Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1894 — G. A. R. ENCAMPMENT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

G. A. R. ENCAMPMENT.

Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Indiana Departments Lafayette Give* the Veterans a Royal Welcome—The "Star’' CUv in Hollday Attire, The fifteenth annual Encampment G. A. R.. Department of Indiana, convened at Lafayette, Wednesday, April 4, at the Grand Opera House. Department Commander Johnson presided. As he called the Encampment to order tho venerable form of General Manson was seen and the delegates stqod to their feet and gave him a soldiers’ welcome. A committee representing the Commercial Club of Louisville was introduced, bearing a gavel made from an oak taken from the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. This was presented by Marmaduke li. Bowden, president of the club, who paid a glowing tribute to the great emancipator. The morning session was devoted to hearing officers’ reports. The Commander in his annual report reviewed the work of the yean at length. Ho recommended that permanent Grand Army headquarters be established at the State Capital, and the Gen-i oral Assembly be requested to set apart a room for tho preservation of records in

the Capitol tmuding. The question of seniority of departments yet pending in the National Encampment was discussed and thcJDepaftment was urged to select delegates to the Pittsburg Encampment who would be sure to attend and look after the interests of Indiana. Reference was made to the report of the assistant quartermaster general relative tot ho condition of the department finances. Although additional expense was growing out of the National meeting last .September, the cash on hands and receipts for the year showed a total of $9,481.43, and the expenditures $7,195.08; leaving cash on hand, $2,338.85. The assets, including first mortage loans, interest due, etc., were $10,069.01—an increase of $1,099,99 during the year. While the statistics showed a slight increase in membership during the year, the commander regretted that the increase had not been as great as was desirable. The proposition to erect and maintain a State Soldiers’ Home., indorsed by previous encampments, was enthusiastically commented upon, and, on behalf of the. department, the Commander returned thanks to the generous citizens of Lafayette who had made a magnificent donation of land and money for the home. The citizens propose to convoy to tho encampment 240 acres of land and $5,000 cash, and the commander regretted that no assistance was secured from tho last Legislature. Reference was made to the Soldiers’ Monument, and the Encampment was congratulated upon the success of the ’ light upon the Mexican dates. A feeling tribute to departed comrades was paid, and especial mention made of the death of C. A. Zollinger, of Ft. Wayne. The general observance of Decoration Day was recommended. ■ Tbe State Encampment of tho W. R. C. was held at Trinity church. An address of welcome was made by Mrs. Oscar Craig. Mrs. Julia S. Conklin, Department President, .submitted her annual report, which showed number of corps organized during the year to bo fifteen; members April 1, 1894, 7,331; total numbor of corps, 183; expended for relief durlni the year, $4,211.70. The great event of t.heday was the annua) parade. In addition to tho great gathering of Grand Army men and their friends, th« surrounding cities contributed large delegations and the country people for mileo around came in, until tho streets of the Star City were thronged as they never had been before. The Grand Army wai elated with ail the attention shown, ani the “old boys” marched their best. Th« city schools were dismissed for tho occasion, and two thousand children wort mobilized on tho steps on all four sides ol the courthouse to review the parade Each child was provided with a flag and lusty lungs for cheering, which they did with great enthusiasm. The parade was said to be one of tho largest tho Stats Department over gave. All the fraternal societies of the city were out in uniform as an escort and guard to tho voterans, making a very showy appearance. The infantry connanies of Purdue also took part, and called forth the applause of the veterans for their soldierly bearing. A closo contest developed at tho business meeting between several cities for the next Encampment. On the second ballot Muncio was selected. At night tyrojuusing camp fires were held and numerous receptions wero given by hospitable citizens. The Department unanimously indorsed Col. I. N. Walker for commander-in-chief of the National G. A. R. The final session was hold, Thursday. The committee on resoiutins reported. The resolution suggesting that tho statue of Gen. Manson bo chosen to represent the Mexican war period at tho Soldiers’ Monument was indefinitely postponed. Other resolutions wero adopted approving the action of the Mayor of Brooklyn In refusing to substitute the Irish flag for the Stars and Stripes on St. Patrick’i Day; recommending the payment of pensions by checks or drafts sent to tho postoffice of pensioners; looking to the preservation of the rolls of membership; thanking tho*city of Lafayetto for hospitality extended; disapproving general laws on tho subject of pensioning widows; holding that a pension is a vested right. Albert O. Marsh, of Winchester, was elected department commander, and James Barney Shaw, of Lafayette, senior vice-commander; both by acclamation. A similar compliment befell 11. H. Reagon, of Lowell, junior vice-commar.der, and Dr. Charles S. Boynton, of Indianapolis, medical director. John A. Maxwell, of Delphi, and C. B. Strickland, of Huntington wero nominated for chaplain, and Maxwell was elected on the first ballot Irvin Robbins, of Indianapolis,was chosen delegate-at-large to the National Encampment, with William P. Drlle, ol Peru, alternate. The Encampment adjourned at 1 o’clock, after selecting a council of administration.

COMMANDER-IN CHIEF A. O. MARSH.