The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-10
POLITICS IN THE ORDERS.
Contest for Commander-in-Ch ief-Se-
lection of Next Meeting Place.

lection of Next Meeting Place.
Senator John NJ. Thurston, of Nebraska,
delegate at large to the encampment came
here yesterday afternoon and at once en-
tered the contest for the honor of the next
encampment on behalf of Omaha. After
the reception at the Governors official par
lors last night the Nebraska politician was
entertained at the Columbia Club, which
kept open house for the entertainment of
the commandery-in and distinguished
guests.
There is always more or less politics in
encampments of the Sons of Veterans when
it comes to the election of COMMANDMENTS
chief and the selection of the place for hold
ing the succeeding encampment. While
Massachusetts, is anxious for the next con-
vention, the delegates from that State will
probably follow the usual custom and enter
into combinations that will bring about the
election of their candidate for commander,
Charles K. Darling. With pledges for sup
port on this line Massachusetts and other
New England States would throw their
strength to some Western city. Ohio dele
gates anxious to have the next encamp-
ment held at Cincinnati Kentucky with a
strong delegation in the encamAnent, Will
doubtless prove strong factor IN the
double contest and will likely support ONO
claims for the encampment in return Tor
pledges for kentuckyS candidate Tor com
mander-in-chief, r. M. Buckley Last night
there was such an element of uncertainty
that it was hard to come to any conclusion
as to what the ultimate outcome would be-
A prominent delegate expressed the opinion
that Darling would be chosen commander
in-chief and that Cincinnati would get the
next encampment. This, he said, was the
logical solution of the difficulty He argued
that the Western States would prefer Gin
cinnat it is more easily reached, ana
that as a result of combinations to secure
the selection of that city the commander
in-phiQf would from the East. Darling
is the most prominently mentioned candi-
date from that section. The hght IN FAVOR
of Detroit had not apparently made much
Roadway. After the convention gets down
to business in earnest to-day and the wire
pullers" from the different States get their
heads together it will be easier to determine
what the outcome will be.
Senator Thurston is prepared to show that
no city in the country would entertain the
encampment in better style than Omaha,
and will have some forcible reasons to ad-
vance in favor of the selection of that city.
The election of commandments and Sc
lection of the next encampment city Will oc-
cur tomorrow.
Considerable thought is being given to
Commander-in-chiefR ake's recommends
lions with regard to the abolition of the
military and uniform features of the order,
and. while there is some sentiment against
it, some of the more thoughtful men of the
order feel that there is much force in what
he says 1t was conceded last night that
this subject should be settled once for all.
There has been too much change in the
past. Some years ago there was change
made by which those anxious for the mill
tary features might become identified with
an organization known as the Sons of Vet
erans' Guard. For some reason it did not
prosper. Men who favor the abolition of
the military features and advocate making
the order a civic body urge this fact, saying
that the men of military inclinations failed
to take advantage of the opportunity and
should not now oppose a movement that
has for it's purpose the strengthening and
perpetuation of the order. In most of the
States men who desire to participate in mill
tarV affairs NAV become identified with
branches of the national guard. 1t is said
that many young men who are eligible re-
main out of the Sons of Veterans because
they have not the time to devote to drills
and guard duty. If such features were not
incumbent upon them they would go into
civic and social character. This is one of
the subjects that will come up for discus
sion, and it is likely to be pretty thoroughly