The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-18
Captain David r. BEEN, of Spencer,
Elected Commander of the
Department.
THE AUXILIARY SOCIETIES
ALSO ELECT THEIR OFFICERS AND
FINISH THEIR WORK.
The Encampment Pronounced on All
Sides the Greatest Ever Held
in the state.

Yesterday the delegates to the G. A. r.
encampment were on hand at o'clock to
make up for the time lost Wednesday in
the parade and in speech making. The
first hour was devoted to the selection OF
district representatives and alternates to
the National Encampment. Subsequently
these were reported to the encampment.
The Seventh district unanimously voted
to present the name of Admiral Brown
for delegate at large. His name was pre-
scented by w. A. Ketcham and promptly
seconded all over the hall The rules were
suspended and Admiral Brown was elected
by reclamation. There is no politics in the
Grand Army, but the comrade who pre-
sented the name of Governor Mount for
alternate representative at large was a
Democrat. The Governors name was
greeted by hearty applause and he was
elected by reclamation.
After some routine business the encamp-
ment proceeded to the election of officers.
That the large delegation might be kept
until the business was over the election
began by balloting for the lower officers,
namely, the council of administration of
five members. Several names were put in
nomination, but there was one printed bal
lot. The ballot resulted in the selection OF
five comrades, two or three of whom have
been referred to by anonymous correspond
ents as the combine" The result of this
ballot gave the friends of Comrade BEEN
confidence. Little interest was taken in
the election of the other officers, so alb
sorbed was the encampment in the cleo
ton of department commander. Personal
preferences and locality have usually fur
nished the interest in the election of COM
mander, but this time opposition to certain
men who are prominent and to the pres
ent incumbent of the Office of assistant
adjutant general. not because Mr.. Smock
is not q most efficient and courteous off,
cial, but because other aspirants desired
to have an office requiring experience
passed around. Locality cut some figure
The Fourth district was almost solid for
Comrade Hutchins, local pride having more
to do to make solid delegation than oppo-
sition to Mr.. Smock. In fact, less than a
dozen oppose him because of any fault
they have to find with him. Very natural
ly a number of Grand Army men scattered
throughout the State have had much in
fluence in the organization. 1t is well that
they have, because on several occasions
they have been a steadying ard conserva-
tive force, preventing unwise action on
pensions and other questions.
BEEN is ELECTED
Five comrades were put in nomination.
but only four of them were really candi
6ates-David e. BEEN, of Spencer: B. M.
Hutchins, of Columbus; Milton Garrigus,
of Kokomo. and DR.. A r. Tucker, of No
blesville. Captain BEEN was assailed as
the candidate of the alleged combine of
influence and prominence. Mr.. Hutchins
was pledged to displace Smock. while
others were more or less personal candi-
dates. The applause which greeted the
naming of Mr.. BEEN indicated that he had
the most general support. The first ballot
resulted as follows: