The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-02-04
COMING G. A. R. GATHERINGS
Commander Walker Talks of the Nation
al Encampment and Other Events.
NAL Protest Against the Usual Ban
quet-State Soldiers Home.

Col. /. n. Walker, commander of the In
diana Department. G. A. R.. was inter-
viewed by q Journal reporter yesterday
concerning approaching events in that
order. "Of course the National Encamp-
ment. at Washington. to be held next Sep
TENDER. is q subject of absorbing interest
with the old soldiers" remarked the Colonel.
There Will undoubtedly be a very large
attendance from Indiana. There is no lit
tie sentiment attached to the fact that the
President of the United States is from In
diana, and that will have effect in ~increas-
ing the number from this State. Every
soldier that marched In that grand review
down Pennsylvania avenue at the close of
the war will wan to be there to fall into
line on the Goth of September. 1892, and
touch elbows with the boys again in the
parade of the G.. A. r.. This time wives
and children will be there, and it will be
made a grand commences tion of one of the
most impressive spectales that ever took
place in Washington.
The national capital is full of points of
interest, and every moment OF time may be
protitably employed. Ample preparations
will be made for all corners. Indiana head
quarters lave already been secured at the
Riggs House, and in the courtroom in the
district building where Guiteau was tried.
Barracks and tents will be supplied as free
accommodate ons for all who come. The in
dications are that the railroads will give a
low rate. l do not think it will exceed S12
from this city"
cit is understood" said the reporter.
that you have entered q protest against
the customary banquet"
las commander of the Indiana Depart
ment," said the Colonel, Il lave entered o
formal protest with the chairman of the
son, against the usual banquet to delegates
and members of the National Encamp-
menr."
For what reason?"
AS q useless expenditure of money.
Heretofore it has never done the order any
good-it taxes shape as an exclusive af-
fair and we would be better off without it.
The money could be better expended in
some other way. l have also made a sug-
ReStiOn concerning the useless expenditure
of money in arches at street corners. etc. My
idea is that those moneys could be better
applied In giving. excursions to the
usriSps Dattie-heids in the vicinity
e or mSasransBiS ail Run I anS oshsT p hasa-
Some money might be used In giving an
excursion and luncheon at Mount Vernon
one day during encampment week. neg
the great hail in the penslon building for a |.
reception and luncheon for the rank and
file. The Department of indian will start
from here for Washington to arrive on
Monday morning. Sept. 10. in order to be
well-rested when the great parade comes
on. This may seem a goood while of. but
time Is marching on and 1t takes some
of us old fellows quite awhile to arrange
matters for an event OF snch Importance.
Besides this the Indiana department will
hold it's annual encampment at Fort
Wayne on the 9th and 9TH of April, the TWEEN
ty-sixth anniversary of the order and the
thirtieth anniversary of Shiloh. There will
be q large attendance, as each post will be
entitled to one delegate in the encaInpment
and posts of more than fifty members will
be entitled TO one delegate for each addi-
tional fifty and one for the last fraction of
not less than twenty-five. Besides these
posts are entitled to representation by all
past department commanders, all past post
commanders, all post commanders and in
the absence of the last named by tho senior
or junior vice-cOmmander in the order of
their rank"