Evening star., 1901-09-13
TORRANCE ELECTED
Unanimously Chosen as Commander
in-Chief of G.. A. R.
GENERAL SICKLES WIFHDRAWS
Business of Cleveland Convention
Rapidly Nearing Completion.
RUMORS OF ILL FEELING

Special From q StaR Correspondent.
CLEv BLAND. Ohio. September H.
When Cleveland awoke this morning It was
confronted with the startling intelligence
that President McKinley's condition had
grown worse since o'clock the previous
evening, and that the distinguished patient
was near deaths door. Senator Hanna.
Colonel and Mrs. Herrick and Mrs. Dun
can. sister OF the President. had already
gone by rapid train to Buffalo.
The scenes about the hotels were q re-
fiux Of the general sorrow. Men who had
yesterday participated in the service OF
thanksgiving for the Presidents prospects
of recovery, and whose words OF cheer had
reinspired the already lively hope in others
that "the Presidents good luck" would
pull him through the crisis. stood dumb
with whitened faces and hands palsied with
agitation.
About 1890 telephone message was re-
ceived by Mr.. Charles A. Otis, jr, of this
city from Senator Hanna. who had reached
Buffalo The senator said he had not yet
talked to the Presidents physicians, but
that there Is hope. The news quickly
spread about the city, but on every hand
grave men shook their heads and hesitated
to believe.
Torrance Elected.
The election Of commander-in- chief Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic was accom-
plished few minutes after 1880 o'clock
this morning. The expected happened
that Is, predictions made early in the ses-
sion were verified. General Sickles with
drew from the race and Judge Ell Torrance
of Minnesota was chosen when the first
ballot was nearly concluded. Torrance be-
ing ahead by an estimated vote OF to l:
General Goebel of Pennsylvania arose and
moved that the election Of Torrance be
made unanimous.
This was greeted with great enthusiasm,
and the motion carried without dissent
ing vote. Potomac Department had voted
II for Torrance and for Stewart. Gen.
Sickles' speech of withdrawal was good
tempered and temperate. He said he had
never sought the office. but he was none
the less grateful for the support he re-
ceived.
VIII Adjourn Early.
The distressing news from Buffalo this
morning has had the effect Of smoothing
the troubled surface and has fastened ad-
journment Of the encampment. Nothing
remains to be done at this hour. 1O:45
o'clock, but to elect the remainder Of the
officers.
1t Is conceded that the critical condition
OF President Mckinley caused the encamp-
ment to simplify it's business A motion
made this morning to refer all pending
disputes and unfinished business to the
incoming council Of administration was
adopted without opposition. This carries
versy, the memorial bridge resolution. the
Denver dispute and various other matters.
The council has power to act.
District Man for Vice Commander.
Captain John McElroy Of Washington
was elected senior vice commander by ac-
clamation. His opponent, Captain J. L.
Smith Of Cleveland, was withdrawn before
ballot was taken. The other officers chosen
were:
James ODonnell Of Illinois. junior vice
commander: DR.. w. r. Thrall Of Cincin-
natl, surgeon general: Rev. L. NJ Boyle Of
Pennsylvania. chaplain-in-chef.
The encampment officers were installed
and adjournment sine die was ordered.
Denver is likely to be selected as the next
place Of meeting. The delegates promise
to furnish all required guarantees. Consid-
cradle comment was provoked by remark
by Gen. Sickles as he passed from the floor
Of the encampment on his way to his hotel
today. He informed the reporters that he
had grave doubts whether or not the Pres
idcnt's condition Is as serious as reports
indicate.
He seems to regard the circulation of
the news as a part Of a scheme" This
sentiment Is accepted as an index of the bit
terness engendered by the strife incident
to the encampment campaign. Coming
upon the heels of his moderate speech when
he retired from the conflict, the language
occasions great surprise. Z. M. 3.
Three Important Matters.
There have been three issues of magni-
tude before the encampment. The election
Of commander-in-chief the pension office
administration and the failure Of Denver,
Col. to get the encampment this year. The
latter question was precipitated by the
commander-in-chief, who entered into the
details at great length in his annual ad-
dress. It is stated that a condition made
at the time Denver was selected as the
place Of meeting was that the local COM
mittee should secure rate OF one cent
per mile over all railroads. The committee
secured this rate over but three roads. as
stated by Gen. Rassieur, and in conse-
quence Cleveland was selected. The Den
yer people challenged the accuracy of the
commander-in-chfef's resume OF the situa-
tion, and there was bitter personal war
Of words last night at the national head
quarters over the matter.
The prediction that Gen. Sickles would
indulge in some shrewd tactics in the en-
campment yesterday proved to be correct.
His appearance in the hall was treated by
vociferous applause, and partook largely
Of the spectacular, although his friends
say it was none OF his designing. Later
when he made his address in support of his
resolution demanding the removal Of Com
missioner Evans he. again had the call.
HIS speech was D1tIer ana sarcastic, Dut ne
talked too long. A friend of his passed the
word along, with the expectation that it
would reach him, that he should bring his
remarks to q close
The encampment adjourned for the day,
however, with Sickles holding the floor.
He resumed his remarks this morning.
Sample Of Radical Resolutions.
Lieut.. Col. Lindsay of Delaware Ohio, is
the author OF series OF resolutions de-
manding a service pension for all Union
veterans sixty years of age and over: that
the lump sum of $500 OOOO 900 shall be al
ways available for the payment OF pen
sions: that Ohio members Of Congress be
instructed, under penalty OF defeat. to vote
for the service pensions: that all widows
of Union soldiers married prior to 1866
shall be penSioned at q uniform rate Of
$50 per month, and that Ohio members OF
Congress be required, under pain Of de-
feat at the polls to demand the 'imme-
dfate and unconditional removal OF the
commissioner OF pensions and the appoint
ment OF a Union soldier from q northern
state to succeed him." This is given as q
sample OF the radical measures which
some members favor. It did not occur to
Col Lindsay evidently that the national
encampment would hardly single out Ohio
members Of Congress for punishment for
Ms Sohedience of orders There ara other