The San Francisco call., 1899-09-08

The election of a commander-ln-
chief, which it was supposed would ne
settled only after a warm contest, was
conducted and carried out in the most
peaceable manner imaginable. Colonel
Albert D. Shaw of Watertown, N u
was unanimously elected to the hlghest
office of the organization, after Judge
Leo Rassieu of St Louis had declined
to be a candidate Other officers elected
were: Irvine Robbins of indianapolis,
senior vice commander in chief; II. M
Minton of Louisville, KY, Junior vice
commander; William II. Baker OF
Lynn. Mass. surgeon general; JACOB
H. Grimm of Maryland, chaplain-ln-
chief
Early in the campaign there were
three candidates for commander-1n-
chief w. c. Johnson of Cincinnati
who was acting chief
was first mentioned. and the names OF
Colonel Shaw and Judge Rassieur
later became prominent. Johnson s
boom was ended yesterday with his
election to the office for the unexpired
term of the late commander. Sexton,
lasting two days. This rendered him
ineligible to candidacy for another
term, and with the election of Colonel
Shaw he becomes a past commander
in-chief.
Aside from the selection of COM
mander-in-c chief the pension question
received the major portion of attention.
Resolutions were adopted that rule 225,
now in practice, was hardship IN that
1t required proof of identity and injury.
which many soldiers could not fur
nish and asking that the President
re-establish rule 1914, which is not so
stringent in it's requirements. Inc
resolutions also deplored the practice IN
the pension bureau which bars WIDOWS
who have an income or $50 year, dhu
asks that the limitation De lhcledSeu
to $3.50 a year.
Pursuant of the resolutions q COM
mittee of five was appointed to seek
relief from the administrative ofhcers,
and failing there, to ask Congress to
amend the law in favor of the veterans
Chicago secured the next encamp-
ment and it is expected mat Judge
Rassieur will then be elected conmah-
der-in-chief.
The features of to-day's celebration
were the illumination of the North
Atlantic squadron and the camp fire OF
the Union eX-prisoners or war, potn OIL
which occurred tonight. The lighting
I'D Of the fleet drew large croWds TO
both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey
shores. of the Delaware River Inc
ships were literally covered with elec-
tric lights and presented a magnificent
picture. The big searchlights on the
vessels were also In operation, making
the illumination more effectlVe. Inc
cruiser Detroit received consideraple
attention from the crowd by reason OF
the order sending her to Venezueia TO
protect American interests tnere.
The Academy of Music was crowded
to the doors tonight by Grand Army
men and their friends to take part IN
the ex-prisoners' campfire. Addresses
were made by Governor Stone or Penn
sylvania. Mayor Ashbridge OF this city,
Ex-Governor Robert e. Pattlson. Lieu
tenant Colonel James e. Barnett OF the
Tenth Pennsylvania Reglment' IeneIa al
John c. Black of Illinois. United states
senator Penrose' and a number of
others.
There were numerous reunions held.
and the Illumination of the avenue or
Fame" and the fireworks display at
Camp James A. Sexton were continued
tonight.
Rear Admiral Sampson attended the
convention of Naval Veterans or the
United States. The delegates discussed
q plan for the erection Of a monument
to the memory of Past Rear Admiral
J. II. Dahlgren. A committee was ap-
pointed to solicit subscriptions for the
memorial Officers were elected as fol-
lows:
Commodore commanding. George l.:
Seavy, Chicago; fleet captain and chief
of staff. l. B. Baker. Boston: command
er, J. A Miller, Athens, Ohio: lieuten-
ant commander, ]. o. Shaw. Maine:
lieutenant, Samuel B. Dixon. Detroit:
master, c. L. Weldon. MASSACHUSETTS,;
ensign, ]. H. Barry, Philadelphia; sur
geon, J. L. Crilley, Ohio: paymaster.
c. F. Dustin, Rhode Island: chaplain.
A. S. McWilliams. Detroit; judge advo-
cate, G. F. Gooding. Chicago.
The convention adjourned to meet
with the G.. A r. at Chicago in ls00