The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-16
THE G. A. R. ENCAMPMENT
STATEMENTS GATHERED FROM RE-
TURNING DELEGATES.
Rout of the Radical Element Com
pIete-The Organization i'm Con-
servative Hands.

The terrible tragedy at Bunalo uetraCteu
attention from all other matters of public
interest, including the meeting of the Ma
tional Encampment of the Grand Army IL
Cleveland. Members of the encampment
who have returned, however, give such ac-
counts of it that it is very evident that it
was one of the most important sessions of
the national body that was ever held.
Interviews with several delegates who
have returned and who spoke freely make
it very clear that Commander-in-chiefsR as-
sieur was so fully in sympathy with the
Corporal Tanner element that he practical
~ gave its members the full right of way
and would scarcely recognize any other
comrade General Sickles, who in inter-
views and letters raised a question of
veracity between himself and the dead
President was given the opportunity to
read a long paper assailing the Pension
Bureau which was practically attack
upon the appointing power. though he was
careful to declare that the late President
was in no way responsible, a statement
which conflicts with his letters and inter
views two months ago. General Hawley
had the opportunity as the eldest officer OF
the National Encampment to respond TO
General Sickles While criticising to some
extent the COIuuCl VI 1OHlIhSSiOHci
he declared that the Grand Army could not
afford as a patriotic organization to take
the advice of the commander-in-chief and
the minority of the pension committee TO
carry the matter to the President.
Toward the close of the session General
Wagner attempted to obtain recognition
to ask that the committee on resolutions
selected by the several delegations be an
hot TIC
work, but it was apparent that Mr. Ras-
sieur and the minority in favor of his ex-
IRENE policy did not wish that committee
OF one from each State selected by state
delegations should present resolutions ex-
pressing the sentiment of the encampment,
so he adjourned the meeting at O'Clock
without committee on resolutions, act
without precedent. As General Sickles was
yet reading his long statement in support
of the minority report of the pension com
mittee when the commander-in-chief adj
journed the session he would have had the
floor in the morning.
PREPARED FOR STRUGGLE.
The prominent members Of the conserva-
tive element had prepared for a struggle
over the report of the committee on PEN
sions Friday morning but Friday morning
brought the shocking news of the condi-
ton of the President, whereupon the past
commander-in-chief and a few others who
have saved the organization by conserva-
tive action held hasty conference and
agreed to support a resolution to the effect
that the encampment elect officers and
refer all other matters to the commander
in-chief-elect and the new council of adj
mIn1stration. General Wagner. of Pennsyl-
vania, was recognized and he presented
the resolution. Past Department Com
mander James T.. Dodge. OF Indiana had
been selected to second the resolution,
and with voice which flied the hall The
resolution was adopted by an overwhelming
vote.
When it came to the election of COM
mander-in chief the ultra element had
lost courage and the name OF Gen Sicklas
was withdrawn-a confession of the Tan
which was begun with so much noise out
side and with such vigor in the first ses-
sions of the encampment. Indeed the fact
that the New York delegation refused to
sustain the candidacy of General Sickles
the night before by a vote of q to Is must
have made 1T clear that he would be de-
remained. Stuart of Pennsylvania and
Terrence, dark horse of Minnesota. While
General Stewart had strong support be-
cause OF his popularity as adjutant gen
eral, he was confronted with the fact OF n
very brief term of service Ii was not his
fault As boy he had run away twice TO
enlist and was taken home by his father
On the other hand, Comrade Terrence has
record in a Pennsylvania regiment of
four years as an enlisted man and officer.
The Indiana delegation went to Cleve-
land decidedly in favor of Stewart
but when the ballot was taken II stood IA
for Terrence and il for Stewart The total
vote was light because the alarming news
from Buffalo was so distracting that many
delegates were not present when the ballot
was taken. Four prominent members of The
Indiana delegation gave il separately as
their opinion that if General Sickles had
stayed In for a ballot that he would not
have received 200 votes-one member mn
ting the number at 100
COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION.
The new council of administration to
which all the affairs of the encampuent
were referred. went into session Friday aft
ernoon, Captain William H. Armstrong he
ing reelected for Indiana. All of the bust
ness was disposed of. The pension matter
was referred TO Commander-in-chief Tor
renee and the pension committee which he
will appoint. 1t is believed by those who
talked with him that he may see the Presi-
dent about the matter The delegates seen
all say that the real opposition to the COM
missioner OF pensions is much stronger
thar represented by the Tanner element
but the conservative element would not an
prove the policy pursued by Gen. Sickles
All the returning members of the encamp-
ment, several of whom have known Com
mander-in-chlef Terrence for years speak
in the highest terms of him and predict a
conservative and dignified administration
of the affairs Of the organization.
Indianapolis Grand Army men who al
tended the encampment express themselves
l taN 1. e