Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-05-24

Today the veterans of the department Of
Nebraska with their aides Of the Women's
Relief corps and Ladies Of the Grand Army
of the Republic, leave Omaha, after an en-
csmpment that they pronounce the greatest
and most successful since the one in Omaha
ten years ago, before death had dectmated
the ranks so seriously. Joint installation
at Washington Hall last evening ended the
program, the last day having been devoted
to the election and appointment of those
officers whose names appear above, and TO
the adoption of resolutions.
At noon the encampment delegates had
elected the most important Of their execu-
tives and chosen Fremont as the place for
the twenty-seventh annual encampment OF
the Grand Army Of the Republic, the twen-
tieth session Of the Woman's Relief corps
and the twelfth session of the Ladies OF
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Comrades Work HarmOniOusIy.
At Washington hall the comrades worked
with energy and with decided differences
OF opinion, but without the slightest rup-
ture Of good feeling. The election of off,
GERS was one Of the most important ever
held. as by It there was broken the old
rule Of rotation in ofice-a rule that is
said to have been observed ever since the
first election by the Nebraska department.
When the session was called to order
by Commander Wilcox there were 4O7 voting
delegates on the floor and many veterans
in the gallery. The first business was the
legalizing Of the postponed date Of the
present encampment, such postponement
having been taken from May IA, that Ma
tional Commander Torrance might be pres
ent.
he 5az han aHxrad fha ffr1nT
of the Woman's Relief Corps, presented by
a visiting committee composed OF Mrs.
Wainwright OF Blair, Mrs. Sweet Of Creigh-
ton. Mrs. Cleaver of Neigh. Mrs. Rapp OF
Omaha and Mrs. Josie Bennett. Judge
Fawcett responded. To convey a similar
compliment to the woman's Relief Corps
Commander Wilcox dispatched a committee
composed Of S. D. Davis, John Reese, Dr..
Stone and DR.. Brothers, who took with
them a check for the $500 given the corps
by vote Thursday.
Election of Commander.
When the election OF department COM
mander was taken up only two names were
proposed, that of Lieutenant Governor
Steele, submitted by Hon. J. B. Strobe OF
Lincoln, and that OF Judge Lee S. Estelle
of Omaha. proposed by John Lett Of York,
post 80.
OF the S65 votes cast Steele received 20s
and Estelle 156. The Judge was on his
feet instantly and with the most cordial
of smiles shouted that he wanted the vote
made unanimous and that the new COM
mander could have no more ardent or faith
| full supporter than he. The assembly
| cheered both the victor and the vanquished
| and stood to make the vote unanimous.
Mr. Steele, in accepting the honor, said
| it pleased him more than would an election
to the once Of governor Of the state.
Past Department Commander Joe Teeters
| OF Lincoln then moved the abandonment
/ OF that system Of rotation in once by
which the subordinate commanders have
] been ascending TO the superior once. Il
received seconds from half dozen parts
| OF the house instantly. Judge Fawcett
/ offered an amendment that would make II
not impossible for such ascendancy to occur
but the whole matter was tabled on motion
| Of Harmon Bross.
Sentiment Against Rotation.
The sentiment was apparently against
| further rotation, however, for the senior
vice elected was not former Junior Vice
| Maxim but S. S. Peters Of Beatrice, elected
by Rcclamation. In nominating him DR..
Brothers stated that Peters enlisted in the
Second Ohio cavalry when IA years old and
later enlisted with the regulars. serving
! fourteen years in all.
| II was also an election by acclamRtion
| that made F. W. Ksnney Of Blair junior
vice, after being nominated by Judge Faw-
eett He was 8 sailor and it was his wife
who was elected president Of the WeDsH's
Relief corps Thursday.
For medical director the nominees were
DR.. +. o. Burdick OF Omaha, who received
| l3s votes. and DR.. W. H. Banwen Of
Orleans. who received 10s
For chaplain the nominees were Rev
Harmon Bross Of Lincoln. who has beer
| chaplain; Rev. PressOn Of Milford and Rev
| IL. - NM Grrirln. Tha Araf Iva A.