Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1891 — G. A. R. OFFICERS. [ARTICLE]

G. A. R. OFFICERS.

The grand encampment G, A. R.. at Detroit, on the 6th elected John Palmer, ol New York, Commander-in-Chief. The. ether candidates w ere A. G. Weissart ol Wisconsin, W. P. Smedburg of California; and S. 11. Hurst of Ohio--the latter withdrawing. The first toillot resulted: Palmer 323, Weissart 270. Smedburg 177. Palmer’s election occurred on the second ballot. Palmer was a captain during the war. Henry M. Duffield, of Michigan, was chosen Senior Vice Commander by acclamation, Other officers elected were: • T. S. Clarkson, of Nebraska, Junioi Vice Commander. S. B. Payne, Florida, Chaplain. B. T. Stevenson, Connecticut, Surgeon General. The recommendation of the command-er-in-chief that separate departments for white and black e.x-soldiers be founded created intense feeling. The discussion was lengthy .and peppery. The majority report, rejecting the recommendation of the commander, was adopted. Applausand hisses prevailed throughout the disc cussion. The result was a victory for the black men, the question arrising from the refusal of white ex-soldiers in Louisiana and Mississippi to fraternize with colored cx-soldlers. .