The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-17
FLORIDA G. A. R,
NINETEENTH ANNUAL ENCAMP
MENT.


Elected Officers ST. Augustine
Place of Next Encampment.
Maitland, Fla, Feb. 16.-There are
so many serious errors in the published
reports of the G. A. r. encampment
at jacksonville, on Feb. u, that I de-
sire to give the many morning News
readers in Florida perfectly reliable
report of the proceedings and a roster
OF the newly elected officers, as the re-
ports already printed are very mis-
leading in many important features.
The Council of Administration met
ct G. A. R. Hall at O'Clock, the chair
man, Department Commander Lancey,
presiding. The absentees were Jenness,
Robbins, Newton, Matthews and
Hawks.
Action was taken in regard to the
election of Comrade Henry Narcotic
of St Augustine. to fill vacancy caused
by death of Comrade Dennis Eagan of
Jacksonville, and his election was
ratified.
The post at Gainesville having drop
ped the name of Lew Wallace" a Inv
ing general, which was adopted in vio-
laton of the Rules and Regulations of
the G. \. r., it is to be known here
after as Post No. 25
Comrades Kirby, Way and Narcotic.
a committee to examine the books and
accounts of the commander and as
slstant adjutant general, reported that
they found everything in proper condI-
ton.
Comrade Kirby and Comrade Ownes
were given vote of thanks for special
services rendered the commander dur
ing his severe illness.
The encampment was called to or
der in G. A. r. Hall at 10 O'Clock. by
Commander S. Herbert Lancey, and
after prayer by Chaplain s. F. Gale.
proceeded to take up routine business.
The roll call showed an unexpectedly
large attendance. while many visiting
comrades We're present.
From other states Comrade Clark
OF Palatkd, as officer of the day and
Comrade Stephens of Jacksonville, as
officer of the guard. gave prompt and
polite attention to delegates and WISH
tors.
Before proceeding to business Com
rnander Lancey called up the En-
campment and presented with due
honors the following representatives
of the national encampment: Henry
Narcotic, c. of A; Thos. ]. Owens, A.
I. G.; Jacob Gumbinger, Chief of
Aides; Edwin Kirby, Chas. F. Has
kins and D. A. Morrison, aides to the
chief
From the official reports of the de-
partment officers it was seen that the
department was in its usual condition,
and that it made a very creditable
display at the national encampment
in Washington. Memorial Day and
Flag Day were generally observed by
the Posts. the exercises in Jacksonville
being the most elaborate on the for
rner occasion, and those at Tampa on
the latter day.
The most important matter discus
sed was in regard to the bill now
before Congress for a National Sol
diers' Home in Florida, which the
encampment heartily Endorsed and
appointed the following committee to
act with the Florida senators and
representatives in securing the pas
sage of the bill: T. S. Wilmarth,
George F. Focte. ]. S. Fairhead, Henry
Donabue and ]. 6. Peterson. AS Com
rade Foote resides in Washington he
was appointed chairman of this i'm
portant committee.
The best of good feeling was mani
fest in all the discussions, and was
also displayed in the election of Off
GERS for the ensuing year, there be-
ing only two brief contests. Senior
Vice Commander !. F. Chase of st.
Petersburg was unanimously promoted
to be commander las COmrade s. w.
Fox declined nomination., and !. V.
Commander Henry Donahue Of Gaines
vile was unanimously promoted to be
S. V. c. Comrades Charles F. Haskias
of Sanford, Thomas ]. Owens of Ocala
and w. H. Melrath of Jacksonville,
three fine G. A. f. men, were nominat-
ed for junior vice commander, but be-
ing the guests of Jacksonville's Cener-
4t1a dos he
prize to DR.. Melrath. Rev. S. F. Gale
of Jacksonville, for chaplain, and DIR.
w. H. Gyms of Palatka, for medical
director, were unanimously elected, as
were L. n. La Fontisee of Gainesville,
Joseph Bumby of Ocala, William j..
May of st. Petersburg, Benjamin n.
Brock of Pomona and Joseph Holder of
Jacksonville, for council OF adminis-
tration.
There was a friendly contest between
Comrade Charles Donovan of Tampa
and Comrade S. F. Hill of Orlando for
delegate to the next national encamp-
ment, to be held in San Francisco.
Donovan won, and Hill made alternate
delegate.
The names of Past Department Com
nanders Fred Goodrich and George H.
Packwood were ordered stricken from
the roster of past officers, both having
lost their membership in the G. A. r.
st. Petersburg having withdrawn its
proposed invitation, the encampment
voted to meet next year with H. w.
Chatfield Post at St Augustine.
The usual vote of thanks was given
to o. NJ Mitchell Post for it's generous
hospitality to the retiring department
commander and his assistant adjutant
general, both of whom have been dis
abled for months, to Special Assistant
Adjutant General Geo. T. Foote and
TO Col A. o. Mcdonnell of the Sea-
board Railway; Capt. j. D. Ralmen of
the East Coast Railway, and Gen.
Manager Chas. L. Myers of the P. &
D. Steamship Co. for their prompt and
generous efforts to secure a one-fare
rate for the delegates.
Two beautiful white silk guidons,
with Florida" in gold lettering, were
presented to the encampment by Post
Department Commander Geo. F. Forte
from his sister-in-law at Washington,
D. c., who declined to accept pay for
headquarters, but put the money into
this beautiful gift, for which the en-
campment gave her a hearty rising
vote of thanks.
The newly elected officers were in
stalled in a very excellent manner by
Port Department Commander Chas.
VI. Ellis of Jacksonville, who used a
greatly improved installation service
arranged by Post Department Com
nander Edwin Kirby of Palatka.
Commander Chase named Comrade