The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-09-14
GRAND ARMY oFF1oEas.
The Pittsburg Enoampment Elects
New Commanders.

Pittsburg, Pa. Sept 13.-After one Of
the most heated contests in the history of
the order, Col. Thomas G. Lawler of
Rockford, H., was this afternoon elected
commander in-chief Of the Grand Army
of the Republic, defeating his only op-
ponent, Col. Ivan ~ Walker Of Indian
apolls, by the narrow majority of IL in a
total vote of $40.
Great excitement attended the ballot
ing, the two candidates frequently run
ming neck and neck, while twice the In
diana man was in the lead. His friends
had it figured out that he had won by a
small majority till the result was de-
clared, and then the boys from Illinois in
the theater, as well as In the lobby and
out on the sidewalk, fairly went wild with
enthusiasm.
LAWYERS election marks the downfall
, of the Pennsylvania and eastern element
that has long been all-powerful in the
high councils and control Of the order,
and will lead TO the appointment of new
quartermaster general to succeed Gen.
Louis Wagner, of Chicago. Lawler was
offered the support Of the Pennsylvania
delegation on condition that the appoint
i've officers were given to the east, but he
declined to enter into any bargains and SO
the eastern strength was thrown To Wal
ker. The western and southern delegates
however, voted solidly for Lawler He was
nearly forty ahead when the calling OF
the roll Of delegates was concluded, but 30
votes from the officers and council Of ad-
ministration went to his opponent, and
the Rockford veteran was literally pulled
through by the skin of his teeth
The other officers elected by the en-
campment were senior vice commander,
Mai. A. =. Burchfeld of Pittsburg; Junior
vice commander, Charles II. Shute of
New Orleans surgeon, Gen. o. w. Weeks
of Marion, o. chaplain-in-chief, Rev. 7.
H. Hagerty Of St Louis; representative
TO council OF administration, Charles w.
Gerwig.
THE NEXT ENoAMPMBNT.
Breaking all previous records. in begin
ming and ending it's business within two
days, the twenty y-eighth national encamp-
ment of the Grand Army of the Republic
adjourned sine die tonight. A year from
next Monday the boys in blue, crossing
Mason and DiXon's line for the first time
in the history Of the order, will
fraternize with their opponents Of the
sixties and thus make visible demonstra-
tion of the oft-repeated assertion that
there is no longer north or a south, but
one country, free and undivided And IL
but tithe Of the pledges and promises
made by the visiting Kentuckian are re-
deemed the encampment Of 1898 will never
be forgotten, either by the union or con
federate veterans that are fortunate
enough to be among the participants
The southern members of the council
elected are: Virginia and North Caro-
lina-August Hagen; Tennessee, II. w.
Veasy Arkansas, A. ID. Thomas; Geor-
gia, Jos. II. Thibadeau; Alabama, c. II.
Patrick
Hearty applause greeted the resolution
directing the incoming commander-in-
chief TO endeayor 10 secure the reinstate-
ment of such comrades as may have been
unjustly discharged from government SER
vice, and also TO protect such veterans as
yet remain Ia Office. AS a rider 10 this
resolution, the following was also carried
amid vociferOus shouts:
That the Grand Army OF the Republic In
twenty-eRhth nat onal encampment assem-.
bled respectfully request the President OF the
United States 10 Issue an executive order to
the heads Of the several departments Of the
government ald through them 10 subordi
mates having the power Of appointment. en-
puDlic service that due consideration be
given to the claims Of veterans OF the war,
and that In letter and m spirit any laws IN
reference thereto which give them a prefer.
ence he faithfully carried out.