The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-07
THE GRAND ARMY,
Captain John Palmer Elected
Commander -in-Chief.
The Race Problem Met and Effectively
Settled for Ill Time.
Zoo Late New TO Divide on The Color Line.
Platform Broad Enough for ali
Sailors and Soldiers.
epeeiE 10 THE MORNING CALI

declared the first business. There were
four candidates: John Palmer of New
York, A. G. Weissart of Milwaukee, w. R.
Smedberg of California and S. H. Hurst OF
Ohio
Benjamin E. Bryant of Wisconsin placed
Weissart in nomination in an eloquent
speech and the nomination was seconded by
Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Kentucky.
Corporal Tanner of New York placed John
Palmer in nomination, and Massachusetts,
New Jersey and Pennsylvania seconded tie
nomination.
j. j. Hollingsworth of Ohio nominated
Hurst. ard W. Il. L. Barnes of California
nominated Smedberg. The latter's nomi-
nation was seconded by Nebraska. Kansas,
Oregon. Washington, Alaska, New Mexico
and Idaho.
just before the ballot opened, S. Il. Hurst
asked for recognition. The State of
Ohio" said he "believes in justice and fair
play and recognition Of all departments of
the G. A Il. 1t has been conceded for
years that whenever New York became
united on q candidate. this State. which
gave more men to the great army Of the
Union than any other State, should be en-
titled to the Commander-in-C Chief. New
York is now united on a candidate, and
desire to withdraw my name and second the
nomination of Palmer Of New York"
The election was by secret ballot, and the
announcement of the first ballot, with
Palmer far in the lead, indicated the GER
tainty of his ultimate election.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
M hnS
New York delegates during the second bal
lot, when Palmer led from the start At
the conclusion, when the result was still
somewhat in doubt. the California delega-
tion changed its entire vote to Palmer Pro-
longed cheering greeted this announcement,
which meant Smedberg's withdrawal and
Palmer's election.
An enthusiastic delegate at this juncture
moved that Palmer's election be declared
unanimous, and It prevailed amid the widest
enthusiasm.
For Senior Vice CommanGer-in-C Chief there
was but one candidate, Henry II. Dufied
Of Michigan, who was chosen by acclama-
ton.
7. S. Clarkson Of Nebraska, Peter B.
Ayers of Delaware and Albert E. Shields
of Georgia were nominated for Junior Vice
Commander in-Chief. Clarkson won on the
hrst ballot.
For Chaplain there were three candidates
S. E. Payne of Florida, D. c. Miner of
Kansas, and A. D. Kendrick ofIowa. Payne
was elected.
For SuTgeon-General Stevenson of Con-
nectieut was reelected by acclamation.
Past CommandeT-in-Chief William War
ner, Chairman of the Committee on Address
of the COmmandeT-in-C Chief, reported reso-
lutioDs, which were adopted, petitioning
Congress for legislation providing for the
custody and care of Mount McGregor cot
tage and for amendments to the Revised
Statutes providing more explicitly that
preference be given old soldiers in Govern
ment appointments and employment.
THE RACE PROBLEM.
The veXed race problem came up in the
encampnent this afternoon and was effect
ively settled for all time. The special
champion OF the negro race was ex-Con-
gresham William Warner of Missouri
Past COMMANDMENT Chief, and he is to-
night receiving the tribute Of the cclored
veterans, whose cause he so eoQuently es-
Toused. When the matter came before the
convention, Warner, as Chairman of the
Committee On the COMMUNICATIVE Chiefs
Recommendations, presented the following
report:
Your committee has, carefully considered the
clear aud frank statements CT the Commander
in-Chtef regarding the difficulties existing be.
tween posts In The departments OF Louisiana and
Mississippi. The committee has also considered
all lhe documents submitted TO and arguments
made before II as TO the causes leading 10 The
existing trouble in those departments. The old
posts, from TO 8, inclusive, III tile departments
OF Louisiana and Mississippi. are composed of
white comrades. The new posts, from 8 10 IL
inclusive, are composed OF cOlored comrades
The contention is that the latter posts are tainted
with fraud In their organization. The remedy
suggested, OF separate department OF concur
rent jurisdiction for colOred veterans, involves
an amendment TO our rules and regulations
During that herce struggle for the life Of the ma
ton we stood shoulder TO shoulder AS comrades
tried IL is too late 10 divide on The color
line. man who is good enough 10 stand be-
tween the flag ana those who would des rov it
when The tate of The nation trembling in the
balance is good enough 10 be a cOmrade in any
department OF The Grand Army Of the Republic.
No different rule has been, or ever shall be- rec
ognlzed by the survivors Of the Union army and
navy. No department should be established for
any color or nationality.
BROAD PLATFORM
The platform OF principles of the Grand Army
OF the Republic is so broad that all honoraby
discharged soldiers and sailors can stand upon
II. In The opinion Of your committee the TACT
that The Department OF Louisiana and Mississippi
consists OF posts, part of which are composed Of
white comrades and the others OF colofed com
rades, Is not sufficient reason for making this
radical change IN our rules and regulations, Our
Maternity, charity and loyalty should be wit
messed by our deeds as well as our words The
recommendation Of The Commander-[n.C Chief is
based upon the fact that seven OF the colored
posts OF tile DEPARTMENT of Louisiana and
Mississippi petliioned for separate department.
Comrades representing part OF their posts ap-
argument that 1t was their understanding and
that OF many others of the cOlored comrades,
TO be created In the Stale OF louisiana tbe came
as In other States, in which department all com.
Tades, white and black, should be equally en-
Titled 10 membership and further, that they and
those represented by them opposed 10 tie
creation OF separate department In view of
facts submitted 10 your committee 1t Is of the
opinion hat II would be inexpedient to place the
authority with the Commander-in-Chief 10 organ
dan rfm
This report was signed by William War
ner, John p. Rea, Lucius Farchild and
Henry Painter.
A MINORITY REPORT.
A minority report was presented by W.
5. Decker Of Colorado. He concurred in
the recommendations Of the Commander
in-Chief, ard recommended that the rules
and regulations be so changed as to author
lZe the.Commander-in-Ch to organize q
department in departments now existing
,; whenever satisfied, upon proper representa-
detrlment 10 the G. A. R., or any depart
ment organization. Mr.. Decker defended
ms minority report in a speech of some
iehglh; lie dwelt on the race distinctions
In thu South, and said IL we do NOT settle
the question now, it will be here continu.
ally until settled according to the condition
OF affairs found in Louisiana, Mississippi
and other Southern States.
Major Warner said that when these black
men and white men shOuldered the musket
in defense Of the Union, it was not a cues
tion Of etiquette or sOcability, but oafriot-
ism and loyalty. The black man fought
for flag that never, up TO that time, had
protected him in anything but bondage.
This organization had better bury the old
nag; the comrades had better tear the
buiton from their breasts than now, as our
heads ale silveriug, go hack on the prin-
clples Tor which we blcd." [Applause.1
EX-Comnapder-ia-Ch Fairchild. Com
rade Northcott OF Virginia and two c0lored
members spoke in favor OF the majority re-