The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-22
GEN. MILES AT BOSTON
BAY STATE LEGISLATORS GIVE HIM
A CORDIAL RECEPTION,
And He Is the Guest of Honor mt the
Algonquin Club Banquet-Brief
Speech by the Soldier.

BOSTON, Mass, March H.-Maj Gen.
Nelson A. Miles visited the Legislature this
afternoon. He first was received by the
Senate where he made brief address. He
then went to the House, where similar
programme was carried out Each branch
took a recess after General Miles had ad-
dressed them, during which the members
were presented to the visitor. Just after
leaving the Statehouse, one of the after
noon papers containing the announcement
that Mr.. Sherman had died, was shown to
General Miles. Unfortunately the contra
dictory report was not received for some
hours later and while General Miles ex-
pressed his intention of carrying out the
days programme, Mrs. Miles requested that
her numerous engagements should be can
celed This was done at once, and she re-
turned TO the house very much depressed
over the sad news. A few hours later a
reporter of the Associated Press brought her
the welcome news that Mr.. Sherman was
still alive. In the meantime, General Miles,
despite the heavy weight of loss on his
mind bravely stood the test of hours of
handshaking at the Algonquin Club previous
to the banquet in the same clubhouse by
the Merchants Club, 6. dining organization.
In the midst of the festivities the Asso-
ciated Press dispatch was shown him, and
he at once expressed his great joy at the
good news.
General Miles closed the day by attending
a banquet given him by the Merchants
Club at the Algonquin Club tonight. More
than 300 leading merchants of this city were
present The event of the evening was the
reading of the Associated Press dispatch
denying that John Sherman was dead and
Al a. H. l. .-@lf
he rose to speak. of toast and long
life to the statesman. The beef investiga-
ton was referred to by some of the speak
ers, but only in general way.
General Miles and Lieutenant Colonel
Michler sat on the right of President John
Mason Little, who presided. On the i'm
mediate left were Governor Wolcott and
Adjutant General Dalton. Mr. Titles warm
words of welcome were followed by General
Taylor's comparison of the soldiers of the
civil war with those OF the late war with
Spain, closing with this sentiment: Here's
to General Miles, the soldier who has been
in more battles than any man who has ever
worn the American uniform
Governor Wolcott received a warm greet
ing. and he, too, welcomed the distinguished
guest in his official capacity, and said that
Massachusetts, was proud of the record of
her honored son. The Governor referred TO
the beef investigation, and said that Gen.
Col. a. a. Pope, lifelong friend of Gen
eral Miles, gave a short sketch of his
career In behalf of the Grand Army of
the Republic, John f. Gilman. department
commander of this State, gave General
Miles cordial greeting. President Little
then introduced the guest of the evening,
vho arose amid great applause.
Gen. Miles prefaced his remarks by ex-
pressing his great relief that Mr. Sherman
was still alive and asked that the club join
him in toast TO the man who had been his
dear friend for so many years and who had
served his country so well. The toast was
drunk amid great enthusiasm. Gen. Miles
spoke of the herOism of the soldiers of the
civil war and continued:
In our last war with a foreign country
Massachusetts was found well equipped and
in complete readiness. Like the minute men
of revolutionary days the record of the Sec
ond and Ninth Massachusetts in Cuba and
many of her sons soldiers and sailors in the
far distant Occident was only equaled by
the action OF their brothers in the Orient.
II noticed very interesting picture on
the 2lst day of last July, when the good
battleship Massachusetts turned it's prov to
the east in the waters of the West Indies.
That majestic vessel was commanded by
gallant admiral from this Commonwealth,
was followed by a cruiser freighted with
that splendid regiment, the Sixth Massa-
chuSetts, which in its turn was followed
closely by the Gloucester and a fleet of
transports carrying light and liberty to the
west to plant our flag in country which
had been occupied for hundreds of years by
Spanish power: We may well expect that 1t
will be ever thus. that in every ENTERPRISE
requiring skill, fortitude and patriotism
Massachusetts, will hold a conspicuous place
in the interest of progress and the welfare
of mankind.
"As a SON of Massachusetts I believe that
the same principles of truth. integrity indie
pendence and patriotism that have prevailed
in this grand Commonwealth for centuries
will continue TO be perpetuated In every
sphere in life. be it civil. political or COM
mercial."