Evening star., 1901-09-11
First Day of G. A. R. Encampment
at Cleveland.
NOTICEABLE DECREASE IN NUMBERS
Presidents Day to Be Made a
Feature Tomorrow. !.
EVANS TO BE CENsURED

in Cleveland. the beginning of the thirty
fifth annual assemblage Of the Union vet
Grams.
The hour for the start, 10 O'Clock Cleve-
land time. was announced by the firing OF
cannon by battery stationed near the
head OF the column, but the procession
was late in starting. -
The line of march was over Euclid ave-
nue. and Bond street, from the corner of
Euclid and Case avenues to the lake front,
a distance Of less than two miles. disband-
ment taking place at Summit street. The
number in line was variously estimated,
but accurate figures are not obtainable at
this hour. A member Of Potomac Depart
ment summed it up by remarking that 1t
was a fine parade, but the number OF
marchers was far below that which distin-
guished the encampment OF 1892 in WASH
ingtOn.
"Washington. '92 never more" he added,
referring to the rapidly depicting ranks OF
the veterans.
In the Reviewing Stand.
The parade was reviewed by General Leo
Rassieur,' cOmmander-in-chief, and Adju-
tant General F. M. Sterrett, past national
encanpment officers having seats On the
platform erected on the west side of Bond
street, opposite Central armoTy.
The President was ,unrepresented. in the
reviewing stand. The suggestion Of Sena~
tor Hanna was that 1t would be improper
Grand Army parade, and that the substitu-
tiOn OF Vice President Roosevelt and MEM
bers of the abinet for President Mckinley
would be out OF place under the circum-
stances.
1t was at no time certain that the Vice
President would consent to the arrange
ment, and 1t was stated that members of
the cabinet We're averse to it. Thus 1t was,
6y reason OF the horrible affair at Buffalo.
Cleveland has been deprived of the pleas
ure of entertaining the nations chief Off
cials
Presidents Day Tomorrow.
There was no day set apart in the origi-
nal program in special honor of the Presi-
dent. He was to review the parade along
with the chief, and was to
be present so long as he might be able to
attend merely as an honored guest, not in
official capacity. Now. however, 1t has
been decided to observe tomorrow as Presi-
dents day, the final arrangements there
fore having been completed last night.
The celebration will be In the nature Of q
festival. Of thanksgiving for the prospects
of the Presidents complete recovery. Sen
ator Hanna has accepted the invitation to
serve as chairman Of the day, and the affair
Is to be entirely divested of partisanship.
It will be such service, It is declared, as
citizens Of Cleveland would have provided
for If the Grand Army had not been in ses-
sion.
The exercises will take place at Central
Armory. corner Of Lake and Bond streets.
tomorrow afternoon, beginning at / o'clock.
Mayor Tom L. Johnson of Cleveland will
be one of the speakers. and Rev. DR.. Man
chester. President McKtnley,s pastor In
Canton. will participate :
Washington Veterans in Line.
Potomac Department appeared in line to-
day well up toward the head OF the col
umn. The headquarters officials were es-
corted. as usual, at the national encamp-
ment, by the Old Guard, Captain J. M.
Edgar commanding. The department fol-
lowed Vermont and preceded Virginia. 1t
made good showing, having a representa-
ton Of about 15O. w. H. Norton, .Poto-
tomac's representative in the council of the
administration. was with that body in an
other part OF the line.
Marion A. Bryan is the Maryland member
of the council.
Gen. Siclxles In the Lead.
The fight over the choice Of commander
in-chief for the ensuing year is good
natured on the surface but 1t is said to be
warm in the inner circles. The strength of
Judge Ell Torrance of Minnesota is the un-
known quantity. with General Sickles ap-
parently in the lead.
The generals friends declare he is the
choice Of the rank and fle.'' but that
some mysterious influence is at work
General Sickles, as the leader Of the fight
on Commissioner Evans, must stand or fall
with the proposition to give pension office
administration a scoring.
A significant feature of the contest de-
veloped at the meeting OF the New York
department last night. 1t was supposed
that Gen. Sickles would go into the cleo
tion with his own state nearly, solid but at
a fn
unit met with violent opposition.
The caucus continued In session until q
late hour. but was unable to settle the
question, and adjourned until this evening
when the fight will be waged to a finish
The opposition to Gen. Sickles in the dele
cation is led by Gen. John Palmer
Many other state delegations also eau
cused last night. but the members were
non-communicative as to results 1t was
known yesterday that there would be a
warm fight in New York headquarters. and
the other departments seem to be playing
waiting game.
VIII Censure Evans.
!. The committee on pensions, of which
General Sickles Is a member, was in ses-
sion nearly all Of last night The result Of
the deliberations is not certainly known,
but this morning it was said that FIVE Of
the seven members favored a scathing re-
buke to the commissioner. The other two
preferred tnat nOtnln8 De SAID In OenunCta-
tion Of pension office administration, but
were willing to compromise upon a mild
rebuke.
Commander Stone Of Potomac Depart
ment authorized the statement last night
that in his opinion the Washington dele
gates Will oppose extreme criticism Of Com
missioner Evans. Personally he deems 1t
impolitic to pass radical resolutions upon
the subject. Potomac Department, he says,
Is very nearly solid for Gen. Sickles for
commander-in-chief but opposed to open
war upon Mr.. Evans.
It was said last night that Cen Stewart
may be withdrawn from the race. He is at
present nursing broken leg, and his alb
sence handicaps his friends to q certain
extent. According to the claims" in case
he Is withdrawn, which this morning does
not seem to be probable, Judge Torrance
will be the beneficiary.
1t was also rumored that Gen. Sickles
contemplated withdrawal, but this obtained
but little credence. It Is said that Judge
Torrance was promised election In 1902 II
he would get out Of the way now, but this
lacks confirmation.
Major MoElroy Of Potomac Department
seems to have q good show Of election as
senior vice commander. His friends say he
Is winner. McElroy Il one OF three lead
ers OF the opposition to Commissioners
Evans.
\. Mr.. 8. j. Block Arrives.
Mr.. 8. ]. Block Of Washington Ii here In
the interest Of the o. p. Morton Post men,