Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-09-08
ROOTS FOR P|NGREE.
Veterans at a Camp Fire Make a
Demonstration That Was
Too Previous.
REFUSE TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR,

Eneampment-Great Annual Parade
success-Twenty-Five Thousand in Linz
Prospects a to the Next Commander.
Cincinnati. Sept. s.-Music hall was
IaSked to its fullest capacity last night
for the camp fire presided over by Col
W. 3. Melish. executive director of the
e@SiS ems committee of arrangements fol
ne G. A. r. encampment. The music
vas up to the high standard Of other
evenings as well as the war pictures by
the biograph and the Syrian Arab
patrol. OF Cincinnati, gave a magnificent
performance. Tuesday night Governor
Atkinson. Of West Virginia. was to
have been one of the speakers at the
camp fire. but he did not arrive in time
TO get ticket of admission and al
though he presented letters and mani
fold other credentials as to his identity
he could not pass by the stubborn po-
liceman at the door and left in disgust
before any one could reach him for
Identification. While one governor was
shut out with a carefully prepared
speech in his pocket Tuesday night an
other governor was Missed and hooted
out in a still more disgraceful manner
last night.
Pingree Attacks Army Management.
AS Governor Pingree. of Michigan, was
compelled to take a train at 1890 for
Detroit he was given the first place on
the programme. Governor Pingree in
his prologue stated that owing to i'm
perative business he must leave. be-
cause the state of Michigan was pre-
pairing to send a hospital train through
the south to gather up the sick soldiers
of that state. The governor referred to
the alleged Eismanagement and desti-
tuition OF the soldiers: I'VE must not
place the blame upon any one man, but
we can charge it upon an absolete sys-
tenn of red tape that is still in vogue"
He cited several cases of abuse and
suffering due to the delay of red tape"
and became very vehement in denuncia-
tion of such formalities at the sacrifice
of comfort, health and human life.
Old Veterans Hoot Him Down.
After citing a particular case of bad
management in the distribution of dis
infectants Governor Pingree said: IF
Secretary Alger - but Governor Pin
gree never finished that sentence. He
could not proceed. and even with the
most persistent efforts of Chairman
Melish the governor was unable to utter
another word. 4 voice in the audience
cried: "Hurrah for Alger." The cry
was taken up in a boisterous chorus.
The governor attempted repeatedly to
proceed, but the audience refused to
listen to another word. The three words
II Secretary Alger -" had left a wrong
The audience interpreted
these three words to be the beginning
OF a strain of censure and criticism. and
absolutely refused to let the speaker
proceed.
Governor Pingree continued his ef-
forts to resume. but this only infiamed
the audience more. and soon shouts of
Amen" Take him off," I'VE don't
want to hear him" and the like were
heard throughout the hall.
Audience Was Too Previous.
Chairman Melish made repeated futile
to quell the disturbance, hut
those who started the racket persisted
in keeping il up. The governor then
retired. Governor Pingree was read
ing his speech from manuscript After
the governor had left and quiet had
been restored Chairman Melish finished
the sentence which the audience had
to permit Governor Pingree to
read. 1t ran as follows: If Secretary
Alger had been given full power such
things would never have happened"
The transformation OF the audience was
then humiliating to all who were pres
ent. The Kisses OF derision were turned |
into cheers and repeated calls for Gov
ernor Pingree. but hes had left the hall |
and refused to return. Chairman Melish |
expressed his regrets for the misunder- |
standing and proceeded with the pro-
gramme. The succeeding speeches had |
the most attentive audience.
MARCH FOR FOUR HOURS. !