Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20
PENNSYLVANIA,
The Keystone State Marches l5,1O2 BY
Actual Count.

Third in the order Of seniority as it is and
Boosting of having considerably more than one
fourth its entire state membership in ranks.
one did not need telescope to determine which
was the Pennsylvania department. in the big
ceremony Of the day.
Pennsylvania Grand Army men are a crowd
Of old soldier boys distinctively youthful in
their enthusiasm, and as the rule of the depart
ment is very strict regarding uniform, trimness
and precision of martial maneuvers are among
the chief characteristics OF the keystone state
contingent. The thousands Of spectators along
the avenue did no. need to be told that the
Pennsylvanians were humorous as the sands
OF the sea, nor was there a Munchausen in the
crowd to declare that hours were necessary for
those particular veterans to pass q given point
Blu. If some enterprising photographer could
have assembled an exceedingly tall and fgura-
tive house top in the neigbborhood Of the de-
partment rendezvous about o clock this morn
ing he would have been able to take a snap
shot OF enough thousands of voters oNmake
glad the heart Of the most exacting set of ward
heeiers and politicians on the continent.
Fifteen thousand one hundred and two mon,
by actual figures Of the assistant adjutant gen.
eral Of the department, would have been the
sight to greet the eyes of the photographer, aud
in long, dense blue lines they we're massed about
the squares between Maryland avenue and B. C
and ID streets southwest while waiting for the
signal, which changed the command Ito carry
arms, about face and forward march" But
for the stringent regulations, which every one
Of the posts in the department 10 compelled 10
observe. the showing OF the day would have
run little short Of 20. 900 men, who once carried
real muskets and wore blue uniforms furnished
by Uncle Sam.
PROMPT REPORTS AT HEADoUARrERa.
As fast as the various posts arrived yesterday
and during last night, each commander re-
ported at headquarters the exact number Of
marching men which he intended marshaling
for parade. These were tabulated and lust at
midnight Col. Town was able to inform bis su-
perior officer that 10, l02 old soldiers would fol-
low the headquarters f~g to the end Of the
march. Every expected post had reported.
And here was case when second estimates
like thought Of the same numerical denomina-
ton. proved a winner. Yesterday morning
1900 was considered a conservative estimate
for PENNSYLVANIA quota in ranks. This morn
Ing showing beat that total even. Post COM
manders reported hundreds Of other members
OF their organizations who have reached the
age when marching Is not the easy thing Ii was
thirty years ago and az o consequence they
chscred their comrades from the sidewalk
Had every one Of tho visitors been able to tnke
fle In the procession Pennsylvania would
have exhibited the largest number Of one de-
partment In line since the Grand Army was Or
gsnized. II came within IN ace Of breaking the
record In any event and the veterans kept proud
sts as though they were thoroughly aware Of
the fact.
A Grand Army man in that section Of the
country Is not considered anythiag
very elaborate in the way Of Grand
Army man unless he appears in ranks
clad In the regulation blue suit with white vest,
black tie and fatigue cap. That Is what the
rule says must be worn and tbs SLOUGH hat isn't
tolerated. II isn't soldieFly, Psunsylvanis
veterans declare, and % thers wasnt com
mand In the departments corner Of the BIZ
procession that bad not tho appearance Of
ESPECIALLY lifted mp for the oosaslou." Thsre
are some baAis up In Rsansyivspia, 10, and
many are Of quality such = Nara Tvain
would dsscrtbs - Blamed U they AMT handA"