The Mena star., 1899-09-07
THE t. A. R. REUNION.
The Thirty y-Third National Encamp-
 ment Formally Inaugurated.
TIE PARADE OF NAVAL VETERANS.
1t Aroused the Greatest Enthusiasm < Campaign for Commander-in-Chie Waxing Warm-President Me-
 Kiniey and Party Arrive.

kiniey and Party Arrive.
 Philadelphia. Sept 5.-With the ar rival from Cincinnati yesterday of Act ing Commander-in-Chi Johnson, the thirty-third national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic was formally inaugurated. A large recep- tion committed headed by Gen. Louis Wagner, met the commander at the railway station and escorted him to his headquarters. Camp James Sex ton. in Fairmount park, was formally opened at six a. m. yesterday with the firing of the national salute and the unfurling of the stars and stripes over the headquarters of Col. Maginnis, who is in charge of the camp.
 The parade of the National Associa- tion of Naval Veterans in the after noon aroused the greatest enthusiasm.
 The campaign forlcommander-in-ch is waxing warm. It is one of the fiercest contests that the G. A. k. has been engaged in for long time. Last night there were three candidates in the field--Acting Commanderin-Chic w. C. Johnson, of Cincinnati; Comrade Leo Rassieur, of St. Louis. and Col. Albert D. Shaw, of Watertown. N. Y. The friends of each of the candidates claim that their favorite is also win ner. A careful canvass among the diff ferent departments, however, indicate that Col. Shaw last night has little the best 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 Col. Johnson nor Comrade Ras- sieur would speak directly about the contest but their lieutenants express 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 fight for the privilege of entertaining tho Grand Army at Chicago next year. Every department of Illinois now in the city is decorated with q large vel low ribbon on which is inscribed in black letters Chicago. 1900"
 President Mckinley and his party arr rived at nine o'clock at night after four hours run from Washington. The president was accompanied by Secre- tarv of War Root, Secretary of Agri- culture Wilson, Prof. Schurman, presi- dent of the Philippine commission; ]. l Addison Porter. the presidents private secretary and Assistant Secretary Cortelyou. The presidential party was met at the Pennsylvania railroad sta ton by Mayor Ashbridge, Gen. Louis Wagner. chairman of the executive committee and a number of other city officials.
 The station was thronged and a cor don of policemen was necessary to keep the crowd back us the distin- guished visitors made their way from the train so the carriages in waiting.
 President Mckinley. walking with uncovered head from the train shed to the stand was cheered to the echo. He ackncw}edged the ovation with many smiles aud bows. The party was driv- en to the Hotel Walton and the presi- deat immediatelv retired to his private sitsing room. At ten o'clock members of the United German singing societies accompanied by band. arrived Tt the hotel and screnaded the president They sang three German selections and finished with the Star spangled Banner in which the multitude joined. During the rendition of the songs President Mckinley sat on the window ledge and at the conclusion of each led the applause. There were loud cries for speech. but the prcsi- dent merely bowed and waved his white Fedora hat
 ule Grand Army will be officially welcomed tonight at the Academy of Music by Gov Stone and Mayor Ash brigge. The president will attend and later will be the guest of honor Ut Il banquet rendered by Meade Post of this city. Lafayette Post. of New York, and Kingsley Post, of Boston. He will leave for Washington at li:so to- "