Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-23

day of the National Encampment of the G.
A r. began at 9 o'clock this morning, at
Albaugh's Opera House. The first business
was the report of the committee to deter
mine the question of seniority of depart
ments. The controversy affects the States
of Illinois and Wisconsin, neither of which
is in possession of charter. Wisconsin
claims the seniority should be determined
by the date of the first department encamp-
ment; Illinois asserts that the statement of
R. +. Stephenson, the founder of the order,
should decide. Past Commander Wagner,
of Pennsylvania, chairman of the COM
mittee, reported, recommending the ap-
pointment of new committee, but the mat
ter was left open after considerable dis
cussion.
The report of the committee to which was
referred the Adjutant's report was next
presented The report recommended the
adoption of the recommendation that the
installing officer of post should make the
annual inspection, and that the per capita
tax for Grand Encampment purposes be
limited to 81! cents
Then came the report OF the Committee
on Rules and Regulations, making a mum
ber of recommendations upon requests for
changes submitted by the various depart
ments. The committee reported adversely
upon the suggestion from the Department
of Arkansas to change the regulation defin-
fng the right to wear the emblem of the
d. A r., and the request OF the Depart
Iments of Missouri, Oregon and of the Po-
tomac. that ''No person be entitled to wear
Naa Al, A ,,n1a
"a member in good standing in the G. A.
L" was recommended.
Limits of Appeals in Future.
The committee favorably recommended
the change suggested by the Department of
Oregon. that appeals from the decisions of
Post Commanders and posts be made within
four months from the time they are rem
dered, and that appeals in all other cases be
made within six months. The committee
reported adversely upon the recommenda-
ton OF the Adjutant General that the rules
and regulations be revised All these rec
concentrations were adopted.
In connection with this report the ques-
tion of abolishing life memberships in the
National Encampment came up. The De-
partment of Ohio recommended that Past
National and State Commanders be given
seats as honorary members, with out votes.
The majority of the committee rep orted ad-
versely upon this proposition, and from the
report that Comrade Phillips, of Ohio,
"under instructions from his department,
dissented from the views of the majority"
it had been expected that this question
would cause a considerable discussion, but
the position of the Ohio Department found
but few supporters. The report of the
committee was adopted by an overwhelm-
ing majority on a rising vote, there being
less than 20 delegates in opposition, outside
of Ohio.
Before proceeding with the election of
officers, which had been fixed for IL o'clock,
Junior Vice Commander 7. S. Clarkson, of
Omaha, on behalf of the entire membership
of the G. A. R in the United States, pre-
sented to Past Commander in Chief Wheel
ock Veazy striking oil portrait OF himself,
encased in handsome gilt frame. The re-
sponse from Comrade Veazy was very
touching and appreciative.
PaImer's Speech to BE Read Everywhere.
Past Commander in Chief John E. Rea,
of Minnesota, from the Committee on the
Commander in Chiefs address, reported that
the committee heartily commended the
patriotic sentiments and spirit of devotion
so eloquently expressed in the address. 1t
would be well, in the judgment of the
committee, to have it read in every post OF
the land. While it regretted certain com
plications (alluding to the race question in
Louisiana and Mississippi), the committee
was unable to see how the Commander in
Chief, having regard to the honor of the G.
A. R., could have taken any other action
and his heroic measures were approved.
The committee also approved the recon-
mendation that receptacle be provided in
the Grant tomb at New York for the roster
of the G. A. T. In addition, it suggested
that the encampment cause to be prepared
a suitable testimonial to the retiring Com
mander in Chiet, General Palmer, in recog
nition of his service. All the findings and
recommendations of the committee were ac
cepted by the encampment Thus question
the race issue-which had threatened tC
create dissension, was speedily settled by
the hearty approval of General Palmer's
action.
The report of the committee on the report
of the Judge Advocate General was sub
mitted, and as it approved all his decisions,
it was adopted without question.
Patriotism Teaching in the Schools.
Delegate Miner, of Kansas, from the
committee on teaching patriotism in the
public schools, reported recommending that
the Commander IN Chief issue circular re.
questing teachers in all schools to set apar,
the first day of each school year for incul-
eating lessons of patriotism. After some
discussion the report was approved, with
an amendment that the circular of the CON-
msnder in Chief ask for one days session
in the year, leaving the teachers free to
select the date.
Past Commander in Chief r. B. Beath.
of Pennsylvania, reported from the COM
mittee on the Grant memorial, that con.
tract had been made with Franklin SIM
MONS the American sculptor in Rome, fo,
a marble statue of General Grant, to be
erected in the city of Washington at a cost
of So, 900.
Next came the election of officers. When
the order was announced Colonel c. P, Lin.
coin, of the Department of the Potomac,
who had been prominently named as can.
didate for Commander in Chief, addressed
the encampment, Withdrawing his name as
candidate. lie said he had had assur.