Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-08-29
GENERAL BLACK IS
ELECTED COMMANDER
Illinois Man Selected by the
San Francisco Encamp-
ment.
MEET AT BOSTON IN 1904
A Proposition to Admit Sons OF Vet
Grams Into tho Army Posts Wa
Strongly Supported, but FL
nally Defeated.

San Francisco, Aug. 22.-The Grand
Army Of the Republic Thursday select
ed Boston as the place in which the en-
campment of 1904 will be held, and
elected the following officers:
Commander-in-Chi III - General John
c. Black of Illinois.
Senior Vice COMMUNICATIONS G.
Mason Keene of California.
Junior Vice Commander-Colonel
Harry Kessler of Montana.
Surgeon-in-Chief-Ge A. Harmon or
Ohio.
Chaplain-in-C hief-Winfield Scott Of
Arizona.
The only contest of officers was over
chaplain, for which two ballots were
taken. On the first ballot Bross of Ne
braska received 2SS votes; Scott Of Ari-
IONA, 316, and Bradford Of Washing
ton, 1862. Bradford withdrew and Scott
was elected On h econ ballot.
Will Meet Next at Boston.
Boston and Denver were the only
places named for the next place OF
meeting. Before the ballot had pro-
ceeded far 1t became apparent that
Denver had no chance and 1t was with
drawn. Boston was selected by ac-
clamation.
The remaining officers will be cho-
| sen lOIIlOTTOW, dlSO the COlIlllllllCC oi
resolutions, and 1t Is expected that
the encampment win be adjourned at
moor
During the afternoon a reception un
der the auspices of the press commit
tee was held at Mark Hopkins Insti-
tute Of Art. In the evening there was
a reunion and dog watch by the naval
reserves, which during the day had
paid a visit to the Mare Island navy
| yard.
The commander in chief was re-
ceived by the Ladies OF the Grand
Army in Union square hall and the
Women's Relief corps, department OF
Massachusetts, had a reunion In
Golden Gate hall. All of the social
functions were well attended.
The first report of the afternoon was
that of the flag committee. 1t recon-
mended the passage of bills through
congress and the different states toi
the purpose of fostering public senti-
ment i'm favor Of honoring the national
flag. The report of the committee was
adopted.
Comrade Kimball, of the city OF
Washington, presented a report on the
subject of claims of veterans for pref.
erence in public service. and a resolu'
ton was adopted asking the presiden'
to issue an executive order granting
this preference to veterans and for the
making of an order by giving prefer
ence to veterans on the labor roll OF TIT
executive departments.
Report Prosperous Condition.
Comrade Smedburg, of California
presented a report OF the standing
committee of the memorial universit.
at Mason City, Ia, instituted by thu
Sons of Veterans. The institution, h
said, is in u fiourishing condition, own
ing property valued at several hundred
thousand dollars and having three t
four hundred pupils in attendance.
General John G. Black, of Illinois
was nominated by Past Department
Commander Lawler, OF Illinois, for tn,
Office of commander In chief. The nom
nation was seconded by Minton, o
Kentucky, and Torrance, Of Minnesota
Under suspension OF the rules Genera
Black was elected by reclamation. IL
addressed the encampment saying:
l shall do in all ways whatever l cal
as your representative to advance tn
cause of comrade and country. l know
how weak any man Is in the presenc
OF the majesty of the American people
but when ] speak OF your voices l be
lieve that all the people will hear AM
will accord that which you request.
Folio wing the selection Of the cit.
of Boston as the place for holding tn
next encampment, General Miles wa
called to the stand and spoke brief.
to the veterans.
A proposition to admit Sons of Vet
Grams into the Grand Army posts wa
strongly supported. but after an eX
tended debate was defeated by a SINAI
majority.
The encampment adopted a resolu
ton requesting congress to pass a biI
pensioning all veterans who haY
reached the age Of 62 years.