Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-08-17
MANY ATTENDING.
Distance Does not Deter Thou.
sands from Going to G. A.
r. Encampmsnt.
SAN FRANCISCO IN GALA CARE
Gen. Miles Declines to be a Candi'
date for Office of Command
er-in-Chief.

San Francisco, Aug. 1.-THE Grand
Army of the Republic mas virtual pos
session of San Francisco. The streets
are throngcd with veterans and the
hotel Hobbies crowded to suffocation.
The sidewalks are almost impossible.
1t is estimated 10000 old soldiers have
come to attend the national encamp-
ment, which proves it to be one of
the most successful in the history of
the organization. The weather today
is perfect.
San Francisco, Cal, Aug. 1.-THE
Grand Army cncampmcnt, which for
mally opens here tomorrow, promises
to the one of the best had in years,
despite the distance most Of the vet
Grams have had to travel. There are
now 10000 members of the G.. \. Il.
in this city, and it is expected that
several thousand more Will come on
delayed trains. Yesterday 10 special
trains arrived, bringing 5000 people.
At one hotel $50 Illinois veterans are
register
The city is beautifully dcCorat ed,
the feature Of Market street being
tall poles on each side of the street
for many blocks, each surmounted by
an American flag, with cluster of
smaller flags below. From each pole
are strung lines Of electric lights
across the street. and at the junction
of Market, Third and Kcarnev streets
is big arch covered with lights and
bas-relief pictures of scenes in the
civil war.
Among prominent arrivals are Lieut..
Gen. Miles and party from Chicago.
Gen. Miles arranged for a meeting in
Chicago with several of his old army
associates and the party then crossed
the continent in special cars. Among
them were Gen. Nathan Church. Of
Ithaca. Mich; Gen. John :. McEwen,
of Albany. y. y; Maj. Black, of Val
ley Falls. y. d.; Maj. Alex. Sweeney,
of StcubenVille. Ohio. all retired from
service, and Gen. George w. Baird,
who was with Gen. Miles in his Indian
campaigns. and Col. Henry II. Adams.
cf New York The first four were ON
Gen. Miles division staff when he was
i'm command of the first two divisions
of the army corps of the army of the
Potomac.
Is Not = Candidate.
Gen. Miles was asked about the re-
ports that he was a candidate for
Grand Army commander. He said:
Il am not candidate and | would
not be candidate against Gen Black.
Black has been promised the office of
commandments by a large num-
Der of officials, and personally he is a
comnPtent man. with a splendid war
record, and fully able To fulfill the du-
ties of the office. No one would de-
cline the honor of this high Office and
no one needs to seek it.
Gen. Miles and his party drove out
to Cliff house in the afternoon, but
amazed the carriage drivers by get
ting out of the vehicles when they
had reached the entrance to Golden
Gate park on their return and walk
ing four miles to their hotel. They
said the walk would give them Il bet
ter chance to see the city and also
would give them a better appetite for
dinner.
The election of Gen. Black, of Hi
nois, as COMMUNICATIVE chief is con
coded by all. The general, who was
greatly fatigued by his overland jour
ney. has already felt the benefit of
the cool climate and declares that one
or two good nights rest would make
new man of him. Gen. FL Torrance
of Minneapolis, is strongly in favor
of Black and his support has brought
many delegations to vote for the Hi
nois man.