The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-06

lar Course Pursued Preparatory
to Il BnttIe-CrOwds Cheered the
President Wherever He Went
Veterans of the Civil War Pleased
by His Presence.
PHn.ADEIPHIA,S Sept. 5.--The visit to
the North Atlantic squadron by Fresl-
dent Mckinley was today's great feature
Of the Grand Army encampment, second
not even to the parade of the veterans,
which was the leading event of the en-
campment proper.
The visit to the fleet was decided upon
this morning, when Admiral Sampson
called upon the president at the Hotel
Walton 1t was the intention to have
the chief executive remain here until next
Friday to review the naval parade and
visit the squadron, but the presidents s
desire to return to Washington tonight
caused a Encouragement in the pro-
gramme.
The visit of the president to the squad
ron proved to be the greatest marine
spectacle ever seen here. 1t was the in
tention to have Mr.. Mckinley visit only
the New York, but he grew so enthu-
siastic over the great fighters that he
suddenly made uD his mind to inspect
all of them. Accordingly he visited the
flagship New York, cruiser Brooklyn, and
the battIeships Indiana, Massachusetts
and Texas. 1t was his intention to also
visit the cruiser Detroit, but, much to his
regret, he was unable to do so on ac-
Of To- nf W.
a continuous roar of guns during the one
and three-Quarters hours that it took
to inspect the vessels. In all, 462 guns
were fired by the squadron in presidents
saIutes.
Notwithstanding the fact that it was
not generally known that President Nc
Kinley would visit the squadron, there
was a great crowd at Chestnut street
wharf when he boarded the admirals s
balge, manned by twelve sailors from
the New York. 1t was nearly noon when
official information came to the fleet that
the president would visit the squadron.
Signals We're Immediately run up on the
flagship to clear the ship for action,
and prepare for action and prepare to
receive the president" Rear Admiral
Sampson, Capts. Chadwick, Taylor, Sigs-
reviewed the Grand Army parade, return
ed to their ships at o'clock. Everything
was hustle on the big warships and the
decks were soon stripped OF every NOV
able article.
PRESIDENT sALUTED.
AT 4:15 the president boarded the barge.
He was accompanied by Secretary of
War Root, Secretary of Agriculture Will
son, Lieutenant Commander Winslow,
Mayor Ashbridge, United States Senator
Sewell, Director of Public Works Had
dock and Director of Public Safety Eng
lish. Every vessel in the harbor pro-
PEELED by steam let its whistle go, al$
this, with the cheers of the crowds on
shore, made a deafening noise. The
president was the first to step on board
the flagship from the ladder that hangs
over the New York's side, and as he did
so the entire squadron belched forth the
presidents salute of twenty-one guns or
12G guns in all The bands of all the
ships simultaneously played Hail to the
Chief" The president was received at
the gangway by Rear Admiral Sampson
and the staff officers of the ship, who
We're in full dress uniform. The rail was
manned by the men during the formal
greeting. The call to quarters was then
sounded and every man on board ship
sprang to his place, just as though an
start. Sl2nt
greatly pleased the president.
Mr.. Mckinley was shown over the ship.
beginning at the twelve-inch guns. Stand
ing within the small enclosure OF the
tuTret We're eight men, naked to the waist
who were going through the motion of
loading, sighting and firing the guns. The
president watched the proceeding with
much interest 1t took half an hour to
go over the vessel, and so interested did
ho ar;I
wish to visit the other ships AS he
left the New York the entire fleet fired
the presidents salute
Capt. Taylor was at the gangway when
the chief executive came aboard the In
diana, and was greeted again by twenty
one guns. The battleship, like the New
York, was also cleared for action. with
ammunition up. Capt. 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 were sighted and then the entire
mechanism of the turret was explained to
him.
From the Indiana the president was
roWed to the Brooklyn, Massachusetts
and Texas. He did not inspect these yes-
sells, but merely contented himself by
greeting the commanders of each On all
sides of these vessels the men were
drawn up along the rail and all the Of
ficers were in full dress uniform.
INSPIRING EVENTS.
The entire programme was an inspiring
one. The Texas was moored farthest
down the river, and the presidential
party had to pass each of the great YES
sells on it's return to shore. The river was
alive with craft, crowded to their utmost
capacity, and a great noise was made
AS the barge neared the flagstaff the sig
nal 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 ''Haihto the Chief. -
The barge was stopped while the salute
was being fired, and after it had ceased
the twelve brawny sailors pulled for the
shore, closing one of the most patriotic
scenes that has ever taken place on the
river.
noticeable feature of the visit to the
fleet was the presidents cordial greeting
Of the seamen on each ship. He never
once forgot the boys" and bowed to
them on boarding and leaving the shin
The party reached the hotel at $40
o'clock, and preparations for the evening
were made.
THE BIG PARADE
The presence in the city of President
Mckinley, and his drive over the route
of the Grand Army parade which was