The record-union., 1899-09-06

| the Chief Executive remain here until
Friday to review the naval parade and
visit the squadron. but the Presidents
desire to return to Washington tonight
caused a Encouragement in the pro-
gram.
The visit of the President to the
squadron proved to be the greatest
marine spectacle ever seen here. 1t
was the intention to have Mr.. Mckinley
visit only the New York but he grew
so enthusiastic over the great fighters
that he visited the flagship New York,
cruiser Brooklyn and the battle ships
Indiana, Massachusetts and Texas.
There was almost a continuous roar
of guns during the one and three-quar-
ters hours that it took to inspect the
vessels. In all 462 guns were fired by
the squadron in Presidential salutes.
There was a great crowd at Chest
nut-street wharf when the President
boarded the Rear AdmiraPs pulling
barge, manned by twelve bronzed sail
ors from the New York. Signals had
been run up on the flagship to "clear
ship for action and prepare for acti1azse
and prepare to receive the President.
Rear Admiral Sampson, Captains
Chadwick, Taylor. Sigsbee, Jewell,
| rain anu 11eIlDuln anu Their I6SpSG-
tive staffs, who had viewed the grand
army parade, had returned to their
ships, and everything was hustle on
the six big vessels The decks of all
of them were soon stripped of every
movable article.
It was 4:15 o'clock when the Presi-
dent boarded the barge. He was ac-
companied by Secretary of War Root,
O. 7
tenant Commander Winslow, Mayor
Ashbridge, United States Senator Sc
wall, Director of Public Works Had
book and Director of Public Safety
English Every vessel in the harbor
propelled by steam let its whistle go.
and this. with the cheers of the crowds
on shore, made a deafening noise.
The return Of the President to the
shore was an inspiring one. The Texas
was moored furthest up the river and
the Presidential party had to pass each
of the great vessels on it's return to
shore. The river was alive with craft
crowded to their utmost capacity, and
a great noise was being made. AS the
barge neared the flagship the signal
was given to salute. and the six big
ships again belched forth a terrific sa
ships stood at attention, and the bands
added to the din by again playing
Hail to 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 pa
triotic scenes that has ever taken place
on the river.
TaIT fyoln -0I fn "a 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 of the men on each ship. He
never once forgot the boys" and
bowed to them upon boarding and leav-
ing the ships.
The party reached the hotel at 6:30,
and preparations for the evening were
made.
The fight for Commander-in-Ch Chief
continues, and each candidate still
feels sure that he will land a winner.
Colonel Albert D. Shaw of Watertown,
Leo Rassieur of st. Louis good sec
ond.
The contest among the cities for the
holding of the next years encamp-
ment has narrowed down to Chicago
and Salt Lake City. 1t is practically
conceded that Chicago will be the Win
ner
The actual business of the encamp-
| will at
Grand Opera House About Ids dele
gates will have seats in the encamp-
ment. which will last two days.
The Committee on Pensions met to-
day and completed the report around
which the debate of the sessions is
likely to center. 1t is said that while
the committee will suggest certain
changes in laws that now seem to be
equivocal, and will cite instances of
hardship that have come as a result
of the Interpretation of the law, it
will not join in the denunciation of
Pension Commissioner H. Clay Evans.
Enthusiasm was rampant tonight.
Wherever President Mckinley appear
ed he received a tremendous ovation,
particularly at the Academy of Music,
where the Grand Army was officially
welcomed to the city and State by
Mayor Ashbridge and Governor Stone.
The President was introduced as
"Comrade" Mckinley. He said:
''It has given me great pleasure to
associate with you to-day / have
been deeply touched by many of the
scenes which all of us have witnessed.
With the joyous side Of the glad re-
union Of old comrades who fought side
by side in a common cause and for a
common country, there was the other
sad side, that so many of our comrades
who two years ago had marched proud
ly with you through the city of Buffalo
are no longer in the ranks. The circle
is narrowing. AS years roll on one
after another is not present at our
reunions, but accounted for. They
have gone to join the great majority
of our comrades, who sleep tonight be-
meath the low green tent whose cur
tains never outward sway
But with it all, my comrades, I
could not but inquire, as l witnessed
the vast procession of old veterans and
heard the plaudits of the people, I
could not but ask the questions: What
has endeared this vast army to the
American people? What enshrined you
in, their hearts? What has given you
a permanent, unperishable place in
history?'