The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-05
'VETERANSOFT AR
President Mckinley Visits Phila-
delphia to View the Parade.
THE CONTEST FOB COMMANDER.

of johnson and Rassieur Think Not.
Philadelphia, Sept. 5.-Amidst scenes
which beggar description, and the
like Of which the present genera
ton of Philadelphtans cannot recall,
the thirty-third annual encampment
of the Grand Army Of the Republic
was formally opened yesterday, The
leading event Of yesterdays program
was the parade of the naval veterans
and the crews Of the North Atlantic
fleet, now In harbor here. Broad,
Chestnut and Market streets along the
line of march were packed with peo-
pie. 1t was revelation to many of the
onlookers to see the sailors and ma
rines who distinguished themselves
last year. Visitors from inland towns
had never had an opportunity to re-
view the heroes of whom they had
read SO much until yesterday. From
their oft printed photographs the three
rear admirals. Casey, Sampson and
Melville, were easily recognized as they
passed in carriages, and they were
loudly cheered.
President Mckinley and his party
arrived here at O'Clock last night
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 secre-
tary, 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 Wag-
ner, chairman Of the executive COM
mittee, and a number of other city
officials. The station was thronged,
and Gordon of policemen was neces-
sary to keep the crowds back as the
distinguished visitors made their way
from the train to the carriages in wait
ing. President Mckinley walked with
uncovered head from the train shed to
the street. and was cheered to the
echo. The party was driven rapidly
to the Hotel Walton, and the presi-
dent Immediately retired 10 his private
sitting room.
AT 10 o'clock members of the Uni
ted German Singing societies, ac-
companied by band, arrived at the
hotel and serenaded the president.
They sang three German selections
and finished with the Star Spangled
Banner" in which the multitude join
ed During the rendition of the songs
President Mckinley sat on the win
dow ledge, and at the conclusion of
each led the applause.
The president retired about II
o'clock. This morning at S:45 o'clock
he received Admiral Sampson and the
captains of the fleet. Later he rode
over the route Of the Grand Army pa
rade to the reviewing stand on the
city hall plaza. After the parade he
was entertained at lunch in the city
hall.
The Grand Army will be officially
welcomed tonight at the Academy of
Music by Governor Stone and Mayor
Ashbridge. The presj lent will alIend,
and later will be the guest OF honor at
banquet rendered by Meade Post, of
this city, Lafayette Post, of New
York, and Kingsley Post, of Boston
He will leave for Washington at II: 80
tonight.
The campaign for commander-in-
chief is waxing warm. 1t is one of the
fercest contests that the G. A. r. has
been engaged in for long time. There
are now three candidates in the field
Acting Commander-in-Ch W. C.
Johnson OF Cincinnati. Comrade Leo
Rassieur OF st. Louis and Colonel AL
bert d. Shaw Of Watertown, N. Y. The
friends OF each of the candidates claim
that their favorite is already winner.
A careful canvass among the different
departments, however, indicates that
Colonel Shaw today has a little the
| better OF the contest. That gentle
man in an interview last night said
! that he was absolutely sure of victory,
and said that the fight was all over.
Neither Colonel Johnson nor Comrade
Rassieur would speak directly about
I the contest, but their lieutenants ex-
| press the greatest confidence in the
outcome of the struggle.
While the delegations from Ohio,
Missouri and New York are battling
for supremacy the delegation from
Illinois is putting up great fsht for
| the privilege OF entertaining the Grand
| Army at Chicago next year. Every
veteran of the department of Illinois
now in the city is decorated with q
large yellow ribbon, on which is in
scribed in big black letters Chicago
1900" The leaders of the Chicago boom