Omaha daily bee., 1883-05-17
A Scene of Excitement and
Confusion Equalled Only
by Congress.
General Newton Elected by a
Vote of 1866 to III
for Grant.
To Which IL Added n Large VaIi-
ETY. OF General Capital News
THE POTOMAC ARMY
Special Dispatch TO THS BES.
SOLDIERS REUNION.

of weather for their street
display. During the forenoon the air
was enlivened whit the music of martial
bands, aud the streets were filed with
uniformed bodies Of volunteer and
regular soldiers. The procession was
5000 strong, and stood in front Of
the White House ard was reviewed
by the president, cabinet and mem.
bers of foreign legations.
WASHINGTON, May ia general
business meeting of the society of the
Army of the Potomac was held In the
afternoon and after the transaction of
routine matters President HUMPHREYS
announced as the next business In
order the election of eff ,ers for the
ensuing year. Up to this point per.
feet order and uuanimity had marked
the proceedings. The scene, however,
which ensued and the discussion which
took place In the course of the next
hree.quarters of an hour recalled
most wildly the closing hours of the
Forty. fifth congress. Motions and
amendments, calls to order, appeals to
the chair which the chair could not
hear, or II he could, could not make
himself heard to reply to, followed
one another in rapid succession.
Nominations for president having
been declared In order, Gen. Mann
of North Carolina, In behalf of the
Sixth corps announced the pameof that
grand old soldier, Geaeral John
Newton" As soon as the appliance
which greeted this announcement had
somewhat subsidized, Mayor Steiner
shouted at the top of his voice a NOM
nation by the Fifth corps, General
Grant. Cheers and cries of Grant
Grant, "Vott - "Newton!"
Grant," for some minutes, made 1t
impossible for anyone to score. Cen
,lsman who were on their feet could
not be- heard. Then followed a run.
ming discussion as to General Grants
eligibility. Some one from the stage
declared he was an honorary member.
A voice from the audience replied
HE hasn't paid his dues" another
called out, For fourteen years he
declined to become a member Of
our society: why burden him
with this honor now" 1t was moved
to proceed to ballot. Gen. Mann
then arose and stated that after con.
sultation with several of his associates
of the Sixth corps, az there seemed tc
| be O general desire to elect Grant, h.
would withdraw the name of Con.
Newton. This was a signal for re
newed commotion, accompanied by
cries of Good" and Don't with,
draw" whicn was heightened wher
Gen. Barnum of Connecticut, In ring
ing tones, announced he would with
draw the name Of Gen. Grant.
A voice, "What right have you t.
withdraw him2"
Gen. Barnum GAS presiding officer
of the Fifth corps, at their meeting
to-day and because / know p~ersonall,
that Grant, though hs was though
not unworthy to command us a
Appomotax, does not desire the oner
Gus duty In these times of peace, snt
would not permit his name to be tn,
subject of controversy. If there Ia
single objection l withdraw his name.
The president being utterly unabl'
to make himself heard, Gen. Horsti,
@. King, the secretary, essayed t.
straighten out matters, and finally the
nominations of Generals Grant snc
Newton were renewed and the ballot
Ing proceeded. After the appointment
of several committees the result O
the balloting for president wat an
nounced as follows: Gen. Newton 155
Gen. Grant liz, scattering z.
Newton's election was made unani
nous, and with the exception u vi,
president, the old officers were re
elected.
Brooklyn, N. Y, was selected q
the place of the next reunion Of thu
society, and the meeting adjourned.
The exercises Ia the evening at tn
National theatre drew an audience dis
tinguished, enthusiastic and sympa
thetic. General Humphries, ~retlrin
president, opened the exercises b.
Introducing Judge Edmonds. Will
Judge Edmonds was speaking Genera
Sherman came on the state from on
of the wings. As he moved across t
his seat In front the veterans caugh
sight of him and interrupted tn
speech to give him a welcome wit
three ringing cheers and q "tiger.
Many veterans In their enthusiasm
stood upon seats and waved theI
hats. At the conclusion OF Judg
Edmonds' address the marine ban
rendered "The Star Spsngled Banner
and then the president introduced tn
poet George Alfred Townsend, VIII
with much feeling delivered a poem
the reading of which was frequent
interrupted by applause.
Following thu poet came tho oratc
of the evening, Major MARTA Magii
mis-, whose address was most elCquel
In praise of the vslorou5 achievement
Of the Army of the Potomac.
There were loud calls for Gener
4: Sherman, when Major Maginnis CO.
cluded. The veteran commander, ste.
ping to the front of the stage, amid
storm of applause and ringing cheer
pleasantly alluded to the old saying
. the Army of the Potomac, that "th'
didn't want any bUmmeru," and sal
II was the person to whom you we
referring" The general proceeded
point out that the memori
Of the war were Common
q all soldiers of the war, to whatev
army they belonged. They follow,
. one flag, he said, and fought In o.
= cause and that was the union, cou
I try and preservation of the COVER
ment transmitted them by hon,