The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-09
Regulars Beaten in the
G. A. R. Convention.
THE INDEPENDENTS WON.
0utgr0wth Of the Opposition Started
in Br0ckton.
ANNUAL DINNER AND CAMP FIRE

Boston, Feb. 9.-The Massachusetts,
department. G.. A. r., began it's 32nd an
nual encampment in fremont Temple
Tuesday. and the first session resulted
In the anticipated contest between the
life members of the body and the cleo
tive delegates. The former sit in the
convention by virtue of having been de-
partment commanders. Collectively
they have been termed "the house OF
lords" in the contention OF the depart
ment commander with former Fletcher
Webster post Of Brockton The test
OF strength came upon the choice OF
officers. and the regular ticket for the
principal officers was defeated by close
vote. and William III. Bartlett OF Wor-
cester. who was nominated by those OPP
posed to the sitting in the encampment
OF ex-department commanders, was
elected department commander by ma
jorty Of 26 votes over John l.. Gilman OF
this city.
The victory OF the 'antis" is considered
by many as the elimination OF the agi-
tation which Fletcher Webster post be-
gan two years ago. At that time the
Brockton post made a formal protest
against the law permitting ex-depart-
ment commanders TO take part in the
proceedings of the national encamp-
ment, and this struggle was carried on
so vigorously that at length the charter
OF the post was revoked. During the
time. however, the Brockton post re-
ceived considerable encouragement from
other posts. and Tuesdays proceedings
show the support that contention has
received.
tt has been the custom each year for
the senior vice department commander
To be elected commander and for the
junior vice to be advanced TO senior
vice, SO that the real contest at each
encampment was over the election of a
new junior vice commander. For once
the old order OF things was set aside
and two complete tickets were placed
in the field. The regular ticket was
headed by the senior vice commander.
Mr.. Gilman; the junior vice, Peter Il.
Smith. being nominated for the senior
vice, and Silas A. Barton for Junior
vice. Opposed TO this ticket was the
one advanced by those who were against
the old order, and the ticket was made
up as follows: Department COM
mander William II. Bartlett, post 10;
senior vice commander, Joseph l.. Bart
lett, post i62: junior vice commander.
George M. Fiske, post 1G2. Consider
able electloneering was done Monday
night by both factions. but Tuesday
morning the regulars appeared confident
OF success.
The usual reports were read and an
order was adopted providing that all
resolutions should be referred TO a
special committee without debate. This
consumed all the morning and greater
part OF the afternoon session, so that
IL was not until after 3 o'clock that the
nominating speeches were made. COM
rade Paige of Chelsea placed the name
OF Senior Vice Commander Gilman be-
fore the encampment, while Comrado
Scaver OF Boston nominated William H..
Bartlett OF Worcester. The remainder
of the ticket was then placed before the
convention by leaders of both factions.
The baloting was as follows: Bartlett
323 Gilman, 297.
The result was great surprise 10 the
regulars. and for time they could not
realize that the old order OF things had
received so severe a setback The en-
campment at once proceeded to ballot
for senior vice commander, with the
following result: Bartlett. 262 Smith.
2G1.
Before the encampment could ballot
for junior vice commander word was