The Washington times., 1901-08-03
THE PRESIDENT TO ATTEND.
To he Present mt the G. a. II. En-.
caInpment in Cleveland.


CLEVELAND, Ohio, Aug 2-The pres
ence Of the President of the United States
at the thirty-fifth national encampment
of the Grand Army is assured. Gen.
George a. Garretson, Chairman, and Sam
uel Mather, a member of the Grand Army
Encampment Committee on Invitations;
Ryorson Ritchie, director of the encamp-
ment. and E. w. Doty, secretary of the
committee. on Wednesday went to Can
ton and called on President Mckinley.
General Garretson handed the President
an invitation engraved in old English
lettering on sheepskin parchment, ad
dressed TO the President" and reading:
ION behalf OF the city of Cleveland and
the Department of Ohio, the honor of
your presence is requested at the thirty
fifth national encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic, September to II.
nineteen hundred and one" In the
upper left hand corner of the in
vitation, artistically grouped. are rep
resentations OF the shaft of the Cuya-
hoga County Soldiers and Sailors Monu-
ment. the United States flag, and the en-
blem of the Grand Army. while in the
right hand lower corner is picture of
the BADGE TO be worn by delegates to the
Grand Army encampment- The emblem
ors.
The meeting between the President and
his visitors, all of whom are his old ac-
quaintances and friends, was marked with
extreme cordiality and Informal conver-
sation concerning the great event to be
held IN the city. The Executive
said positively that he would be
present at the encampment on Tues
day. Wednesday, and Thursday of en-
campment week The assurance is thor
oughiy gratifying, not only TO those who
are engaged in the work of making ready
for the encampment, but TO the people
of the entire city. Z
The President has for years lived With
in a Journey of an hour or two of CleVe-
land and until he became President he
visited the city frequently. so that his
figure was a most familiar one upon the
streets of the city. He has made, in
former years, many campaign speeches
in Cleveland in support of Republican
leaders for the Presidency and other high
places. Hundreds of Cleveland persons
of all political parties and in every walk
of life are his personal friends and his
presence is an essential to the complete
ness of the encampment.
Chairman George A Garretson, of the
Committee on Invitations, who was the
spokesman of the party which rendered
the formal invitation, said: Il was thor,
oughly pleased with our trip to Cantons
] never SAW the President look better.
His step was springing, his form erect,
and his eye bright. He did not look the
least like man wearied or nervous IN
der stress of public business
President Mckinley said positively
that he would be in Cleveland the week
of the encamDment on Tuesday, We'd
nesday. and Thursday. He seemed high
ly pleased with the prospect Of attending.
1t will be an added pleasure for the old
soldiers and the people generally and
do not doubt that many who would other
wise leave the city day sooner will re-
main another twenty-fc1T hours for the
purpose of attending the Presidential re
ception
Samuel Mather. another member Of the
Committee on Invitations, said: Our trip
was uncventful but as charmingly pleas
ant as can be imagined. / never saw
President Mckinley look so well. He said
he could not feel in better condition. Mrs.
Mckinley drives out daily, and. as her
husband expressed IL. she looks young
again. Not only did the President say he
would attend the encampment but he
- seemed to derive the utmost pleasure in
Participating 1t.
He said that the encampment Of the
and Army was the most interesting and
kgnost important in his Judgment Of
tmerican gatherings and he told me
bually that If / had never been
on an occasion OF the kind ] had
pleasure in store for future enjoy
less is being made in all lines of
Fation, especially those of decora-
Concerning which latter public an
cement will in all probability be made
Few days.