The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-01-18
FLoR1DA's GRAND ARMY.
The Department of FloriGa's Annual
Encampment.


Jacksonville. Fla, Jan. 1.-THE boys
I'm blue" are coming in from all parts of
the state to the eleventh annual encamp-
ment of the department OF Florida, Grand
Army of the Republic. which begins its
regular sessions tomorrow morning, the
council of administration only meeting to-
night. Great preparations have been made
by O. NJ. Mitchell Post and Charles Ga
briel Post. to entertain the visiting com
rades in good shape and make their stay
here as pleasant as possible.
There are twenty-nine posts in the state,
some five or six of which are colored.
The strongest organizations are in this
city, Tampa, Orlando, Ocala, Eusts. San
ford, Longwood, St Augustine and Peusa-
cola. one new post George G. Meade
Post No %, has been organized this year
at San Antonio, and the adjutant gener-
ais report will show an Increase in the
membership of the department. The quar-
termaster's report will show an improved
state of finances, while the chaplain's re-
port is one of unusual interest as il indi-
Gates a more general observance of me-
mortal day by the various posts of the
state
The present officers of the department
are the following well known citizens
V. commander p. e. McMurray of Jack
sonville; J. v commander. l.. Y. Jenness
Of ST. Petersburg; medical director, DR.. II.
NJ. Bruce of Tampa; chaplain, Rev s.
Herbert Lancey Of Maitland; quarter
master general, i. A. Richards of Or
lando; judge advocate, Hugh Dunno of
Jacksonvlle; assistant adjutant general,
+. j. Blinn of Sanford inspector, Il. G.
PARCEL of Tampa; chief mastering officer.
George w. Lewton of Forest City: chief
of stan, w. II. Cook of Pomona; council
of administration, j. S. Fairhead of Jack
sonville vice chairman.
Department Commander Way is cashier
of the Sanford Loan and Trust Banking
Company but was formerly editor and
proprietor of the old Sanford Journal
Under the rotation system he will prob
ably be succeeded by Senior Vice Com
mander McMurray, late postmaster of
Jacksonville and a prominent carriage
builder and popular citizen which viii
promote Junior Vice Commander Jen-
ness of the Sanford and st. Petersburg
railway, TO be senior vice commander.
These are the only changes that can now
he predicted with any degree of conf
dence. There is no political bias in the
organization or sectarian feeling. Demo-
Gratis and Roman Catholics are elected
as readily as republicans. and Protestants,
although the latter are largely in the ma
jOrity in the membership.
A new and important movement will be
discussed in the enCampment tomorrow,
that of military instruction in the public
schools of the larger cities. Gen. George
w. WIngate, a wen known military man
and lawyer of New York, is at the head
of the movement, under direc-
ton of the National Encampment,
Grand Army of the Republic. A bill pre-
pared by him is now before congress to
detail army officers. somewhat on the
present plan of detail TO state colleges. to
instruct public school pupils in military
tactics. the details to be made from army
headquarters or garrisons nearest the
schools served. Gen. Wingate has APP
pointed Col 5. Herbert Lancey Sidney
HERBERT of Maitland. TO have charge of
the movement in Florida and he will Of
ficially present the subject to the encamp-
ment for its endorsement.