The Washington times., 1902-10-08
SUPREME COURT TO MEET POLITICAL SIDE OF GA. R
Four Candidates for Com
mander-ln-Chief.
CONTEST FOR NEXT MEETING
Pittsburg Enters the Race and Makes
a Strong Bid-List Rap
idly Increases.

With the encampment successfully be-
gun and well under way, the main in
terest of the visiting veterans, next to
the great parade which will take place
tions-the election of a new commander
in chief to succeed Gen. Ell Torrance
and the selection of the place of meet
ing of the next annual reunion.
| On both of these propositions the
membership of the G.. A. r. is divided,
and just as there are many cities eager
ly putting forward their claims for the
consideration of delegates TO the encamp-
ment, so there are many candidates for
the highest post of honor which the sol
der order can bestow upon one of it's
members.
Now that the men have come together
| in reunion the two questions are en-
gaging their attention, and considerable
speculation is being INDUCED in.
| Wherever two or more of the boys in
blue congregate, at that place is sure
to be Immediately inaugurated a rnina-
1
ter are promptly discussed pro and con.
The indications are that a hard fight
| will be waged in the convention tomor-
row on the settlement of both the cleo
ton and the selection of the next place
| of meeting. The successor to General
Torrance will not be elected without a
contest, while it is expected by the
veterans that there will be considerable
difference of opinion manifested when it
comes to choosing a successor to Wash
| ington.
Four Men Are Mentioned.
| So far there are four candidates for
the Office of commander in chief. One is
a District of Columbia man, and has the
support of the local organization. Col
John l.. McElroy. senior vice command
er of the G. A. R.. and past commander
of the Department of the Potomac, is
regarded as strong candidate. His
war record is good, he is an ex prisoner,
and has been a hard worker IN the or
der. He is prominent in the local or
ganization.
Gen. Daniel E. Sickles. OF New York, a
veteran in the best sense of the word.
| Is a strong factor in the game of cleo
| tioneering to be played tomorrow. The
other two candidates prominently men
| toned are Gen. John G. Black, of ILL.,
i,ois, and Gen. Thomas ]. Stewart, of
Pennsylvania, now adjutant general OF
I he Pennsylvania National Guard. Cen
oral Black was Commissioner of Pen
sions during President Cleveland's first
| term. He is Democrat, while the 9th
er three candidates are Republicans.
A caucus OF the Pennsylvania deIega
ten was held at the Metezerott building
last night General Stewart was agreed
upon as the unanimous choice for com
niander in chief. The announcement
vas made thai sufficient number of
State delegations have declared for
Stewart to assure his election by a me-
jority of sixty General Stewart re-
turned to Washington from Harrisburg
yesterday morning and will remain here
during the rest of the encampment. His
campaign is being managed by R. P.
Scott, commander of the department Of
Pennsylvania.
Bright for General Stewart.
The objection urged by the opponents
CT General Stewart is his war record.
General Stewart served in the Federal
army only month or two, and saw TO
service outside his State. AT the same
time his friends, while they admit this.
Ill f,, 4
r., and on this score he is regarded as
being deserving Of special recognition.
He has been one of the hardest workers
in the organization of veterans and has
thousands of friends in the order. OF
all the candidates he is the one most
likely to meet the approval OF the ma
iority of delegates. The present indica-
lions are that he will be chosen to sue
coed General Torrance.
OF all the candidates Colonel McElroy,
of this city, is better able physically TO
undertake the hard work incident to the
position.
Pittsburg Enters Race.
Many cities are making strenuous
efforts 10 secure Ine next tuCGiiPlitu|'
The latest to enter the field is Pitts
burg, which put in its claim yesterday
and Immediately began to push 1t with
vigor This city is regarded as having
a strong card. 1t has offered many in
ducements. 1t is centrally located, AMI
will no doubt have many friends in the
convention tomorrow and on Friday.
San Francisco is also working hard,
but the opinion prevails that it is 700
far west. A trip to San Francisco, it is
pointed out. is too expensive for the ma
iority of veterans. The Golden Gate city
however, wants the convention, and is
willing TO offer entertainment of an at
tractive character which will insure ner
request being accorded most respect |
full hearing.
The younger veterans in the order,
those able to stand the fatiguing trip |
across the continent. consider that they |
owe obligations to the older and more |
feeble men. and San Francisco will prob |
ably have to wait.
Louisville also wants the convention
again. and her business men have made |
y hid for the big event of 1903 The |