Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-08-18
Military, Naval and Civic
Societies in ImpOs-
ing Spectacle.
THE LINE OF MARCH
Other Proceedings At
tending Opening of
EnCamprnent.

San Francisco, Aug. 1s.-The parade
of the military, naval and civic bodies
of this city and state, which took
place this morning. furnished an inn
posing spectacle for the vast crowds
of people who packed the streets and
every point of vantage along the line
of march. 1t certainly was one of the
finest displays ever seen here. The ut
most enthusiasm prevailed among the
spectators Among the dignitaries
who rode in the carriages following
the federal and state troops were Gov.
Pardee. Gems. Macarthur, Shafter, Ste
wart and Miles, and Mayor Schmitz.
Gen. Black Favorite.
San Francisco. Cal, Aug 1S.-Senti-
ment among all the prominent dele
tions of Grand Army men here is 50
unanimous in favor of Gen. Black, of
Chicago. for commander-in-chief that
his election is regarded as assured on
the first ballot.
rs il now stands there seems little
chance of any competitor in the field.
Certain influences here are working
for Gen. Miles, and if he should gain
strength they might be able to pass "A
resolution censuring the adminiStra-
ton for its treatment of Miles. Gen.
Miles himself has declared that he will
not oppose Gen. Black. but his friends
say that il viii not he difficult to per
Suade him to enter the contest.
In the department of Texas consid-
erable i'll feeling has been aroused
over Gen. Miles. Some of the posts
favor him. but greater number favor
Black. Joseph y. Mower post passed
resolutions criticising President
Roosevelt for snubling Miles and urg-
ing the department commander and
the delegates to the eucampment to
support Miles.
Department Commander Bolton. of
Texas, is indignant over the action of
Mower post, and said: 1t is amaz-
ing that Mower post. the smallest in
| the department. having only 10 mem
bers. should arrog1tc 10 itself the
right to dictate to the department
commander and delegates how to
vote. While we admire Gen. Miles, we
cannot do otherwise than vote for
Gen. Black
Many Visit Miles.
GEN Miles was busy all day greet
ing the hundreds 6of comrades who
called to see him. s-{rhe general view
expressed by the 9naiority of those
who saw him was fhat he looked eN-
ceedingly wen and surprisingly young.
Gen Miles reitersatcs the statement
that ne is rot a candidate for com
mander-n-chief and says he will not
oppose Gen. Black in any way. Gen.
Black was likewise the center of en-
thusiastic groups of admirers, who
called at the headquarters to congrat-
ulate him on the strength of the sen
timent in his favor.
The choice of the next meeting
place seems next to the choice of
commander to be the absorbing topic.
st. Louis and Salt Lake are the chief
competitors of Denver. All three cit
les are making strong fights, but
talks with many delegates indicate
that ST. Louis stands a good chance
of capturing the prize.
Perfect system is being maintained
| by the reception committee, and
strangersa are finding themselves
among friends, an their wants being
provided for.
Great illumination.
San Francisco, Aug. 1S.-The men,
bers of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie who have been arriving by every
train for the past week to attend their
thirty-seventh annual national encamp-
ment were treateii to a genuine sur
prise ut night As darkness fell the
electric current was turned on and
suddenly as if by the call of a
magician's wand, the city was trans
formed from its daily commercial as
pect into a veritable aspect of delight.
The gothic arches spanning the prin-
cipal avenues, elaborate in their dec
orations and crowned with flags. sud
denly burst into bloom. each marvel
of color and artistic design. Posi-
bly, nothing finer had been seen in
the United States certainly nothing OF
equal beauty in this city.
The events of the day We're or the
routine order. nothing special being on
the programme. st. Louis and Salt
Lake City are the chief competitors OF
e.. q I.an nN ITO