The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-09-26
Dewey Committee Won't Let G. A R.
Leld Parade.

Army of the Republic the choice Of any
place in the land parade. But he got a
setback.
The Gov. must have sent the tele-
gram under misapprehension. Gen.
Roe is not acting in this instance in
his capacity as ma general command
ing the State militia, but as chairman
Of the sub. committee on land parade of
the Dewey celebration committed
Gen. Roe had conference with
Mayor Van Wyck and then with Chair
man Guggenheimer Of the plan and
scope committee, in charge of the pa
rade. After pointing out that his COM
mittee alone had the right TO assign
places in the line Of march, Mr.. Gug-
genheimer said of the Governors &C
tiOn
1t is peculiarly Rooseveltian. This
is inpudent. unjustlfied and unwar-
ranted interference in matter that Is
without his province DO not believe
that our committee Will take any notice
Of II -
The committee decided to sustain
Gen. Roe in his declination to allow
the Grand Army men to take the head
of the column. Gen. Roe made the
following statement
In order that there may be no mis-
understanding, | wish to speak in ref
erence to the declination Of the Grand
Army TO take part in the Dewey land
parade On my representation, at my
lnstigation and on my resolution l was
authorized by this committee to extend
an invitation 20 the Grand Army to
take part in the parade by having a
certain number Of men selected from
each post, forming battalion or regi'
ment, according to the number. / put
myself in communication with the
State commander as soon rs possible.
Upon the request Of a prominent
Grand Army man wrote and asked
Gen o. .. Howard to take command
Of this body, being assured that TINS
was agreeable - the State commander
At an interview between the State COM
mander, several members Of the Grand
Army and myself, | understood that
the selection Of Gen. Howard was
agreeable. At this same interview, af-
ter some discussion, | informed them
that the Grand Army would be assign
ed a p jsition % the lead Of the unarm-
ed organizations.
NOT A GRAND ARMY AFFAIR"
LAT later interview between the
commander in chief Of the Grand Army,
the State commander and myself, " con-
tinutd Gen. Roe, practically de-
mand was made that the Grand Army
should have the right Of the line or
head Of the column. Col. Goulden
stated that at meeting held day be-
fore It was the sentiment Of the Grand
Army men that If they could not have
the lead they would not parade.
Il called their attention 10 the fact
that it was not a Grand Army affair,
that it was city affair. and that their
position was not the proper one. 1
said positively and absolutely the
Grand Army cannot have the head OF
the column. At this they retired.
"At another interview the command
erin chief, with the State commander
present, stated that he thought Gen.
Howard should not command the Grand
Army. | informed him that Gen.
Howard had been asked at the request
OF several Grand Army men, but
would write aud ask him to withdraw.
The comm ander-in chief then said
THAT is a simple matter. and can easily
be arranged. He then asked II l
would allow picked body OF 800
Grand Army men and himself to have
the head of the column. l answered
81 positively and absolutely Will
not authorize any portion Of the Grand
Amy TO be at the head Of the column.
subsequently, received the letter
Of declination. The day is emphati'
cslly a navy day. and Admiral Dewey
and the sailors Of the Olympia should
be in the lead with nothing to detract.
assume all responsibility. have the
honor to be member Of the Grand
Army. George Washington Post.
General Shaw, commander-in'chief
of the Grand Army, has issued an adj
dress to the public in which he says
the organization wanted the head OF
the line because it was accorded this
10 the recent great parades in Chicago
and Pittsburg.
All arrangements for the sailors
smoker at the Waldrof- Astoria are COM
pleted. The guests will include 1000
men Of the Olympia aud other warships
in the harbor. Admiral Dewey, Rear
Admirals Sampson and Schley, other
officers of the ships and the guests OF
the city will occupy the boxes around
the ballroom, where the smoker is
held
ROOSEVELT RECONSTRUCTED.
Regarding the dispute as to the posi-
ton TO be accorded the Grand Army OF
the Republic in the Dewey parade at
| New York, Gov. Roosevelt said
Il have telegraphed Gen. Roe that
il the case is one purely for the city
authorities and in which / have no
power, then, OF course ] withdraw my
former telegram.
Il had understood that Gen. Roe was
acting as general Of the National
n.a-a - tha man aoamant nf the ma