai the Grand Army of the Republic will parade at
the funeral Of late comrsde, General William T.
sherman You are requested to notify Inc at once If
your post will parade, in order that you may be
assigned TO your position In llne Make assignment Oh
one comrade for san. go
No. 2 Charles E, Hyatt. past grand marshal will
act chief Of staf for this occasion. and VIII DC
obeyed and Respected accordingly.
GEORGE CHAPPELL. Grand Marshal.
When the reporter called at the Memorial Com
mittee's rooms yesterday, he found them lilled
with comrades representing reporting posts, and
Mr. Chappel and Mr. Hyatt were busily engaged
in receiving the returns so as to prepare orders
At an early hour in the afternoon Mr. Chappen
said that fully two-thirds of the city posts had
already reported to him as requested by his oroer
There was a good deal of general talk among the
comrades present about Commander GARRISON
order: but there was a concurrence of opinion
that the matter was trivial after all, and would
be arranged without difficulty, although the De-
partment Commanders action was criticised for
its hastiness
Grand Marshal Chappell, however was strong
and decided in his expressions on the subject lie
said that he had been unanimously elected 10 MS
Office and that this was his first order ana ne
had no doubt the city posts would respec' u.
DEPARTMENT Commander CarlSsOn, he said, seemed
70 have an idea that the Memorial Committee hau
no right to act in charge of parades except o"
Decoration Day, which was an entirely wrong I'M
nression He added that orders for the parade
would he ready after the meeting OF the executive
committee of the Memorial Committee IN the even
ing.
E.x-Judge George NJ Van Hoesen, the chairman
If the committee, was seen at his Once III No %
Nassau-st. lie was disposed 70 smooth over uile
whole matter and set it down as a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ing of the most trivial character lie salu 'na'
his letter to Commander Clarkson nah oeth wiz
ten in the most friendly terms, and that there was
No disnute Commander Clarkson had acted with
tho very best motives. He had apparently INV
known that it was provided that the Uf'nu "''
shall Of the Memorial Committee snould can ou.
the city posts for parade on all such "'N
,Lo commander had mistakenly thought that I'M
LOGS he attended to the matter 1t woulo nou III
attended to at all. He thought thai now sihoe
Mr. Clarksop had been informed OF the position anu
duties Of the Grand Marshal OF the coinmi''ee,
everything would be amicably arranged anu "oui0
be all right. -, NJ. yon
1.-THE Memorial Committee, added MI va"
Hoesen. as corporation, and as much Oh io''s
nized authoritative body In the "raho ARMY ~
the State or National emcampTente' "heh IL
,,,x ,ncorporated in 1895, provision was made Tor
,nraI election of a grand MARSHAL. But III
the bv.aws the duties Of all Jhr OFFICIALS wv
49,. ~. orand marshal. were clearly defined.
:. According 10 the certificate of inoorporaneh'
a.. oh;eot and nature of the Memorial Committee
orc among other things, TO unite the posts 81 ,he
Crond Army Of the Republic, situated IN the CITY
y, Ncw.Yorl, in all observances of a general char
| oo,er as well as TO provide for the suitable
observance of Memorial Day in each year you
| coo its scope is wider than the mere observance
Of Memorial Day. 1t Ehes in all opserV'hces
~ q general character. like this one.
II am sorry that there has been this h'tc
misunderstanding as to the Crane narhals duties
at such a time But some tirc ago, alter soihc-
what similar misunderstanding, diew up Il
bylaw. which was added to those already III en-
istence but which, though KNOWN throughout V"c
nosts. and existing in writing, has not yc' pceil
rin,od bocanse no copies Of the bylaws have oeen
ruiu+od s,nce IT. was added. This by law states
,rhat had been before matter OF tradition, as II
we're namely. that the grard marshal OF inc
Memorial Committee has command OF all parauch
of city posts . co,,,
The reporter next called on Department Oonl-
mander Floyd Clarkson at No 50 broadway
He found that Commander Clarkscn TOOK very
stern. military, uncompromising view OF INC
| case. ,,
The Grand Army of the Republic is a military
organization" said the Commander III eHcc"
al am Commander of the Department oil New
yor, As such | have the right of authority in
from General Daniel Butterleld. and SO hod
ny authority by double right.
Il am exceedingly veXed that any trouble
should have arisen on this occasion. 1t is most
unseemly. 1t is very bad; very bad. regret that
the Memorial Committee should take such
course of action | hope that the good sense OF
commanders will prevail, and that all VIII be
| we'll number Of posts have reported TO me
at this office Here is an official copy OF my
| orders for the parade Ill, .u.
follow
that Comrade George Chappell, grand marshal OF
the Memorial Committee. has been assigned by
Department Commander ClarKson TO the conli,lanG
| of the first subdivision. and that the command
Of the second has been assigned TO Comradt
| Charles L. Hyatt who was appointed chei OF
! staff according TO the arrangements OF the Memo
| rial Committee.
| commanders Office, Department Of New-fork, Crane
| Army Of the Republic, No. 80 broadway, y;
| New York, Feb. 10, 1901.
In Compliance with instructions Of General panic
Butierfeld grand marshal, the department com
| mander hereby assumes command Of the Grand Army
| ~ The Republic column. which will take part In TN