Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-23
them past department commanders, and
&c tn ma follows
charge Of Comrade

is, in part, as follows:
1.-THE committee in charge Of Comrade
McElroy's candidacy for commander-in-
chief are highly gratified at the generous
support he is receiving from al sectlons OF
the country. He has been growing in favor
from the time he announced as can
didate, and 1t Is confidently believed that
this growth will continue until the decisive
ballot In the encampment records ms cleo
ton, which will be in harmony with the
undoubted preference OF the rank and file
Of the order.
I'm giving him their support, therefore,
the members Of the encampment are but
recognizing his universally admitted merits
and claims. AS soldier, a comrade or
citizen he needs no eulogy or defense; In
each capacity he has shown himself equal
to the best While at Andersonville boy
less than eighteen, he Indignantly spurned
the overtures of rebel emissaries to accept
soft duty outside on parole or receive any
favors from them, but stayed inside with
his comrades. He tenderly cared for his
helpless and dying comrades in that pen Of
living death, forty-nine Of his own company
out Of sixty-three imprisoned having died
there. He became one OF the leaders In the
enforcement of extreme measures-the
hanging Of six offenders-when this became
necessary to protect the weak and defense
less prisoners against the lawless pro-
ceeding in which the weak or timid could
of necessity have had no share. Since that
day no one has had occasion to doubt where
McElroy stood on any question affecting
the issues Of the war or of the interests Of
his comrades. Others may have hesitated
at times or wavered. but not so McElroy.
These considerations, in connection with
the very great practical service he has rem
dered his comrades and the Grand Army of
the Republic, will receive the recognition
they fully merit by his election as COM
mander-in-chief."
Saratoga After 1908 Encampment.
Saratoga Springs, N. Y, is making a
strong bid for the next national encamp-
ment through the local Business Mems AS
ISOLATION. This association states 1t has
already received concessions from railroads.
and has hotel accommodation with pledges
that regular rates will not be raised. The
association also announces that its halls
for meetings of the Grand Army of the Re-
public and Its allied assoc:at tons, as well
as for regimental and corps reunions are
ample in number and size, and will be sup-
piled free of charge. All the attractions are
recited the famous springs praised, and the
historic association of the locality set forth
as follows:
Every foot of this valley of the Hudson
Is historic. A few miles east from Sara
toga and almost within sight stately
monument marks the scene of Burgoyne' $
surrender and not far from this is the field
where that strong, sure blow was struck
that made that surrender inevitable. Upon
the battlefield of BemiS Heights, and at
Old Saratoga (now SIGNIFICANTLY numerous
tablets mark the spots where the more
notable incidents Of the battle and of the
surrender took place. To those who have
seen many battlefelds when lit by the lurtd
flames of conflict these things appeal more
strongly than to others 1t Is the purpose
of the Business Mems Association to give
free excursions to these battlefields to the
delegates Of the Grand Army, the Woman's
Relief Corps and the ladies Of the G. A. R.
Mount McGregor is but eight miles from
Saratoga. 1t is here the cottage Is located
where General Grant died. This cottage re-
mains today exactly as when General Grant
last saw It, 1t is maintained by the Mount
McGregor Memorial Association, and is
kept open for visitors. A trolley road will
be constructed to the mountain during the
year, 1t is said, and this will give quick and
| easy access to this historic spot.
Notes of Committee Work.
| Foster & Reynolds Of New York have
been informed by the Commissioners that
they should make application to the COM
mittee on privileges for the G. A. r. en-
campment, for permission to place table
| in front Of the Riggs House for the purpose
| Of exposing for sale Washington guides and
| other publications. The application of this
| firm was received by the Commissioners
yesterday. and inasmuch as the regulations
| do not allow the authorities to grant such
privileges except In connection with the
| regular business transacted In the abuttinl