The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-15
LEGION CAMP
BEGINS.
The National Organization
Welcomed to Williams
port, Penna.

Williamspert, Sept. 1.-THE thirteenth na
tional encamplnent OF the Union Veteran
| Legion was formerly opened today with
public meeting at the Lycoming Operi
| House, where eloquent addresses Wer,
made welcoming the visitors to the city
and as equally eloquent responses wert
made by prominent members Of tho order
The Opera House wns beautifully deco.
rated with United States and Cuban flags
At $50 o'clock Colonel james S. Smyth,
chairman Of the Committee on Entertain
ment, called the meeting to order and in
troduced National Commander Blak9ly,
who presided. Other p8tional officers pre-.
sent were Senior Vice Nationol Command
or Z. D. Spooner, ChicagQi Adiutant Gen
eral A. d. Hay, pittsbur5) Quarlermnster
General Thomas j. Hubbard, Baltimore;
Judge Advocate, General Jacob Il. Slnglc,
Piltsburg; Chaplain in Chief Charles l..
Shersnr, Canton, N. Y; Inspector lGon-
eral, ]. W. Smith, Buffalo; Chief Muster
ing Officer, Thomas ]. Shannon, Washing
tau, DC.
Commander Blakely read letter from
Gov ernOr Hastings regretting his inability
to be present TO welcome the officers and
delegates to the State He then introduced
Mayor James Mansel. who cordially well
coined the delegates TO Williamsport and
and extended them the hospitality of the
city.
Emerson Collins was then introduced by
tho commander. and gave the veterans IN
eloquent address Of welcome on behalf of
the citizens generally. He recountod the
deeds of the men who went to tho front in
'G1, and his speech was greeted with tre-
mundous applause. Responses were made
by Commander Blakely, George l.. Skin
nor, of Pttsburg, and Corporal Tanner.
The latter, in his address, advocated keep
ing tho American flag wherever iG has been
raised, and the sentiment was loudly ap-
plauded. Major Emmett Urell, of the
First District Of Columbia Volunteers,
who just returned from Santiago, gave
tho veterans an interesting account Uf
some of the experience in the Cuban cam.
paign.
AT the conclusion of thepublic meeting
tho encampment went into II short eXecu-
tive session, during which committees were
appointed. Colonel G. p. Boyer, of Phila.
delphia, was made chairman of the Com
mittce on Resolutions. The committee ap-
pointed at the last nation al encampmentto to
ascertain the cost of per diem pension
bill presented comprehensive report
made up largely from statistics furnished
by Pension Commissioner Evans. The re-
port was adopted.
Commander Blakely presented his an
ICNlCW Vi lut NOtk VI Vic ycht 1lo
recommended that tho national officers be
elected for two years instead of one. There
were 4l9 suspensions during tho year and
ISL deaths.
THE BIG PARADE.
This afternoon the old veterans parad.
ell the streets to tho strains of martial mu
sic and amid cheers from the throats OF
thousands who lined the streets over
which tho VcterauS DnSsel.
One Of the most inspiriting scenes was
tbepresence of the public school children,
who were assembled ut convenient points
along the line waving national flags and
singing patriotic airs. 1t seemed to glad
den the hearts Of the old soldiers and
quickened their steps. many barring their |,
heads to the little ones as they passed
The procession was made up of four di- |
visions, headed by Chief Marshal Fores-
man and uides and national officers Then |
came tbs Pittsburg and Washington En-.
campments In the second division were |
the Philadelphia, Wellsboro and Lock |
Haven Encampmcnts, followed by dele
gates to the encampment, Sons of Veterans
and. last OF all, carriages continuing the
Mayor. invited guests end veterans who |
were unable TO march by roason of wounds |
or physical infirmities Tho veterans march |
ed well and made Il fine appearance,
10 night the visitors were entertained |
ut cam pare at the Opera House.
The Ladies Auxiliary held short Sos !
sion tAis afternoon,