The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-09
NEARING THE End.
A Most Successful G. A. r. Encamp-
ment After a Particularly
Happy Year.
Gen. Torrance Has Done Much for
the Good Of the Order-His
81 Work Is Appreciated.

Building, Wushington. ~. r
Washington, Oct. 9.-The Minnesota Wis
itors have no set plans for returning home.
After the close Of the encampment they
will scatter, some going east, some south,
some north and some to the middle west
before returning home. 1t is likely that
quite a number of them will take In some
Of the interesting side trips offered by the
railroads., and there is talk Of a party to
Gettysburg, although no plans have been
made. =. S.. .'
A good deal of talk Is being heard in
favor Of Washington as permanent en-
campment city, but this plan Is not likely
to carry, for as the years multiply the
veterans will be less and less able to
withstand the physical WEAKNESS of the
trip, so the encampments must go to them,
and to this end they must be held in the
several sections of the country from year
to year. There is talk also of having no
more grand parades, but probably no ac-
ton looking to abolishing them will be
taken this year. The veterans will march
a few years yet, but it is apparent that
the time is not far distant when the annual
encampments will be little more than the
assembling of few hundred delegates.
Notwithstanding the large crowd in the
city the encampment proper, which as
sembled to-day, consisted Of about 300
delegates. The west generally, including
Minnesota, is believed to favor General
Black for cOmmander-in- chief. A good
deal Of opposition to Senior Vice Com
mander McElroy Of this city, who aspires
to succeed General Torrance, is mani
tested, because of his radicalism. Several
Minnesota delegates openly said yesterday
that if he were elected and were then
to try to carry out the policy advocated
by him In the newspapers he would do the
Grand Army organiza ton untold damage.
In this connection it Is pleasant to look
back upon the record of Judge Torrance
who, on Friday, will vacate the position
of commander in chief. Without desir-
ing to make comparisons of an offensive
character, it is still a fact that his ad-
ministration has been one of the most
noteworthy in the history Of the order.
His official trip through the southern
states was triumphal march and both
blue and gray did him honor. In New
England he was received as no com
mander-in-c chief has been received for
| many years. His fine tact, perfect po1se,
sound discretion, and the qualities OF
heart and mind which have endcared him
| to so many people in Minnesota, have
appeared to splendid advantage during the
| past year and he has left an impression
upon the high office he fills which lis
| decidedly for the good. This has been
| one Of the few years in the history Of the
| Grand Army when there has been no frtc-
! ton, no internal dissensions and bitter
| ness His general attitude towards the
! confederate veterans and particularly his
effort to secure northern aid in the build
| ing of homes for them has done much tc
| obliterate sectional lines and the south
! to-day feels more kindly towards the
north than ever it has felt as result
His policy towards the south in an i'm
| portant sense supplemented the southern
policy of President Mckinley He Is prob
| ably the only commandments or the
Grand Army who has had In full measure
! the respect and love Of those who wore
| the gray. We in Washington are by rea-
son of location better able to see these
| things than the folks at home and it seems
| very fitting now, as Judge T6rre9fceo1i Is
about to make way for a successor. thai
| his friends and neighbors Should have just
| this brief word regarding his record fol-
the year now closing.
A Badge for Captain Collins.
| The members Of e. B. Wolcott post
| No. 1. Milwaukee, presented last evening
! to CAPTAIN John W. Collins; Of the revenue
cutter service of this city, a beautiful
badge. The presentation was made al
the headquarters Of Wolcott post, Raleigh
Hotel, the speech being made by Com
mander D. w. HOWE. It was a solid golc
badge with the seal Of Wisconsin as 8
pendant. On the back IS an appropriate
inscription. Captain Collins has been 8
member of Wolcott post since 1885
| Among those present were Past Comman'
! der-in-chief A. G. Weissert, who was
elected ten years ago when the nationa
encampment was in Washington; Pas
Commander in-chief of the Naval Veter:
ans Daniel N Kelly; Aided Camp Loui:
Sholes, and many comrades of Wolcot
post.
w w Ierrnane