Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-09-15
The G. A. R. Veterans Thought
Alger Was to Be Criticised.
JElRLY THIRTY THOUSAND MARCHED
The Busineas Sessions Of the q. 4. X. and
III Auxlliariss Begin-Hot Contests for
the Election Among the Ladies' ~
Well ~ the Veterans.


eclipsed other events but 1t also sur
passed the meetings and reunions that
werc held on other days. The veter.
ans began assembling early for the
parade and were too tired for meet
ings or anything else after the ranks
were broken, shortly after four p. m.
The parade occurred under the bright.
est blue sky and, with everything in
its favor, 1t surpassed all expectations
The parade started promptly at ten a.
n and was completed at 1925 p. m.
The average time in passing given
points was q little over four hours,
and the general estimate OF the num-
Dor In line was between o5, 900 and 3d.
600. 1t was noticed that very many
who wore the uniform OF the order
were among the spectators along the
limo Of march. Most Of them did not
feel able TO parade, although the day
was cool and bracing as In November.
The parade was purely one Of the
Grand Army, as the naval veterans
gave their street demonstration Tues
day, and the usual floats and daylight
fireworks and other attractions were
reserved for the peace jubilee to-day.
The Denver drum corps, with So
pieces, and the band OF rough riders
from Dayton, O., with 100 pieces, were
the leading attractions In their line.
Tho Pittsburgh band, which alterna.
ted instrumental with vocal music,
possibly caught the crowd more than
Others and the singers from Kansas
were also loudly applauded. While
the Ohio division 0utnum bered the
Others, yet the Illinois department,
headed by Gen. John C. Black and
stan, made an excellent appearance as
the first division Of the great process
sion. II ranked next in mum bers to
the Ohio division, which brought up
the rear.
In the Illinois department was Co
lumbia post from Chicago, with
combination OF the military and naval
jackets, making very fine appearance.
Post No 3S4, from Detroit, appeared
with oil members in Prince Alberts, as
erect as II In parlors. The posts from
Louisiana had sugar canes with cot
ton ornaments; those from the Da.
kotas, Iowa and Kansas displayed with
attractive effect their samples OF corn
and grain. Outside OF the parade IT.
self the order was excellent, although
there were several stampedes and sew.
eral private platforms broke down.
No serious injuries are reported dur.
ing the day, except Gen. Curtis, OF
Buffalo. whose horse slipped and fell
on him.
Music hall was again packed to its
fullest capacity last night for the
camp fire. presided over by Col. W. b.
Melish, executive director of the citi-
xens' committee Of arrangements for
the encampment The music was up
to the high standard Of other evenings,
~ well as the war pictures by the
biograph and the Syrian Arab patrol
Of Cincinnati gave u magnificent per-
{ Torrance.
As Gov. Pingree, Of Michigan, was
compelled TO take train at 1880 for
Detroit, he was given the first place
on the programme. In his prologue
he stated that owing to imperative
business he must leave that night be.
cause the state of Michigan was pre-
pairing to send hospital train through
the south to gather up the sick sol.
diers Of that state. The governor re.
fcrred o the mismanagement and des-
titution OF the soldiers: 1--WE must
not lay the blame on any one man, but
we can charge 1t upon IN obsolete sys.
tenn Of red tape that Is still in vogue"
After citing n particular case of bad
management in the distribution of
disinfectants Gov Pingree said: "If
Secretary Alger--" but Gov Pinpree
never finished that sentence He
could not proceed, and even with the
persistent efforts Of Chairman Melish
the governor was unable to utter an.
other word. A voice in the audience
cried: "Hurrah for Algerm The cry
was taken up in boisterous chorus.
The governor attempted repeatedly to
proceed, but the audience refused to
listen to another word. Chairman
Melish made repeated futile attempts
to quell the disturbance, but those
who started the racket persisted in
keeping itup. The governor retired.
Gov. Pingree was reading his speech
from manuscript and had proceeded
but short way with the document
when he was cut off by the noisy and
uncomfortable interruption. After
the governor had left and quiet had
been restored, Chairman Melish fin.
ished the sentence which the audience
had refused to permit Gov. Pingree to
read. IF Secretary Ager had been
+ given full power such things would
never have happened" The trans.
formation Of the audience was then
humiliatingly complete to all who
were present.
With the demonstration yesterday.
the series OF festivities is almost closed
and the business session of the g. A.
e and Its auxiliares berin TODAY
During this afternoon there will be a
civic and industrial parade of unusual
dimensions with a peace jubilee, but
the business Of all of the orpaniza.
lions will proceed in the morning and
continue Friday night. There are
unusually hot contests for the election
AIMING the ladias nc wall ne