The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-09-23
THE HOMEWARD MARCH.
VIII Be Taken Up by Veterans Who
Attended the G. A. R. En-
campment

Gen. Weissert, OF Wisconsin,
Elected Commander-in-C Chief
Almost Unanimously.
Union Veterans not Allowed to March
Behind Confederate Fisgs-Unioa
VeterAng Union Received Coldiy.
| WASHINGTON. Sept. 22.-The first business
OF to-day's session Of the Grand Army OF
ths Republic encampment was the report of
| the committee to determine the question of
seniority Of departments affecting Illinois
and Wisconsin. neither of which Is in
possession Of charter. Wisconsin claims
that seniority should be determined by the
date of Che first department encampment;
Illinois says the statement that Il. +.
Stephenson. founder of the order, should
decide. The matter was finally referred to
the new committee to report next year.
Tho report Of the committee on the adju-
tant generals report recommended the
adoption of the suggestion that the per
capita tax for grand enoampment purposes
be limited to ~ cents. The committee on
rules reported on q number Of topics and
its recommendations were adopted. The
question Of abolishing life membership in
tho national ensampmsnt came up, the
department of Ohio recommending that
past national and state commaders bo given
seats as honorary members without votes.
The Ohio proposition was defeated by an
overwhelming majority. Junior Vice Com
mander Clarkson, on behalf of the entire
mem bership of the G. A. r., presented Past
Commander Veszy with handsome oil
portrait of himself. Past Commander Rea,
Of Minnesota, from the committee on COM
msndsr's address. reported that tho COM
mittee heartily commended the patriotic
sentiment and spirit of devotion elo-
quently expressed IN the address. While it
regretted certain complications (alluding
to the race question in Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi), the committee was unable to see
how the commander-in-chief, having re-
gard for the honor of the G. A. r.. could
have taken other action. and his heroic meas-
ures were approved. The committee also
approved the recommendation that recep-
tacie bs provided in the Grant tomb of New
York for roster of G. A. r. Delegate Miner,
of Kansas, from the committee ON teaching
patriotism in the public schools reported a
recommendation, which was adopted, that
the communicative chief issue circular
requesting the teachers of all schools to set
asf4S one day each year for inculuating
| lessons of patriotism. The committee on
Grant memorial reported that 90 ntraot
has been made for a marble statue of Gen.
Iron To ho Tod sv& Wncn
cost of $4,000.
Then came tho election of officers, Col.
Lincoln of the department of the Potomac,
made brief speech recognizing the senti-
ment in favor of Weissert. and withdraw
ing his name. GEN. Weissert was then for
Hurst, of Ohio. Before the roll call had
proceeded far, Hurst's name was with
drawn and Weissert elected by acclamation.
The election of senior vice commander
started factional fight in the department.
of the Potomac and after warm controv-
Il. H. Warteld. of San Francisco, thus break
ing down the precedent by which
that Office is given to the depart
ment entertaining the national snoamp-
ment. For junior vice commander,
Peter 3. Ayars. of Wilmington. DEL. Com
were placed in nomination, Ayars being Sc
lected. For surgeon general, w. @. Weyl,
of Danbury. Conn.,, and w. H. johnson, of
Minden, Neb.. were the candidates. and
Weyl was elected. D. Il. Lowell. of Kan
sas, was selected chaplain in chief. and the
encampment then took a recess.
AT the afternoon session. by permission
Of the encampment. Comrade Woods. first
adjutant general of Illinois. made state
ment giving the history Of the order of that
state. The committee appointed to have
charge of the erection of national M smorial
hall at Decatur. Ill.,. reported that the re-
ceipts to-day amounted to $4,SS2. Com
rade Cramer. of Maryland. in behalf of the
members of the organizations, presented to
OK Commander AlRer an immense silver
cup very handsomely engraved.
Among matters favorably reported by
the committee on resolutions and adopted
were: Asking congress to pass q law giving
the same right of precedence in appoint
ment TO oil honorably discharged soldiers
as now given by law to soldiers discharged
for disabilities; commending the order of
Commander-in-Chis Palmer forbidding
any GA. II. post to march under confed-
crate flag; declaring it inexpsdient for tine
national encampment to express opinion on
the subject of opening the Worlds fair on
Sunday; advising the council of admins
tration to call the next sncampment not
later than the first week in September 1893;
asking congress 10 provide for the erection
Of monument 10 tho private soldiers of
the army.
After the installation Of the new officers
and the adoption of the usual resolution Of
thanks, the new chief as.
sumsd the gSvel and declared the twenty
sixth annual encampmsnt adjourned sine
die.
General Weissert has decided to name L. |
ID. Gray, of Milwaukee. for adjutsnt gen
eral of staff.
Jason Brown. son of John Brown. has
made application for admission TO post in
Ohio. Any number Of reunions were held
at different times during the day. The
boys who rode with Sheridan and in Gus
ter's cavalry corps had u largo meeting and
adopted \ resolution looking toward the
erection in this city Of monument COM
memorativs of the deeds Of the cavalry.
Tho association of Minute mon Of '61 |
perfected an organization to-day. sleoting |
Col. Henry Walker. of Boston, president. |
National meetings will be held at the same |
time as the national sncampment of the q. |
A. Il. The Union Veterans' union decided |
to hold the next annual eneampment at
Boston. The committee appointed to CON :
slider the question of establishing q school |
for the children of vetersns reported in
favor of tho establishment of Ia techuologi- |
cal school and the appointment Of coal-
Mittee to select = tract OF not less than |
l 900 aores Of land containing GOAL and tim
bsr and adapted to agriculture and grazing,
on which the proposed school shall be
located. ID was decided that
past commanders DO entitled TO
seat. but no vote i'll the national conven.
tion. thie differing from the "housS OF |