The National tribune., 1902-10-02

Washington Times:
One Of the most interesting features of
the coming G. A. X. Encampment is the
four-cOmered, goed-natured fight for Com
mander-in-C Chief to succeed Gen. Ell Tor
rance, of Minneapolis, and the five-sided
contest among cities for the next annual
meeting of veterans. The candidates for
Commander-in-Chief are j: Gen. John G..
Black, of Chicago; Gen. Daniel e. Sickles,
of New York; Col. John McElroy, Of
Washington, and Gen. Thomas J. Stewart,
of Norristown, Pa.
| The cities which aspire to entertain the
next Annual Encampment are: San Fran
cisco, Saratoga Springs, Atlantic City,
Pittsburg, and Los Angeles.
| Not in several years has there been so
much uncertainty regarding the election
of a Commander-in-Ch Chief. This year four
good men are up. Each has host of
| friends and each feels confident of the
election. The issues are fairly joined, and
| it will be a pretty, open contest. A good
man is sure to be chosen.
For the past few weeks the friends Of
each candidate have been active in push
ing the campaign of their favorite. The
organization has been pretty well sounded
and it is believed the forces are lined up
| extensively for one or another of the can
didates There is absolutely no method by
which the result of the contest can be
foretod. The candidates themselves agree
that it will be close, and while they ap-
pear confident Of success, are making no
great beasts.
GEN. BLACKS CLAIMS.
Gen. Black, of Chicago. is pretty GER
tain, it seems, to be somewhere near the
top of the list when the first ballot is
taken. He has the solid Illinois cOntin-
gent back of him, and this is force not
to be disregarded. The State has $50
52 votes in the Encampment. 1t is un-
derstood the Illinois veterans are coming
here with broad front to fight for Black
and nothing else.
The grounds upon which Gen. Black
bases his claims to the Office of Com
mander-in-Chief are that he is popular
Western man, that his military service
entities him to recognition, and that as
an orator, executive and legal head OF the
G. A. r. he will bring honor and influence
to that organization.
Gen. Black entered the army as Cap
tain in the 9th Ill. Inf. in 1861 and served
throughout the war. He was made a
Colonel and brevetted Brigadier for
efficient service and for gallantry in the
ASSAULT Uu II Dluhtiy At A1ouhc. ucu.
Black was wounded in both arms.
In politics he has had n notable career.
He was Commissioner Of Pensions under
Cleveland during the latter's first term
as President, and served one term in the
National House as Representative-at-large
from Illinois. During Cleveland's second
term Gen. Black was United States At
torney for the Northern District Of Illinois.
He is a lawyer by profession. having prac-
ticed in Chicago ever since the war.
Although there is, theoretically, no
politics or religion in the &. A. R., the
fact that Gen. Black is Democrat will
both help and injure his chances Of VIM
ming the election as Commander-in-C Chief.
His friends make the claim that he should
be chosen simply because he is a Demo
crat-there never having been Demo
crat Commander-in-Chief. His opponents,
it is expected, will argue. at least quietly,
that he should not be chosen because he
is Democrat. Gen. Black has served the
G. A. Il. as Commander Of the Depart
ment of Illinois, which position he held
in 1898.
GEN. sICKLEs's RECORD.
Another strong candidate for Command
erin Chief is Maj Gen. Daniel e. Sickles,
Of New York City. Gen. Sickles has oc
cupied prominent position before the
public for the past half century, having
been brilliant and notable member of
the National House before the war. Gen.
Sickles was candidate for the Command
ership honors at Cleveland last year, but
retired from the contest in favor Of Gen.
Torrance. He bases his candidacy on his
high military rank-he is today the rank
ing Major-General Of the army, taking
into consideration both the active and re-
tired list; upon his wide acquaintance with
the influential members of the G. A. r.;
upon his ability as an orator and his
strong backing in New York.
The Empire State has 591 Posts, 10000
members and 67 votes in the Encampment.
Unlike Illinois, however, New York will
date, even Gen. Sickles. Its veterans are
so numerous there is always division of
sentiment on all big questions affecting
the organization, and in addition to this
the State has a city seeking the next En-
campment.
known to discuss. He was one Of the
foremost, bravest and most efficient Cen
erals the North possessed, and his serv-
ices were eQualed by but few IL any of
his contemporary officers. Gen. Sickles
entered the army as Brigadier from New
York, in command Of Excelsior Brigade.
He later became Commander of the Third
Corps, and is now one Of seven Corps
Commanders living. He lost leg at the
hip at Gettysburg.
Among the important political posts oc-
cupied by Gen. Sickles was that Of United
States Minister to Spain. He was COM
mander Of the Department Of New York,
G. A. R., in 1868.
DIsTRIcT'e CANDIDATE.
The present Senior Vice Commander of
the G.. A. r., Col. John McElroy, who |
lives right here In Washington and edits |
The National Tribune, is as formidable q |
candidate today as either Gen. Black or