The herald., 1896-04-16
Thinks the Ohio Man Will Be
Nomin ated
THE BOSSES AGAINST HIM
Commander Walker Extends His HaId
to Confederate Veterans
He Says He Has Been Greatly f1isrep-e-
sented About the New York Parade.
Condition Of the Grand Army

Gen. I. n. Kalker, the commander Of
the Grand Army of the Republic. ar
rived in this city last evening over the
Santa Fe route, and took apartments
at the Westminster The commander
is a man past 60 years of age and is very
distinguished in appearance. He
stands over six feet and has all the
erect and graceful carriage of the mill
tary man and the elastic step that is
seldom found in one of his years. There
is something kindly in the commanders
manner.
representative of the Herald had a
brief interview with him at the hotel
last evening. MY presence here is
due partially to official reasons and par
TALLY to see some of this country. as it
Is my first visit. When / was elected
commander of the Army at Louisville,
Ky, last year, / promised the California
delegation that i would visit their
state,so am here to fulfill that promise.
The state enca-npment occurs at Santa
Cruz on the 22d inst, and while in Cali
fornia l shall attend there
LAS regaHls the condition of the army
the old fellows have never been 50
firmly together as now. OF course the
ranks are being thinned out each year
by death, yet the organization is in
splendid shape and the spirit of com
radeship is as intense and earnest as
could be desired.
understand that the commander of the
Grand Army has no views on that sub
ject. Personally, however, l am IN
intense partisan. Whoever the Repub-
lican party may nominate will be my
man. I have an admiration for Me-
kinley and Allison. yet think that !
favor the former. The principles which
he represents are, 1 believe, what the
majority of the American people believe
in, for he is opposed to the rule of the
bosses. was in New England in Feb
1uary, and while the people have an
admiration for their candidate there
is a strong undercurrent running in
favor of Mckinley. This is true OF
New York, too. I admire Governor
Morton for his many splendid qualities,
yet do not believe that the men who
are urging his name for the Republican
nomination are sincere i'll the matter
The people want protection now, and
for this reason I think that Mckinley
will be nominated hands down. There
are strong attempts being made by the
bosses to defeat him. but do not be-
: lieve that this cry of "favorite son" will
hurt his chances in the least The peo-
pie are like the pendulum of clock aud
are swinging from one extreme to tie
other. 1 think now they will swing to
protection, and Mckinley certainly rep
resents that principle.
'In regard to the controversy which
was occasioned over the parade of the
confederate veterans in New York city.
I will say that have been greatly mis-
represented. Statements have been inn
puted to me that never made. The po-
sition which I took then, and which all
the Grand Army comrades agree with,
is that we are ready and willing to take
by the hand all of the confederate veter-
ans who laid down their arms at Appo-
mattox and have been good citizens
and patriotic men since then. What l
am opposed to is their appearing in the
gray uniforms and bearing their ban
ners. 1 do not think this is calculated
to have a good effect upon our children
growing up. Those men should do as
Gen. Lee advised them at the surrender.
lay aside that uniform and bury their
flag; it is past and gone now"
Gen. Walker will remain in this city
for several days before going north.