The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-25
Convention and Reunion to BE Held
Sept. b. % apd "a. Probably
in StatehOuse.
PRESIDENT WILL BE HERE
MEETING WILL ARRANGE DETAILS
OF HIS RECEPTION.
May Address Veterans i'm TOmIinsOn
Hall and the Public i'm
City Park.


appointed to arrange for the entertain
ment of those who will attend the conven-
ton and reunion of the Spanish-American
war veterans, to be held in this city next
month, will be held at the Commercial Club
tonight. Col. Russell B. Harrison is chair
man of the committee. The members rep
resent the two local organizations, Gen.
John S. Poland Camp, No. Z, and Frank
s. Clark Camp, No. &c. In the country
there are two organiza tons of men who
served in the last war. One is the or
ganization known as the Spanish-American
War Veterans, which has the forthcoming
convention in charge, and the other is
known as Spanish War Veterans.
AT the meeting tonight plans will be laid
so that the work of arranging the details
of the event begin in earnest. The
dates for the convention and reunion are
Sept. p, %, "A and perhaps Sept. Is. This
will be the third annual convention of the
Spanish-American war veterans. The first
one was held at Chattanooga, and the
second one took place at Buffalo. 1t has
not been definitely decided where the bust
ness sessions of the indianapolis conven-
ton Will be held, but it is thought one of
the legislative chambers at the Statehouse
be secured.
One Of the features of the convention
will be the presence of President Roosevelt
on Sept. %. 1t is expected that the Presi-
dent will arrive here about s o'clock that
morning and will remain in the city until
about IL. 1t is the arrangement for him
to address the veterans and he will perhaps
make another address to the public gen.
orally. His talk to the veterans will likely
be made in Tomlinson hall One of the
city parks may be secured for the other
address. THE President is coming TO In
dlanapolls Durposely to attend this con-
Venuon, said Colonel Harrison last night,
ana ms coming is to be made an abso-
lutely nonpartisan event. We hope the
whole people, without regard to politics,
religion, race or color will help us to well
come and entertain him and the thousands
OF other visitors who will be in the city on
this occasion.
Colonel Harrison thinks the convention
will be largely attended. Notwithstanding
the fact that the organization is chiefly
composed OF young men who in clerical
positions where it will be difficult for them
TO get away Arrangements have been
made with the Central Passenger Associa-
ton for rate of ! cent mile within a
radius of one hundred miles of Indiana polls
A general rate of one fare for the round trip
has been made from all parts of the coun-
try. The active work of preparing for the
convention by the local people has been
held back, Colonel Harrison says, until in
strucuons as to certain details could be OBJ
tanned from the commandment -chief The
commander is General ]. b. Coryell, of
Philadelphia. Another feature that has
retarded the work of the committee was
the uncertainty to the time the Presi-
den would arrive and how long he would
remain. Now that the Presidents itinerary
over the State is known the committee can
proceed more intelligently. 1t is agreed
that about fifteen subcommittee should be
appointed to assist in the work. Colonel
Harrison says that if the President address,
es the veterans in TomlinsOn hall some
special arrangements will be made so that
the veterans OF the civil war may be pres
ent and see and hear the President In
speaking of the coming of the President
Colonel Harrison last night remarked: 1T
is remarkable and unusual condition of
affairs that before war is officially ended
am peace is declared, a veteran of that war
should occupy the high position of Presi-
dent OF the United States. Theodore Roose-
xeIt Is the hrst veteran OF any war TO be
President before the war closed This is
true from the fact that the insurrection in
the philippines, which has Just closed was
a part of the Spanish American war and
the men who went to the Philippines to help
put down the rebellion are entitled to be
members OF our organizations and come
under the head of Spanish-American war
veterans.
In speaking of the probable work of the
convention Colonel Harrison said: THE
most important subject TO be brought be-
fore the convention will be a report of the
committee appointed to consider PROPOSE
iOii iOHe - =" NOhSOIludtlOH with the
Spanish War Veterans. The two organiza-
tions of the same scope and charac-
ter. although the Spanish American War
Veterans organization is the largest. COW
ering as 1T does every State and Territory
in the United States with camps in Cuba
Porto Rico Hawaii and the Philippines
There is a general sentiment favoring the
consolidation, although il will be opposed
by certain officers for selfish interests If
the consolidation takes place a new name
will be agreed on. The name already sug-
gested is The League of the War with
Spain. the words War with Spain being
the official title given by the War Depart
ment to the late conflict, which in some
respects was a notwithstanding war. One
fact alone made it a record breaker. This
was that two important fleets were wiped
out with the loss of one man"
Colonel Harrison says the people of the
city will be called on to contribute modest
ly in a financial way, as it will require
some funds to entertain the large crowds
that are expected.