Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-14
COL. T. G. lAWLER
Elected Commander r-in-Chief
of the G. A. R.
A Redhot Fight Between Delegates
from the East and West.
Successful Candidate Mad Narrow Plurality
Of Eleven in vole Of 649.

PiTTspuRG, Sept. I3.-After one of the
most heated contests in the history of the
order, Col. Thomas q. Lawler of Rockford,
H., this afternoon, was elected commander
in-chief of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, defeating his only opponent Col. Ivan
N. Walker, indianapolis, by the narrow
plurality of | in total voc of G49. Con-
siderable excitement attended the balloting,
the two candidates running neck and neck
Twice the Indianapolis man was in the lead.
Lawlers election marks the downfall of the
Pennsyl lvania and Eastern element long all
powerful in the high councils and control
of the order, and will lead to the appoint
ment of new quartermaster general to
succeed Gen. LOUIS Wagner of Philadel-
phia.
Lawler was offered the support of the
Pennsylvania delegates on the condition
that the appointive offices were given to the
East. He declined to enter into any bar
gains, and the Eastern strength was thrown
to Walker. The Western and Southern del
egates voted solidly for Lawler. He was
nearly 40 ahead when the calling of the
roll of the department delegates was con-
cluded, but the 80 votes from the officers
and council of administration went to his
opponent.
The other officers elected are Senior
vice-commander, Major A. Z. Burchfeld,
Pittsburg; junior vice-commander, Chas.
N. Shute, New Orleans; surgeon-general,
o. w. Weeks. Marion. Ohio; chaplain-in-
chief, Rev. +. II. iIagerty, st. Louis;
representative to the council of admnistra-
ton, Chss. w. Gerwig.
The new chaplsin- -in-chief is a memb or
Of the famous Ransom Post of st. Louis.
When the post was organized by General
Sherman he personally urged the divine to
act as its chaplain and he has been the
spiritual adviser of the post ever since.
The election of officers occupied the entire
morning session, except 10 minutes given
to the delegation from the Women's Relief
Corps and ladies of the G. A. r., who
brought fraternal greetings.
Con mander-in- Chief Lawler issued the
following general order No. /, tonight:
"Having been elected and installed
commander in. chief OF the Grand
Army of the Republic for the ensuing
year, l hereby assume command,
with profound appreciation of the RESPONSE
biities of the office. Comrade c. c. Jones,
Rockford, Ill, is hereby appointed adjutant
general, and Comrsde j. W. Burst, Syca-
more, Ill, quartermaster general, and
headquarters are hereby established at
Rockford, H."
Thomas G. Lawler was born in Liver
pool, England, in 1874, and came to Illinois
when a child. He received his education
in the public schools at Rockford, Ill. At
the age of II he enlisted as a private in
Company b, 18th Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, in June, 1861, serving three
years and three months. He was with his
company and regiment in every battle in
which they were engaged, and with the
colors of his regiment was the first man of
his command over the Confederate works
at the battle of Missionary Ridge, Nov. 10,
1868.
He served as private, sergeant and was
elected fret lieutenant, but not mustered.
He commanded his company for two months
curing the Atlanta campaign, was elected
by the vote of his company and placed upon
the roll of honor by Gen. RosecraDs, COM
manding the army of the Cumberland. lie
organized the Rockford Rifles in 1876 and
made it the most efficient and best known
military organizations in the West. He
vas elected colonel and commander of the
81 Regiment, Illinois National Guard for
several years, when he resigned to give
younger officers a chance for promotion.
He was postmaster at Rockford under
the Hayes, Garfield and Harrison admins
trations. and is now engaged in the lumber
and coal business. Col. Lawler was one of
the first members of G. L. Nevins Post,
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