Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-14
LOUISVILLE CHOSEN. Illinois Champion, by a Bare
 Majority, Elected THE GoMMANDER-IN CHIEF Of the Grand Army of the Re- public-The Race a Most <
 Exciting One.
THE COMMANDER IN- CHIEF

PIrTsBURG. Pa., Sept. 13. .-Breaking all previous records, in beginning and ending it's business within two days, the twenty eighth national encampment of the Grand Army Of the Republic adjourned sine die tonight. year from next Monday the boys in blue, crossing Mason and Dixon line for the first time in the history of the order, will fraternize with their opponents of the '60's, and thus make visible demon stration of the oft-repeated assertion that there is no longer a north or a south, but one country free and undivided. And if but a tithe of tine pledges and promises made by the visiting Kentuckians are re- deemed, the enoampment of 1895 will never be forgotten either by the union or the confederate veterans that are fortunate enough to be among the participants.
 After one of the most heated contests in the history of the order Col. G. 8. Law Ter of Rockford, Ill. was elected commander in chief of the Grand Army oi the Repub- lie, defeating his only opponent, Col. Ivan N. Walker, of Indianapolis, Ind, by the narrow majority Of eleven in total vote of 649. Considerable excitement attended the balloting, the two candidates frequently running neck and neck, while. twice the Indiana man was in the lead. His friends had figured out that he had won by six majority until the result of the ballot was declared, and then the boys from Illinois in the theater, as we'll as In the lobby and out on the sidewalk, went fairly wild with enthusiasm.
 Law ler's election marks the downfall of the Pennsylvania and eastern element that has teen long powerful in the high coun- cils and control of the order, and will lead to the appointment of a new quartermoster- general to suc- ceed Gen. Louis B. Wagner of Chicago. Lawler was offered the support of the p. IuaF io al ufl ion m ion hat the appointive officers were given to the east, but he declined to enter into any bar gain, and so the eastern strength YVES thrown to Walker. The western and southern delegates. however, voted solidly for Lawler. He was nearly forty votes ahead when the calling of the roll of dele gates was concluded, buttwenty- nine votes from the officers and council Of administra- tion went to his opponent, and the Rock ford veteran was literally pulled through by the skin of his teeth.
 The other officers elected by the encamp- ment were: Senior vice commander, Maj. A. P. Burchfield of Pittsburg; Junior vice. commander, Charles H. Shue of New Orleans; surgeon general, 0. w. Weeks of Marion, O.; chaplain in- chief, Rev. T. H {. Hagerty oI St. Louis; represe tative to council of administration, Charles w. Ger wig. sasvefssst
 The southern members of the council elected are: Virginia and North Carolina, August Hagen; Tennessee, Ii. w. Neasey; {; Arkansas, A. D. Thomas; Georgia, Joseph H. Thibadeau; Alabama, c. H. Patrick.
 Hearty applause greeted the resolution directing the incoming commanders -in- chief to endeavor to secure the reinstate- ment of such comrades as may have been uDjustly discharged from governmental service, and also to protect such veterans as yet remain in office.
 As rider of this resolution the follow ing was also carried amid vocferous shouts:
 "That the Grand Army of the Republic, in twenty eig hth national encampmet as- sembled, respectfully request the president of the United States to issue an executive order to the heads of the several depart- ments of the government, and through them to it's subordinates having the power of appointment, employment and reten- tion of persons in the public service, that due consideration be gwen to the claims 0 the veterans in war, and that in letter and spirit any laws in reference thereto which give them preference be faithfully carried jj