Evening journal., 1897-08-28
ENCAMPMENT OVER.
End Of the Veterans Meeting at
Buffalo.
MEMBERS LEAVING FOR THEIR HOMES
The BallotIng For Onicers For the En-
suing Year Was Quite Spirited.
Full List of the Successful
Candidates.

The encampment of 1897 is over and its
comrades are leaving town as fast as
the cars can carry them. Band after
band, followed by weary men trudging
10 the railroad stations passed down
the streets at intervals during the even
ing. Home. Sweet Home" was the
usual selection, and the crowds which
still Ill the streets shouted goodby
after the departing comrades.
The last function on the long pro-
gramme of events was a reception Of
officers and chairmen of the womens
citizens committee at womens head
quarters at o'clock. The commander
in chiefs. headquarters were closed at
o'clock. and by $3.50 the adjutant gen.
erals office was dark. The bugler of the
encampment might we'll have sounded
lights out"
Yesterdays session lasted from 9:15
o'clock in the morning until 3:45 o'clock
IN the afternoon without intermission.
Opening under the order Of business,
the encampment took up the election of
senior vice commander in chief. Com
rade Alfred Lyth Of Bidwell Wilkeson
post Of this city was placed in nomi-
nation by Major A. X. Smith. the COM
mander of his post and was elected
unanimously. there being no other nom
nation
The election Of a junior vice COM
mander in chief was not accomplished
until after noon, there being four candi-
dates and several Interruptions to the
proceedings of the encampment by
speeches and the admission of a COM
mittee from the Woman's Relief corps.
Voting For Officers.
On the first ballot F. B. Allen of Con-
necticut, the candidate Of the naval
veterans led, with G. w. Carpenter of
South Dakota. second; c. L. Knapp Of
Kansas. third; d. e. Ross Of Delaware,
fourth, and ]. B. Cummings of Okla
homa, fifth.
There was evidently no desire to con-
test the election beyond the first ballot.
as on the second the delegates began
going over to Mr.. Allen rapidly. and be-
fore the roll call had been completed
the adjutant general was instructed to
cast the vote of the encampment for
him.
DR.. David Maclxay of Dallas was elect
ed surgeon general unanimously, and
Rev Frank c. Bruner of the First Meth
odist church of Chicago was in like
manner elected chaplain in chief.
Post Commander in Chief Walker Of
Illinois was presented with a silver serv-
ice by the encampment, the address be-
ing made by William NJ. Olin of Boston.
A committee of women from the Wom-
ans Relief corps was admitted TO the
hall and presented the convention with
several beautiful floral emblems and
made brief report of the work Of the
WOman's Relief corps for the past year
Mrs. Woodley, national president OF
the army nurses, was also admitted to
the convention, likewise Mother Ran
some OF California 50 years old, the old
est army nurse living, and Mrs. william
Seatt, who spoke for the colored vet
Grams who were unable to attend the en-
campment.
Reports FavOrably Considered.
Among the reports receiving favor
able consideration in the executive ses-
sion OF the encampment was that Of the
pension committee. It recommended
a readjustment OF widows pensions and
presented a form Of proof and applioa-
ton in pension claims substantially the
same as that embodied in the Pickler
bill, which has passed the national
house Of representatives, but has not
passed the senate.
The report stated that the present
commissioner of pensions had consented
20 adopt new rules substantially the
same as those in force during the Har-
rison administration. The report also
recommended that congress pass a
service pension law to apply 10 all vet
Grams who have reached the age of 60
years.
The report of the committee having in
charge the memorialiZing of congress
to purchase several of the most inn
portant battlehelds about Fredericks-
4T.
ment roads was adopted.
The invitation of the Young Mems
Business association of Richmond to
hold the encampment of 1899 in that city
was received and thanks extended and
the association informed that the ques-
ton could only be considered by the en-
campment of 1898. Another committee
reported favorably the proposition tC
establish national parks at the battle
fields of Vicksburg Stony river and Ap.
pomattox.
The report of the committee on tex
books used in the public schools wa:
adopted. The report deals severely with
some of the histories used in the south
charging that they misstate the fact!
as to the cause of the rebellion ant
present them from a southern view
point.
regret Is expressed lNdlf dlleI an eN
animation of all the histories used in TIT
states that were loyal to the govern
ment in the opinion of the commit
tee none merits the unqualified in
dorsement Of the organization. The re
port closes with the following recon-
mendations:
First.-That this encampment urge tn
continued agitation of the question o
improved text books in our schools tha
relate to the history of the Unite,
States, especially as to the events of tn
war of the rebellion.
Second.-That the national encamp
ment authorizes the appointment Of
permanent committee on the subject o
teaching patriotism in ourschools, whic
shall make report each year
Third.-That il be urged upon each de
partment of the G. A. r. and recon
mended to the Women's Relief corps
the Sons of Veterans and all allied or
ganizations that they give direct an
,arsfstent attention 10 the selection q