The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-09-08
GRAND ARMY IN CAMP
Thirty-third Gathering Opens
In Philadelphia.
LIVELY CONTEST FOR COMMANDER,
Each Candidate Claims to BE Sure
of Victory, but Colonel shaw's
Success Is Predicted-Chicag
Seeks the Next Meeting.

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 5.-With the
arrival from Cincinnati yesterday of
Acting Commander In Chief johnson
the thirty-third national encampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic was
formally begun.
Colonel johnson was accompanied by
the posts of Cincinnati and several bands
of music. The commander was met at
the Pennsylvania railroad station by a
large reception committee, headed by
General Louis Wagner, chairman of the
local executive committee, and escorted
to his headquarters at the Continental
hotel.
The campaign for commander in chief
is waxing warm. 1t is one of the iercest
contests that the G. A. Il. has been en-
gagged in for long time. There are three
candidates in the feld-Acting Com
mander In Chief w. G. Johnson of Gin
cinnati, Comrade Leo Rassieur of st.
Louis and Colonel Albert D. Shaw of
Watertown, N. Y. The friends of each
of the candidates claim that their favor
lite is already a winner A careful can
vass among the different departments,
however, indicates that Colonel Shaw
has a little the better of the contest.
That gentleman in an interview last
night said that he was absolutely sure of
victory and that the fight was all
over. Neither Colonel johnson nor Com
rade Rassieur would speak directly about
the contest, but their lieutenants express
ed greatest confidence in the outcome of
the struggle
Each of the candidates has a head
quarters in full operation and is dis
tributing badges and hanging out ban
ners to help along his campaign. The
election to the minor Offices of the Grand
Army is temporarily lost sight of, and
very little attention will be paid to those
offices until a commander in chief shall
have been chosen.
While the delegations from Ohio, Mis-
souri, and New York are battling for SUI
premacy the delegation from Illinois is
putting up a great fight for the privilege
of entertaining the Grand Army at Chi
cago next year. Every veteran of the
department of Illinois now in the city is
decorated with a large yellow ribbon on
which is inscribed in big, black letters
Chicago, 1900" The leaders of the
Chicago boom say they will win hands
down. At present they have no oppO-
nent of any consequence. 1t was report
ed that Denver, San Francisco, st. Louis
and one or two other cities are in the
field, but if those cities are they are sly
ing low" as there is no evidence on the
surface that they are in the fight.
President Mckinley and his party ar
rived here at o'clock last night after a
four hours run from Washington. The
president was accompanied by Secretary
Of War Root, Secretary of Agriculture
Wilson, Professor Schurman, president
of the Philippine commission; J. Addison
Porter, the presidents private secretary,
and Assistant Secretary G. b. CortelyOu.
Mrs. Mckinley was not with the party.
Assistant Secretary CortelyOu says her
health is very much improved but she
remained at home on the advice of her
physician.
The presidential party was met at the
Pennsylvania railroad station by Mayor
Ashbridge, General Louis Wagner, chair
man of the executive committee, and
number of other city officials.
The station was thrOnged, and cor
don of policemen was necessary to keep
the crowds back as the distinguished
visitors made their way from the train to
the carriages in waiting.
President Mckinley walked with UNI
covered head from the train shed to the
street and was cheered to the echo. He
acknowledged the ovation with many
smiles and bows.