Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-20
Activity Among Comrades Over
Choice Of Department Commander.
THREE CONTEST ANTS FOR TEE HONOR
Rivalry Between Two in Burnside
Post, No. 8.
PLEDGE OF THE DELEG ATES

made until February, but the campaign is
already quite vigorous one, with three
known candidates in the field-Dr. A. j.
Huntoon, DR.. ]. F. Raub and Mr.. Arthur
Hendrix, present assistant adjutant gen.
eral of the department. The first and the
last named are members of the same post
Burnside-and upon this fact, it is said,
hinges the present interest
when Ii became definitely known that
MI. Hendrix was candidate for the place
there was considerable stir in Burnside
Post. Dr. Huntoon was defeated last year,
IL was said, largely through the opposi-
ton to him of Mr. Hendrix, and it was
at once insisted by the formers friends
tnat ne should be again put forward for
the honor and this was finally the re-
SUIT me race between them has been
from the beginning, far as known a
good atured rivalry, with Just enough of
party spirit to lend Zest to the proceed
lnss. There was no small amount of wire
pulilnS IN the several posts to secure the
favCr of delegates, the elections so far as
made having been engineered by the friends
OF the several aspirants. with losses and
gains IN proportion to the amount of ac-
tivity displayed.
Several weeks ago the proposition was
made, it is said, by the friends of Mr.. Hem
driX that vote should be taken in Burn
side Post 10 determine which of the two
comrades should have the support of the
organization in the coming department en-
campment This challenge was at once ac-
cepted by Dr.. Huntoons friends and at a
late meeting the vote was taken, with the
understanding, it is understood, that the
vote of Burnside Post should determine
which of the candidates should retire. 1T
was d secreta ballot as between Messrs
Huntoon and Hendrix direct. not upon the
selection of delegates. and the result was
in favor of the former by a vote of to /.
9 q of doll FOIL wi,
toon and Hendrix candidates in the field
and resulted in victory for Huntoon by
vote of about 3 to 1. Not satisfied with
this victory, which. on the face of affairs,
seemed TO be complete, DIR. Huntoon's
friends proceeded to elect alternate dele
gates, pledged to support him in the en-
campment. in case any of them should be
admitted in lieu of regular delegates.
Meanwhile the Hendrix forces had been
active in other posts, and had secured q
number of delegates. 1t is understood the
colored vote had been pledge to him al
most unanimously, and he had a consid-
cradle support throughput the District,
besides having the Endorsement of Com
mander Hopkins. They accordingly be-
Hove1 they could make so good showing
on the first ballot in the encampment
without the aid of Burnside Post, and that
upon this showing Burnside's delegates
would be won over. Mr.. Hendrix was
therefore continued i'll the race, and his
friends are sui actively at work IN ms
behalf
1t Is said that DIR. Huntoons friend re-
sent this action upon the part of the oppo-
sition. 1t was their understan ling. they
declare, that the vote of Burnside Post
should settle the question for or against
their candidate. and. had the decision
been in favor OF Mr.. Hendrix, Dr. Huntoon
would have been Immediately Withdrawn.
The Huntoon advocates claim that in
addition to having the solid support OF the
home 4
considerable majority than will be cast for
either of the other two on the first ballot
and in order to demonstrate their soldity
and to set at rest the question as to their
intention to vote for Mr.. Hendrix or any
ether candidate than Huntoon, the repre-
sentatives elected by Burnside Post, as
well as the alternates and others having
votes have signed a document of which the
following is copy:
We. the undersigned. commander. rep
resentatives and alternates of Burnside
Post, No. 8, having been instructed by
more than two-thirds vote of our post
to use all honorable means to secure the
election of Dr. A. ]. Huntoon for comman-
der of the Department of the Potomac, G.
A. r., for the ensuing year, hereby pledge
ourselves to stand by our instructions and
to vote as a unit for all candidates for de-
partment offices in the ensuing national
encampment. And we further pledge that
at no time during said election or under
any circumstances. will we vote for any
other member of Burnside Post for any de-
partment Office
This paper is signed by George P. Davis,
ID. A. Grosvenor, George c. Ross, Henry
H. Moler. Joseph E. Hart, Thomas NJ. Vim
cent, John Il. Gilfillen, Thomas H. Sypherd,
the representatives; George T. Carter.
Chris. Storm, Charles E. Persons, S. w.
Tallmadge. A. NJ. Salmon, n. D. Adams,
l.. J. Bryant and A. B. Jameson, alter
mates, and by w. S. Odell. past department
commander. The commander of the post
did not sign. but is equally pledged with
the others, and the signature of one alter
nate, also pledged, was omitted because of
his absence from the city. DIR. Huntoon
who is a delegate, did not sign for obvious
reason. The meeting at which this action
was taken was held Saturday evening.
Meanwhile DIR. Raub's friends are making
a quiet canvass. They say but little, but
it is understood they hone TO gain from
both the other candidates when voting time
comes. So far as known, there is no cause
for friction between them and the Hendrix
men. and ii Is stated with certainty that
there is the best of feeling between the
Raub and the Huntoon forces. 1t is noted
as unusual precaution that no figures
given out by any of the leaders. but
the Huntoon faction expresses the utmost
confidence in the outcome.
There is a rumor current that in a certain
event Commander Hopkins will be a can
didate for reelection. but this is believed
by many to have but little foundation.
m