The times., 1898-11-06
GLAD alAND TO SOLDIERS
Tale of the Fourth Ohio's
Political Junket.
THE END OF HUNGRY HOPES
HURRIED From Porto
Rico to Vote In the Buckeye State
Received in the East Room-sent
ON Their Why With Empty stom-
achs and an Escort of Politicians.

| 1t was an, .expectant. hopeful regiment
| the Fourth Ohio-which left the Balti-
more and Ohio train yesterday morning
and set out on a three-mile march to the
White House. It was a disgusted. heart
| sick regiment which boarded the train
yesterday afternoon, after another three
mile march from the White House.
/ The men were hungry, footsore. and
| sleepy. They came to Washington by or
der Of the President. and instead of find
ing balm their misery was increased by
a lack Of food and a long tramp for po-
litical purposes only.
When the train bearing the regiment
arrived at the New York Avenue station
| of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad the
men were issued a breakfast Of travel ra-
| tions. These consisted of canned HORSE
brought back from Porto Rico. and inedi-
BILE hard tack. Nearly all of the volun-
teers threw this food out OF the car win
| dows.
wait until we get to the White House."
said they, ''and we will get some decent
| grub
| Waiting for Spread.
So they waited and after they had
stacked arms in Executive Avenue The
order came for the men TO proceed into
the White House. AS the first companies
| moved in the eyes of the other soldiers
began to brighten.
"Ah" said one, "heres where we get
| feed
We'll get something swell this time"
said another. So they moved in and re-
ceived only the glad hand.
Wen get a feed all right as soon as
this is over they said. and the saying
thereof comforted them greatly But the
time passed. they recovered arms. they
marched down the avenue with long faces
and no feed was forthcoming.
So they reached their train after the
second three-mile march and eagerly
waited for supper time when the horse"
and tack would be issued and devoureJ
Nor did the officers fare any better. No
provision was made for them and they
went without food from Fricay until Sat
urday night
But one man In the regiment failed 10
shake hands with the President He was
the color sergeant. and he remained out
side with his tattered flag He smiled
significantly when asked IL he did not feel
his position keenly, and replied that he
was no sucker.
Disgusted Regiment.
So it came that It was a disgusted
crowd of soldiers who left Washington
yesterday evening after the glorious ex-
perience of grasping by the hand the
man who had ordered them home to vote
the Republican ticket
why didn't they let go on to our
homes.'' growled big bronZed sergeant
This is a nice way to treat the boys.
Shaking hands did our stomachs lot of
good. and saved our feet on the march.
Next time / monkey with any of this
business I'll know it
Several of the lucky members of the
regiment managed to sneak away while
their companies were lined up, to shake
hands. The former rapidly hunted up
places of refreshment and felt more in
clined to go home and vote than did their
comrades who had received the inspira-
ton of the Presidential grip.
The Fourth Ohio is magnificent regi-
ment and has done splendid service and
, the treatment accorded the men was felt
very keenly. In short, many of them
may not be able to read the Republican
ticket when they arrive at their homes.
The Polite. of Ii.
While the members of the Fourth Ohio
Regiment were all glad enough to get
back to the States after their rough ex-
perience in Porto Rico. still there are
many of the volunteers who resent the
political purposes Of Senator Hanna and
other Ohio politicians who had them
rushed from Guayama to Columbus in
order that votes might be gained by the
Republican candidates in the President S
State. 1t Is known that Gen. Brooke had
urged the War Department to allow the
regiment to remain in Porto Rico for
the reason that the men were seasoned
well drilled and equipped with Krag-Jor-
gensen rifles, being the only volunteers
provided with that improved arm.
similar request had been made by Gen.
Grant, and the War Department had de-
cided that the Fourth Ohio should remain
as part of the Porto Rican garrison.
Arrangements had in fact, been made
! for the return to the United States of the
Third Illinois Regiment, when Senator
Hanna appeared at the White House and
changed the entire program. He informed
the President that a large majority of
the Ohioans in the Fourth Regiment
were Republicans. and that their votes
were badly needed. as the result in GER
tain portions of the State promised to be
close.
An Imperative Message
This is the cablegram sent forthwith to
Gen. Brooke, In command of the Ameri-
, can forces in Porto Rico:
: THE President directs you to get the
Fourth Ohio Volunteer Regiment to Co.
lumbus. Ohio, before November s."
) The Third Illinois Regiment had been
assembled for embarkation to New York.
but when the above imperative order was
received the Illinois volunteers were sent
back to their quarters and the Ohioans
were assembled as quickly as possible and
shipped to this country under full head
of steam and hurry orders
delegation of Republican politicians
from Ohio accompanied the volunteers to
do missionary work among them while en-