The evening times., 1899-09-09
DEFENDERS OF THE FLAG
Soldiers of the Late War Effect an
Organization Today.
William Jennings Bryan is Elected
Inv AccIamation Member of the
Council of Administration-sou
erners Praise the Black Warriors.
Honors for Miss Helen Gould.

The Spanish War Veterans Association
which was organized yesterday at the Ma
tional Guard Armory, began proceedings
this morning by calling on President Nc
Kinley at the Executive Mansion The vet
Grams to the number of fifty assembled at
the Ebbitt House at $3.50 and at 10 o'clock
with J. Warren Keifer commander-in-
chief, marched to the White House. The
reception took place in the East Room, the
veterans in line passing the President,
each being given a hearty handshake. A
number Of other visitors who happened TO
be present at the time were also received
by the President. After the handshaking
the President made few remarks, saying:
Il have already announced in official or
ders and proclamations the great appre-
citation the country has for the great self
sacrifice you men made in fighting for your
country and ] want to say here that no
one has greater appreciation of your SER
vice than / have. l thank you personally
for the part you played in the war. l am
very glad TO have met you
Upon the opening of the convention at
the Armory at 1870 O'Clock, Chairman
Keifer called for nominations for the
council of administration an1 the meeting
turned into a love feast, speeches eIio-
gizing the candidates being made by ev-
eryone who could get the floor. Col.
James H. Till, of South Carolina, in a
fiery speech nominated William Jennings
Bryan. and name of Bryan was greete1
and h.a zasaS ira ted by
9cclimation.
Capt Charles II. Speckman, of the Sec
ond Pennsylvania Volunteers, nominated
Lieut. Hamilton H. Blunt, of Louisiana, a
member of the Ninth Immun,s. cololei. in
a very flowery speech. Blunt's nomina-
lion was seconded by Colonel Tillman, OF
South Carolina, and Capt F. ". Cole. OF
Florida, in speeches in which the bravery
of the colored men at Santiago was prais-
ed, and Lieutenant Blunt was unanimo IS
ly elected. Lieutenant Blunt is the on y
colored man attending the convention.
After the unanimous election OF Bryan
and Blunt the preparation Of bal.o.s be-
gan, and the election resulted as follows:
william Jennings Bryan, of Nebraska; !;
Hamilton II. Blunt, CT Louisiana; Henry ID.
Green, of Pennsylvania; II. b. Delaigne,
Kentucky; George HaIries District of Co
lumbia; Robert p. Wallace Montana;
Henry A. Axline. Ohio; d. Reingold, New
York; William c. Oates, Alabama; ]. E.
Webster, Florida; Curtis Guild. ir., Dis
trict of Columbia; C. l. Boyntou, Michi-
gan.
A vote of thanks was next rendered TO
the District of Columbia for entertaining
the convention. Colonel Tillman, Of South
Carolina, in a fowery speech eulogized
Miss Helen Gould and moved that she be
made sponsor of the veterans. The motion
carried by acclamation. Then followed 4
number Of speeches in praise of Miss Clara
Barton, Miss Wheeler, and other nurses
and matr0nS.
The question of where the convention
will be held in 1900 attracted good deal OF
attention. 1t was referred to the council
Of administration.
President Mckinley was made on hon
orary member of the organization. A col
lection was taken UP TO pay the expenses
of the convention, which amounted to five
or six dollars. The convention then ad-
journed to meet at the call Of the council
of administration.