The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-06
BIG DAY OF
GRAND ARMY
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harbor propelled by steam let its whis-
tie go, and this, with the cheers OF
the crowds on shore, made deatening
noise. The president was the first TO
step on board the flagship from the
steep ladder that hangs over the New
Yorks side and as he did so the entire
squadron belched forth the presidents
salute Of twenty-one guns, or l26 guns
in ALL The bands of all the ships
simultaneously played Hail to the
Chief"
The president was received at the
eangway by Rear Admiral Sampson
and the staff officers of the ship. who
were in special full dress uniform.
The rail was manned by the men dur
ing the formal greeting. The call TO
quarters was then sounded and every
man OH board ship sprang to his place
just as though an engagement was
about to start. The sight greatly
pleased the president. Mr. Mckinley
was then shown over the whole ship,
starting at the aft turret, in which
two eight-inch guns are located. Stand
ing with the small enclosure of the tur-
ret were eight men naked to the waist,
who were going through the motion
of loading, sighting and firing the guns.
The president watched the proceedings
with much interest. 1t took a half
hour to go over the vessel and so in
terested did the president become that
he expressed a wish to visit the other
ships. AS he left the New York the
entire fleet again fired the presidents
salute Captain Taylor was a the gang
way when the chief executive came
aboard and was greeted again by
twenty-one guns. The battleship, like
the New York, was also cleared for ac-
ton. with ammunition up. Captain
Taylor conducted the president to the
great thirteen-inch guns aft and the
latter nimbly climbed to the top of the
turret. While he stood on the turret
it was swung around, the big guns
sighted and the entire mechanism of
the turret was explained to him.
From the Indiana Mr.. Mckinley was
rowed to the Massachusetts, Brooklyn
and Texas. He did not inspect these
vessels but merely contented himself
by greeting the commanders of each.
An Inspiring Sight.
The return of the president to the
shore was an inspiring one. The Texas
was moored furthest up the river and
the presidential party lad to pass
each of the great vessels on its return
to shore. The river was alive with
craft crowded to their utmost capac-
tty and a great noise was being made.
AS the barge neared the flagship the
signal was given to salute and six big
ships again belched forth a terrific
salute. Every man and officer on the
ships stood at attention and the bands
added to the din by again playing the
Hail to the Chief" The barge was
stopped while the salute was being
fired and after it had ceased the Il
brawny sailors pulled for the shore,
>losing one of the most patriotic scenes
chat has ever taken place on the river.
President Mckinley proved to % a
good sailor. The river was very rough
because of the large number of steam
vessels in the vicinity of the squadron.
The barge constantly pitched violently
but the president rather enjoyed the
shake up. A noticeable feature Of the
visit to the fleet was the presidents
cordial greeting to the men on each
ship. He never once forgot the boys
and bowed to them upon boarding and
leaving the ships.
The party reached the hotel at 6:30
and preparations for the evening were
made.
Candidates for Commander.
The fight for commander in chief con-
tinues and each candidate still feels
sure that he will land a winner. Col
onel Albert D. Shaw, of Watertown
y. Y, seems to lead, with Comrade
Leo Rassieur, of st. Louis, good sec
ond.
There is not much talk about the
Office of senior vice-commander-in-
chief tonight, the canvass for that
office being rather quiet and it is not
known who will get the place. NJ.
Minton, of Kentucky, will probably be
named for junior vice-Commander, while
William H. Baker, of Massachusetts,
seems to have the call for surgeon gem
eral-in-chief.
The contest among the cities for the
holding of next years encampment has
narrowed down to Chicago and Salt
Lake City 1t is practically conceded
that Chicago will be the winner.
The actual business of the encamp-
ment will begin tomorrow at the Grand
opera house. About ESQ delegates will
have seats in the encampment, which
will last two days.
The committee on pensions of the ma
tional encampment met today and COM
pleted the report. around which the de-
bate of the sessions is likely to centre.
1t is said that while the committee will
suggest certain changes in laws that
now seem to he equivocal, and will cite
instances of HARDSHIP that haya rop,n
as result of the Interpretation of the
Law, 1t will not join in the denuncia- :
ton of the pension commissioner. II.
Clay Evans.