Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-18
New COmmander-in
 Chief.
General Blackmar of Mass achusetts Elected by Ac-
 clamation Other Candi- dates Retired Ele ction of Officers in the Auxiliary Branches Business tram sacted at To- D avs Session

Boston. Aug 1S.-With three avowed candidates i'll the field the question of selecting the next commander-in-c -chief of the Grand Army of the Republic was the absorbing issue when the del egates reassembled to-day in Sym phony hall for the second days session of the national encampment conven- ton. The Massachusetts delegates went into the convention confident that their own department commander, General Willmon c. Blackmer, would easily be chosen The friends of Col onel John c. Shotts and Colonel Al bert c. Bakewell, both of the depart ment of New York, also felt certain of the excellent chances of their can didates. Every Grand Army man had recognized that General Blackmer's canvass had been the most aggressive of the three. the Massachusetts man having besides all the advantages aris- ing from the fact that the encampment was being held in his home city. On the other hand, Colonels Shotts and Balsewell had been supported by ac- tive committees who had been work ing quietly among the western dele gates. The opinion was expressed be fore to-days session was called to order that Denver, Col, would be SC, lected for the next encampment.
 Sessions were scheduled to-day for all the branch organizations of the G. A. R. in continuation of yesterday. The w R. 0. was to elect the majori- ty of the officers, while full comple- ment of officers were to be chosen by the Ladies of the G. A. R., the Daugh- ters of Veterans, the Ladies' Aid so- ciety, auxiliary to the Sons of Vet erans, and the Sons of Veterans
 Tn accordance with yesterdays vote the election of officers was the first business. Comrade John Gilman of Boston presented the name of General Blackmar. The nomination was sec. onded by states. Corporal James Tan- ner of the New York department had been chosen to present the name ot Colonel Shotts. Corporal Tanner was recognized, but instead of making the nomination he said that because 1t was apparent that General Blaekmar was the choice of the majority of the encampment he had urged Colonel Shotts to withdraw, and the speaker then formally announced the with draWal. The name of Colonel Bake wei was not presented.
 On Motion of Past Commander in Chief Wagner of Pennsylvania. the nomination of General Blackmar was made unanimous amid a tumultuOus demonstration. Colonel Shotts headed the committee which escorted General Blackmar to the platform and with the new commander in chief was loud Iy cheered. General Blackmar accept ed his office with brief, graceful speech.
 John R. King of Washington, D. C.. former commander of the department of Maryland, was chosen senior vice commander-in-chief
 The completion of the election ot officers occupied the attention of the convention of the National Women's Relief corps to-day. While the first ballot was being taken, Mrs Nancy E.. Davis of Seattle, president of the de, partment of Washington and Alaska, presented q basket of flowers to Mrs Ursula M Mattison, national senior vice president, on behalf of the depart ment.
 The delegates were slow in assem- bling for the third session of the con- vention of the Ladies of the G. A. R. After the usual opening exercises the routine proceedings were pleasantly