Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-09-28
VETS WON'T PARADE
DEMAND POSITION OF HONOR IN
DEWEY PROCESSION.
GOV. ROOSEVELT IGNORED
Committee Refuses to Give Grand
Army OF Republic Position Before
Armed Division and Decision
Causes All Kinds Of Trouble-Rear
Admiral Howison Will Be Present

New York, Sept. 23.-At Fridays
meeting Of the plan and scope commit
tee OF the Dewey celebration committee
General Roe made a statement regard
ing the declination OF the Grand Army
Of the Republic to take part in the Ad-
miral Dewey land parade. He said:
AT the request Of a prominent Grand
Army man l asked General o. Q. How
ard to take command of this body, be-
ing assured this was agreeable to the
state commander. At this interview,
afer some discussion, l informed them
that the Grand Army would be as
signed a position in the lead Of the I'M
armed organizations. AT later inter-
view between the commander-in-chief
of the G. A. R., state commander, Col.
Goulden and myself, practically a de-
mand was made that the Grand Army
should head the column, Col. Goulden
stating that since the meeting Of the
day before it was found that
it was the sentiment of the
Grand Army that if it could not lead
it would not parade. Their atten-
ton was called to the fact that it was
not a Grand Army affair, but city af-
fair, and that that position was not
their proper one. l said: Positively
and absolutely the Grand Army cannot
have the head Of the column; where
upon they retired. l have the honor
to be a member Of the Grand Army
of the Republic, George Wash
ington post" The committee agreed
unanimously upon motion of Mr.. Gug-
genhemer to approve the action taken
by Gen. Roe. No mention was made
of the dispatch of Governor Roosevelt
Gen. Roe declined to give the text OF
the dispatch TO reporters. Gen. Albert
D. Shaw Friday night issued an ad-
dress to the public in which he says:
The reasons given in the letter from
Department Commander Kay, present
ed in person to Gen. Roe, embodies the
views | personally and strongly pressed
upon aim, which said the proper place
for the comrades was at the head OF
the line in question. l made this re-
states. First in Chicago, at the jubilee
parade the veterans were accorded the
right of the line and marched ahead OF
all armed troops; second, on the return
of the 10th regiment of Pennsylvania
volunteers from the Philippines the
Grand Army had the right of the line
in Pittsburg and was followed by the
president and governor and their staffs
| felt when l made the plea that prec-
edent SCI by the state of Pennsylvania
in having the veterans lead the line
President Mckinley and the governor
of the state following, was one that
might be followed by those controlling
the Dewey parade in New York"
Maj.-Gen. Roe early Friday received
a telegram from Gov. Roosevelt direct
ing him to give the G. A. R. their
choice Of any place in the parade. I'm
mediately on receiving the telegram
Gen. Roe had conference with Mayor
Van Wyck and then with Chairman
Guggenheimer. Mr.. Guggenheimer
said OF the governors action: ct is
peculiarly Rooseveltian. It is most
impudent, unjustified and unWarranted
interference in a matDer that is without
his province" The plan and scope
committee met later and took the &C
ton stated above.
Roosevelt Explains.
Utica, N Y, Sept. 23.-Regarding
the dispute as to the position to be &C
corded the Grand Army IN the Dewey
day parade at New York, Governor
Roosevelt said last night: Il have
telegraphed Gen. Roe that if the mat
ter is one purely for the city authori-
ties and in which l have no
power, then of course I with
draw my former telegram.
had understood that General Roe was
acting as major general Of the national
guard in the management Of the pa
rade, and in that event I of course had
the power to direct that the veterans
be given the right Of the line and &C
cordingly did it. If, however, as ap-
pears to be the case, it is a matter
purely for the city officials, l. Of course,
have nothing to say and no advice tc
give"
Howfson to Greet Dewey.
Washington, Sept pa message
has been received at the navy depart
ment from Rear Admiral Howison,
who is with his fleet at the Barbados,
that he will arrive at New York by the
time Dewey gets there. This will diS-
place Rear Admiral Sampson as the
chief naval officer receiving Dewey, be-
cause Howison outranks Sampson.